Presentation Design: Do it Yourself or Hire an Expert

Thanks to programs like Powerpoint and Keynote, anyone can throw together a bunch of slides in no time at all. But should they?  DIY (do it yourself) does not always translate into DIW (do it well)

60% of employees reported that they struggle to create engaging and visually appealing presentations.  Source: Slideshare.  Giving a presentation can be stressful, but preparing for one doesn’t have to be.

The effectiveness of the person delivering the content to the audience is only one piece of the puzzle in putting together an effective presentation. The quality and appeal of the content they are delivering are just as important. If you are no stranger to designing and delivering presentations, then none of this is probably new to you. But for anyone that struggles to create visually appealing presentations, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might be better served in hiring a professional presentation designer instead of winging it on your own.

Professionalism:

This is not to say anyone would intentionally create an unprofessional presentation, but the truth is we just don’t know what we don’t know. Someone could be the greatest artist in the world yet not be qualified to paint their house, just like the most mechanically inclined person might not be great at fixing their own car. There is a reason specialized professionals exist, and there is no shame in leaning on someone with more experience. A top notch designer will ensure your presentation is polished and professional, helping you to deliver a visually appealing presentation that is sure to capture your audience.

Time Saving: 

Whether you have created one presentation or a hundred, the process can still be quite cumbersome and time consuming. Unless designing presentations is your full-time job (in which case you can probably stop reading now), chances are there are plenty of other areas you need to focus on – many of which you are far more qualified to handle. Why spend time getting frustrated on something you don’t like doing or are not good at when there are better options. Think about it like this; you could mow your own lawn but is that really what you want to be doing on a weekend on the hottest day of the year? That’s why there are professionals!

Expertise:

There is much more involved in creating an effective presentation than just putting words and images on slides. Presentation designers have a deep understanding of visual styles and the principles of design. They can help you bring your slides to life in a way you would never have thought of yourself. 

Customization:

A presentation designer can tailor your presentation to address any specific needs you may have while keeping the audience experience in mind.  They can curate content, create custom graphics, animations, and other visual elements to help you stand out and leave a lasting impression. 

Consistency:

Besides boring and unengaging, a disjointed presentation might be one of the quickest ways to lose the interest of your audience. You might have the best of intentions in packing your slides full of images you love, content you’ve repurposed, and any other elements you may personally be biased toward – because they are your own. But a good presentation designer will ensure all slides are consistent in terms of design, branding, and messaging. This will remove any gaps or redundancies and make you come across like the consummate professional you are.

If after reading all the benefits of working with a professional designer you are still not sure if you would be better off going it alone, please take the time to reach out for a chat. DIY (do it yourself) does not always translate into DIW (do it well) and life does not give us many opportunities to make second first impressions. Let a professional designer take the responsibility for capturing your audience’s attention and leaving your indelible mark on their minds.