How to Make a Killer Presentation [+ How to Deliver It]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- Oct 3
- 7 min read
Ben, one of our clients, asked us an interesting question while we were designing his latest presentation. He said,
"How do I make a killer presentation that actually sticks with people?"
Our Creative Director replied,
"You make them feel what’s at stake."
As a presentation design agency, we work on many killer presentations throughout the year, and in the process, we’ve observed one common challenge: brilliant people often overestimate how much content alone can hold attention.
In this blog, we’ll talk about how to make a killer presentation & deliver it.
In case you didn't know, we specialize in only one thing: making presentations. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
What We Mean by a Killer Presentation
Before you start thinking about slides and animations, let’s be clear on what a killer presentation actually is. We believe it comes down to three things:
It grabs attention immediately
A killer presentation doesn’t ease in. It opens with a moment that makes people stop scrolling, stop thinking about their emails, and actually focus on you. This could be a bold statement, a surprising statistic, or a story that makes them lean in. If the first few seconds don’t hook them, the rest of your slides won’t matter.
It communicates one clear message
No one remembers a hundred points. A killer presentation has a single, central idea that runs through every slide. Every example, every graph, every visual should reinforce that core message. If your audience walks away remembering only one thing, make sure it’s exactly what you want them to remember.
It connects emotionally
Facts alone don’t persuade. Numbers alone don’t inspire. What makes a presentation killer is the ability to make your audience feel something. Whether it’s excitement, urgency, or even discomfort, emotion drives engagement and retention. People remember how you made them feel long after they forget the specifics.
How to Make a Killer PowerPoint Presentation in 8 Steps
We’ve learned that the real power lies in structure, clarity, and the emotional impact of your story. If your slides are simply a collection of bullet points and graphs, you might as well email your deck instead of presenting it.
Let’s break down exactly how you can make a killer presentation that people will actually remember.
1. Define your core message
Everything begins with clarity. Before creating slides, decide on the one central idea you want your audience to remember.
For instance, if your presentation is about increasing sales efficiency, your core message could be: “Optimizing our customer journey can increase revenue by 20%.”
Every slide, chart, and anecdote should reinforce this message. Resist the temptation to include interesting-but-irrelevant details—they dilute impact. Defining your core message upfront also makes it easier to structure content and maintain focus.
2. Outline the narrative
Think of your presentation as a story, not a list of points. A strong narrative has a beginning, middle, and end.
For example, in a presentation about workplace productivity, start by highlighting the problem: declining efficiency. In the middle, present supporting evidence such as case studies, statistics, or expert insights that explain why this is happening.
Conclude with solutions, like flexible work hours or better project management tools.
Following a narrative structure keeps your audience engaged and makes complex information easier to digest because it’s framed as a journey rather than random facts.
3. Map your slide flow
Once you have a narrative, break it down into individual slides. Each slide should represent one idea to avoid overwhelming your audience.
For example, instead of listing all five productivity challenges on a single slide, dedicate a slide to each: lack of focus, unclear goals, inefficient tools, poor communication, and burnout. Group these under a clear section heading such as “The Challenges We Face” so your audience can process each point individually.
Flow matters as much as content; when slides transition logically, the audience can follow your story without effort.
4. Prioritize simplicity in design
Clarity in design is essential. Overcrowded slides distract rather than inform.
For instance, instead of a slide with multiple bullet points: “Reduce emails, adopt project management software, encourage breaks, schedule weekly check-ins”, break it into four separate slides, each with a single sentence, a relevant icon, and a simple image.
This approach ensures the audience can focus on one concept at a time. Use hierarchy to guide attention—headings should be bold and readable, subpoints smaller but clear. Stick to 2-3 fonts and a simple color palette. Whitespace isn’t empty space—it’s breathing room for your content.
5. Visualize data effectively
Numbers only matter if they are easy to understand. Use charts, graphs, and diagrams to highlight trends, comparisons, or key insights rather than presenting tables full of raw figures.
For example, instead of showing quarterly sales as a table, use a line graph with a callout like “Notice the 15% increase after implementing our new strategy”.
This makes the insight instantly recognizable. Visual cues like arrows, color highlights, or annotations help guide interpretation without overwhelming the slide.
6. Use visuals to reinforce your narrative
Every image, icon, or illustration should have a clear purpose.
In a presentation about remote work, a photo of a collaborative video call can illustrate your point about maintaining team connection, while an icon of a clock next to a slide on flexible hours reinforces the concept visually.
Avoid filler graphics; they waste attention. Each visual should either explain, emphasize, or evoke emotion in line with your story. High-quality visuals also signal professionalism and credibility.
7. Maintain consistency and branding
Consistency enhances professionalism and keeps the audience focused on the content rather than design inconsistencies. Use the same color palette throughout, stick to one font family, and align layouts consistently.
If your presentation represents your brand, include subtle brand elements like logos, icons, or color accents.
For example, all section headers might use the brand’s primary color, and charts can adopt the secondary palette. Consistency reduces cognitive load, allowing your audience to focus on the story rather than adjusting to changing visuals.
8. Refine and edit ruthlessly
Finally, review your presentation critically. Ask yourself whether each slide supports your core message. Remove anything unnecessary or repetitive.
For example, if you included a slide about office furniture options but it doesn’t impact productivity, it should go. Aim for each slide to communicate its point in under five seconds.
A killer presentation is concise, coherent, and visually clean. Reviewing slide order, flow, and visual consistency ensures the narrative is smooth, logical, and professional.
How to Deliver this Killer Presentation
1. Leverage pacing and rhythm
A common mistake is to rush through slides or dwell too long on a single point. A killer presentation has rhythm. Vary slide length, switch between visuals and text, and pause strategically to let key ideas sink in.
Short bursts of information
One main idea per slide keeps attention sharp.
Pause for emphasis
Silence after a big point makes it memorable.
Change slide type
Mixing graphs, photos, and minimal-text slides keeps the experience dynamic.
2. Anticipate audience questions
Part of making a killer presentation is thinking ahead. What questions will your audience have? What objections might they raise? Preparing for these allows you to weave answers into your slides, making the deck feel responsive and thoughtful.
Include backup slides
For technical or detailed questions, have additional slides ready, but keep them hidden during the main presentation.
Highlight common objections
Address them proactively with data or examples.
Signal understanding
Phrases like “You might be wondering…” show empathy and anticipation.
3. Make your final slide unforgettable
Your last slide should be the one your audience remembers. It’s your mic-drop moment. Think beyond “Thank You” slides. A killer presentation leaves a visual imprint:
Use a bold quote, statistic, or visual that reinforces your key message
End with a challenge, call to action, or thought-provoking statement
Avoid clutter; make it visually striking and conceptually clear
4. Test, refine, and rehearse
Even the most well-designed presentation will falter if it’s not practiced. Rehearse out loud, time yourself, and refine slides that feel confusing or unnecessary. Testing with a small audience or colleague can reveal areas that need tightening.
Time each section
Know how long you spend on each part
Check slide flow
Ensure transitions feel natural and logical
Rehearse with visuals
Make sure animations, charts, and images enhance rather than distract
Creating a killer PowerPoint presentation is not about luck or innate talent. It’s about discipline, clarity, structure, and emotional resonance. When you combine these elements, your deck doesn’t just present information—it tells a story that sticks, motivates, and inspires.
Why Audience Engagement is the Big Part of Giving a Killer Presentation
You can have the slickest slides, the clearest narrative, and the most compelling data, but if your audience isn’t engaged, none of it matters. Audience engagement is the difference between a presentation that is remembered and one that is forgotten the moment you step off stage. When people are actively involved, they absorb your message more deeply, respond emotionally, and are far more likely to act on what you’re presenting.
Engagement also gives you real-time feedback. When your audience reacts, asks questions, or participates, you know what’s landing and what isn’t. This allows you to adjust on the fly, clarify points, and emphasize ideas that resonate. A killer presentation is not a monologue—it’s a conversation, a shared experience. The more you connect and involve your audience, the more powerful and memorable your presentation becomes.
Questions We Often Hear on This Topic
How long should a killer presentation be?
Focus on quality over quantity. Most killer presentations are concise and structured to hold attention, typically 15-30 minutes depending on the audience. Every slide should serve a clear purpose.
Can a PowerPoint presentation be killer without visuals?
Visuals help, but the core of a killer presentation is your narrative and delivery. Even minimal slides can be effective if your story is strong, your message clear, and your audience engaged.
Do I need to memorize my slides to deliver a killer presentation?
Not exactly. You should know your flow and key points, but reading word-for-word is risky. Speak naturally, let the slides guide you, and focus on connecting with the audience rather than reciting text.
Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?
If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.