Anatomy of a message-centric slide

Today, it’s easier than ever to create slides with AI. But there are dangers.

The Dangers

Watch out for data-dumping.

Do you put everything about the topic on a slide? You’re a data-dumper.

Beware the pretty-slide trap.

I’ve come to resent “pretty” slides, especially when describing a problem — which sometimes needs to look messy to get the message across. Have we become too obsessed with pretty?

It’s time to move from data-dumping to message-centric slides.

One question fixes it all:

What’s the bottom line?

Start at the bottom.

Your speaker notes are the starting point. No script allowed. Write the slide’s one-sentence message. Then work your way up.

Watch out!

A topic is a label: “Q3 Results.” A message is a claim: “Q3 revenue grew despite a shrinking market.”

Write: “This slide shows that…”

“That” forces a message, not a topic. Can’t finish it? You don’t have a message.

Message leads design.

Choose a template

Which layout fits your message? Brand templates offer different layouts. But are they setting you up to fail? Don’t default to room for text. Don’t default to bullets. Bullets encourage data-dumping.

Danger ahead.

The pretty-slide trap. A related image is decoration. Design delivers the message. Decoration out. Design in.

Focus

Point the eye at what matters. A highlight, circle, or arrow says,

“Look here.”

Message banner

Show the bottom line. A text box across the slide. Use it as your final click and your reminder to say the message.

Title last

Use a question to promo the slide. “How will the new release reduce onboarding time?” beats “New Release.” The slide will answer that question. It’s a sneak peek that gives listeners a reason to listen.

Simplify: supports or distracts?

What’s the minimum needed to illustrate the message? To simplify, you have to challenge yourself. Look at your images, graphs, words, numbers. Do they support the message or distract from it? Be brutal. Keep what supports. Remove what distracts. Stick to the minimum.

One slide. Try it.

Who’s got time for all this?

Reuse existing slides for a 10-minute upgrade. Pick one slide. Start at the speaker notes: “This slide shows that…” and complete the sentence. Ask: Does the slide deliver my message? Remove everything that doesn’t support it. Circle the most important element. Add a message banner. Craft a question to promo that slide.