Why You Should Stop Using Slide Count as a Stop Watch

In the world of presentation design, there is a common misconception that the number of slides in a presentation is equal to the amount of time it will take to present.

While this could be true for long-winded, unrehearsed speakers, the underlying culprit isn’t the number of slides.

It’s the amount of content.

To put it another way, the time it takes to present a slide deck does not directly correlate to the number of slides you’re presenting.

As a presentation designer and consultant for high-level marketing executives, I often encounter clients who attempt to reduce their speaking time by arbitrarily limiting slide count and condensing slides—not editing or cutting content, just merging multiple slides into one.

The Problem With Condensing Slides

There is a distinct difference between condensing slides and editing them.

When you condense, you’re truncating messages to fit more into less space. You’re not actually eliminating any ideas. This results in information overload and illegibility, and reduces efficacy, comprehension, and retention. No one wins. You fail at sharing what’s most important, and your audience absorbs less.

Here’s why:

• Dense slides lack focus and hierarchy.
• They contain competing ideas, messages, and visuals.
• The big idea gets lost in the details.
• The audience reads ahead, so what they’re reading doesn’t align with what the speaker is sayingin that moment.

So rather than saving time, you’re actually just cramming too much information into fewer slides and confusing your audience. Whether you have one slide or three, it takes the same amount of time to present—and absorb—three separate ideas.

So why not make it easy for your audience to follow along by sticking to one idea per slide?

Edit to Distill

Rather than overstuff your slides, focus on distilling your presentation down to only the most critical highlights, with one idea per slide, then pair it with a visual element that supports your message.

When you present one idea at a time, you’re showing your audience empathy by allowing them to focus on one thought. They’re more likely to hear your message and retain information, increasing the effectiveness of your presentation.

When I edit, I think about holding onto the core meaning or essence of a slide and removing everything else. So how do you say everything you need to say with less space?

• Amplify each idea by adding emphasis through visual cues and modifying language.
• For each slide, incorporate the “CliffsNotes” version of your idea as the main message—the one thing you want your audience to remember.
• Remove everything else and integrate it into your script.

Only show your audience what they absolutely need to see, and use your voice as the most powerful tool for delivering your presentation.

Could You Use a Hand?

It’s no secret that editing is the most time-consuming and difficult aspect of writing. It’s even more true with presentations. As one of my clients puts it, “The art of reduction takes time, patience, and diligence.” I would add that the payoff is huge when you have a powerful, concise presentation.

Sometimes it takes an expert’s eye on your ideas to define your story and presentation. If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to drop us a line at hello@studioe6.com, or schedule a call with us at https://calendly.com/scott-studioe6. With our help, we can elevate your story and presentation to the next level—one thought, and one slide, at a time.