Why Most Presentations Fail — and How to Make Yours Stick

We have all sat through them: a slideshow with 46 bullet points on one slide, a nervous candidate reading every word, a grant pitch that starts with a logo and ends with blank stares. Bad presentations are everywhere. But great ones? They are rare — and powerful.

My background is extensively as a presentation designer. I have been doing it for Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years. I have designed for Salesforce, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Workday, NetSuite, and too many more to list. So here is what makes the difference — whether it is for a boardroom, a ballot, or a broadband grant.

01Too Many Presenters Focus on What They Want to Say

The first mistake is making the presentation about you. You want to inform, convince, impress. But your audience is wondering:

• What does this mean for me?
• Why should I care right now?
• Can I trust this person?

Good presentations answer those questions quickly — and keep answering them every few slides.

02Slides Should Support You, Not Suffocate You

If your slides are doing all the talking, what are you there for? Text-heavy slides signal: "I am going to read this to you." We help clients strip things down:

• One idea per slide
• One headline that says something real
• One image, chart, or phrase that helps it land

03Delivery Matters More Than You Think

Even a great slide deck can fall flat if your delivery is nervous, rushed, or robotic. If you are uncomfortable presenting, we can help you:

• Slow down — especially at the beginning and end
• Make eye contact — even over Zoom
• Tell stories — even in technical briefings

You do not have to be theatrical. You have to be present. And I have been a performing musician for almost 40 years — so I got you.

04Design Equals Clarity, Not Just Looks

I can not believe this is still true, but it is: Comic Sans grant decks, beige-and-maroon council slides, 3D pie charts in 2025. Design is not about being pretty. It is about:

• Making your point clear at a glance
• Guiding the eye in the right order
• Choosing fonts, colors, and layout that support your tone

If your message matters, then so does how you show it.