Video is now the undisputed king of mediums in business communication. HubSpot reports that 85% of companies use videos in their marketing efforts. From webinars to demos, from sales presentations to investor pitches, and from welcome videos to online tutorials, videos are the go-to channel. Clearly, video marketing is on the surge.
And video presentations are among the most widely used formats for video marketing. But how exactly can you create winning video presentations, to begin with?
Simply by signing up to InVideo for business where you get tailor-made template and video editing services on demand so you can spend your time running your business. Sign up for a free demo here.
Video Presentations Q&A
Before we get into the meat of our guide, let’s quickly answer a few commonly asked questions.
1. What is a Video Presentation?
A video presentation is a form of communicating with an audience with the aid of a video or completely using a video. The video could be made of PowerPoint slides, still images, animation, or actual video footage.
2. Why Should I use Video Presentations?
Common reasons for using videos as presentation aids include:
- Overcoming space/time limitations
- Using video as a visual aide to drive your point home
- Video enables you to compress a lot of information into a digestible size
3. How do I make a Video Presentation?
Thanks to the advancements in technology, making video presentations has become very easy. It has also become more affordable than it was a couple of years ago. While different video makers have different steps to take when making a video, here are the basic steps to follow:
- Come up with a concept for your presentation.
- Craft an engaging script.
- Decide on the visual assets (and format) you’ll use.
- Use a professional video editing app to bring it all together.
- Promote the video.
Pro tip: To make things even easier, you could sign up to InVideo for business and get presentations made for your brand using the editing-on-demand services. Sign up for a free demo here.
4. How do you begin a Presentation?
You can open your presentation in 7 ways:
1. Share an anecdote or short personal story.
2. Kick-off with a provocative statement.
3. Present a startling statistic or data.
4. Tell a good clean joke that suits the audience.
5. Ask a loaded rhetorical question.
6. Show the audience a compelling visual.
7. Hook people with a fascinating quotation.
5. How do you Make a Video Presentation with PowerPoint?
Turning a PowerPoint presentation into a video is easy. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: On the File menu, select Save to make sure you have saved all your recent work in PowerPoint presentation format (.pptx).
Step 2: On the File menu, select Save As.
Step 3: Select the folder location where you want to store your PowerPoint Show file.
Step 4: In the Save as type box, choose PowerPoint Show (*.ppsx).
Step 5: Select Save. That’s it.
Now that we’ve answered a few basic questions, let’s dig deeper into why videos are so powerful.
What Makes Video Presentations so Effective?
Why do they increase the impact of your message?
Well, it’s simple, really – people are visual creatures. This means we take in more information by watching than by reading. Remember the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Besides that, here are 4 other reasons video is so effective:
1. Conveys emotions better
No other communication channel conveys emotions better than video. That’s because video caters to the brain’s visual and auditory systems, helping the viewer pick up on cues like body language, facial expressions, imagery, and music.
2. Cements information better
According to research, people remember 10% of what they hear and 20% of what they read. However, they remember a staggering 80% of what they experienced. In short, visuals are easier to remember than text or audio because they help your audience “experience” your message. It makes video an essential part of creating presentations your audience will remember for a long time.
3. Makes it easier to digest information
Especially when explaining complicated concepts, video is a great way to present information in an easy-to-understand way. Not only is the format easy to take in, but it also makes breaking down concepts easier.
4. Builds relationships fast
I’m sure you know the marketing mantra: people buy from people they know, like, and trust. Nothing beats video in making prospects or your audience know, like, and trust you… fast. Video is an instant relationship builder. It’s the next best thing to live face-to-face communication.
A video is a great tool that has made it easier to communicate thoughts and ideas with people – not just in a room, but even across the globe.
6 Types of Video Presentations You Need to Know
Video presentations come in different flavors, depending on their purpose.
1. Educational Presentations
These are mainly used in teaching and learning sets online or in a classroom setting. These make it easier for the teacher to convey information and the students to grasp the concepts.
2. Sales Presentations
The field of sales has evolved tremendously in the past decade. With customers being savvier, sales reps must play the game well if they’re to bag sales. One way they can do that is by creating story-based sales video presentations.
3. Investor Pitches
Need to woo an investor? One of the best ways to do that is by using a video pitch. This will help you present your business plan in a visually appealing way so they can easily grasp your business concept.
4. Promotional Videos
Whether you’re promoting an existing product or a new one, video is your best bet for getting eyeballs on your product (or cause). People relate better to what they can see, making video the best medium for presenting your promotions (like product reviews, for example).
5. Employee Training and Onboarding
Video presentations are great for conducting employee training and onboarding. One of the main reasons for this is that video helps reduce the resources spent on these 2 important aspects of employee relationship management.
6. Informational Videos
As the name suggests, the informational/how-to type of presentation serves to pass on important information. Why video in this case? Because it’s more engaging and can pack a lot of information in a short clip.
Pro tip: You can get tailor-made templates to create any kind of presentation for your brand or business using InVideo for business. Sign up for a free demo here.
How to create killer Video Presentations – 4 Tips
Now you know why video presentations are important and which scenarios to use them in. Now to the fun part – tips on creating killer video presentations. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Tip #1 - Know your Audience
The most important aspect of creating a stellar presentation is to know and understand your audience. Even if you use the best video presentation maker, if you don’t target a specific, clearly defined audience, your presentation will flop. Understanding your audience will help you:
A. Communicate effectively
Effective communication involves knowing the language and examples that resonate with your audience.
B. Choose the right visuals
Certain visuals are more impactful when used on a particular audience. Study those that your audience will easily understand and relate to.
C. Connect on an emotional level
No matter the type of presentation, it’s crucial to connect with your audience on an emotional level. And to do that, you need to understand the emotional triggers to push in your video presentation.
Invest in adequate audience research. While it may be time-consuming (and a bit costly), it will pay off in the end.
Idea #2 - Brainstorm video content ideas
Now that you have gathered enough audience data, it’s time to brainstorm some content ideas. Whether you’re creating your talk solo or as a team, 3 crucial questions will lay the foundation of your brainstorming session:
1. What do you want the video to achieve?
2. Which emotions do you want the video to evoke?
3. What will visual elements help your video achieve its goal?
The answers to these questions will help guide your ideas. They are key to creating a killer video that your audience will love.
Tip #3 - Craft engaging scripts
Audience research? Check.
Great idea? Check.
Awesome!
Now we get to another interesting stage of creating great video presentations – crafting an engaging script. Whether it’s a live presentation, a webinar, or even a product review, you’ll need a great script to ensure you keep your audience engaged.
Even if you love creating impromptu videos, having a script for your video presentations is important. And no, you need not be Quentin Tarantino to produce a great video script (although it won’t hurt to learn how to become a good copywriter). Here are 3 reasons a good video script is a must:
1) Helps structure your video
To ensure your video has a smooth and progressive flow, you’ll need a good script.
2) Eliminates “dead spots”
Dead spots, or moments of inactivity, are a great turn-off in a video. They reek of unprofessionalism and can lead to your audience disengaging. The best way to eliminate dead spots is to craft a solid video script.
3) Keeps you on track
It’s very easy to get sidetracked when creating a video. However, with a script, you minimize the instances of going off-topic.
Creating scripts for your videos is a best practice that shouldn’t be overlooked. If anything, invest more in your script than the visuals as a good script can save a video with poor visuals.
Pro-tip: Once you’re confident about your script, it is time to make things even more clear. A storyboard will allow you to break down your video visually, scene by scene, describing what is happening in it.
Tip #4 - Invest in the Right Tools
With video, one thing you should never skimp on is the tools you use, particularly your video editing software. While there is a gazillion free video editing software on the market, it’s highly recommended that you use a professional video editor. And that means going the paid route.
Why should you spend on a video editor when there are countless free options available? Here’s why:
A. Get more (professional) features
Creating professional-looking videos requires a lot of resources and features. Most free video editors lack the features that will enable you to create professional videos.
B. Avoid branding and ads
With video editing software, free is never free. That’s because you pay through being forced to include the video editors brand in your work. In other words, you pay by advertising for them. Besides branding, some free video editors may subject you to irritating in-app ads.
C. Support
If there’s one thing that’s inevitable when it comes to software, it’s that one time or another you’ll encounter glitches. This is where paid video editors have a great advantage over their free counterparts – you’ll have access to customer support.
From hardware (like cameras) to software (like video editing software), the tools you use will determine the quality of your videos. Invest in professional tools, and your presentations will sweep your audience off their feet because they’ll be more polished.
Pro tip: If you don't have the time or bandwidth to find your way around an editing tool, simply sign up to InVideo for business and get presentations created using tailor-made templates and on-demand editing services. Sign up for a free demo here.
Tip #5 - Adopt Video Presentation Best Practices
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when creating presentations. Most winning video presentations are based on common fundamental principles that work. Here are some you need to know:
1) Create impactful intros (and outros)
Your intro is the most important part of your presentation as it sets the tone for the rest of the talk. If you can’t engage your audience with your intro, you probably won’t get another chance to engage them.
2) Keep it short, sharp, and sweet
No matter how engaging your video is, always remember it’s not a movie. The point is to keep your audience engaged enough to pass on your information, no more no less.
3) Be professional
Don’t throw out your professional etiquette just because you’re on (or using) video. Maintain professionalism in your video presentations by, for example, using clean language and maintaining a good posture.
4) Use quality sound
Sound plays an integral part in presentations. Whether it’s music or speech, make sure it’s crisp, clear, and audible.
By following these (and other) video presentation best practices, success is inevitable. Remember, the presentation is not about you; it’s about your audience. So, ensure that your presentations provide a good user experience for your audience.
Looking for a great Video Presentation Template? Here’s what you should consider
Templates are lifesavers. They help you create a decent presentation in a snap, even if you are a newbie.
Here are 3 simple questions to help you determine if a template is good:
1) Is it editable? – Are you able to change things like playback speed, effects, or text, so you produce something you like? Stay away from rigid templates that don’t give you the freedom to create with ease.
2) Is it customizable? – Can you design brand-specific clips using your company’s colors, fonts, and styling? Good templates give you wiggle room to include your brand’s specific needs.
3) Is it campaign-specific? – Different videos fit different scenarios. Ideally, you want templates tailored to your current campaign. That way, you have less tweaking to do because the templates are close to what you want.
Pro Tip: Get more tailor-made templates for your video presentations by signing up to InVideo for business. Sign up for a free demo here.
5 Awesome Video Presentation ideas to bring The House Down
Presentation is both an art and science. Get the balance right, and you have the audience eating out of the palm of your hand. Here are some ideas to help you do just that.
Idea #1 - Tickle them with humor
Humor is a powerful learning tool.
According to studies by Physiology Org humor leads to learning because of it:
- Attracts and sustains attention.
- Relieves tension and produces a relaxed atmosphere.
- Enhances participation.
- Increases retention and motivation.
- Bonds the student and the teacher.
However, to reap all these benefits, the humor must be appropriate and on-topic. So spice up your presentation with a joke or two. The result? Your audience will laugh and learn.
Idea #2 - Use Relevant Examples
Effective presenters use timely, powerful illustrations.
The word illustration comes from the Latin term ‘illustration,’ which means illumination. So practical examples are like windows of your presentation. They let light in. They help people see or understand the material better.
Here are 5 questions to ask about your illustrations:
1. Are they relevant to the topic?
2. Are they suited to the audience?
3. Are they suited to the time limit?
4. Are they enlightening?
5. Are they well told?
Grab compelling examples from books, movies, TV shows, history, children, current events, and captivating real-life incidents. Use good illustrations ram your points home.
Idea #3 - Wield Questions like a Ninja
Questions are an integral part of learning.
Sharp questions aid learning. Plus, they keep listeners highly engaged.
Ask questions:
- At the beginning of your presentation to draw your audience in.
- In the middle of the presentation to revive waning audience interest.
- At the end of the talk, so the audience reflects on the material.
Also, allow the audience to ask questions. When your audience asks questions, they switch from passive spectators to active participants.
Idea #4 - Be Minimal
Have you ever sat through a presentation and felt:
- Dazed?
- Confused?
- Strained?
More than likely, the reason is the presenter drowned you in a blaze of inessential stuff. There was too much going on you couldn’t cope with.
Minimalism is removing all unnecessary material, leaving only the bare minimum needed to put your points across. It means using just enough text, visuals, scenes, or slides to make the point and no more. A minimal presentation is clean and uncluttered.
Simple yet intriguing. Plain but profound. Basic but punchy.
Most importantly, it makes learning easy and enjoyable.
Idea #5 - Connect emotionally with a story
Stories are speakers’ most powerful weapons. That’s because stories play a dual purpose –
- Engage intellectually
- Connect Emotionally
And an emotional connection is key to bringing the house down with your presentation. Why?
An emotional connection:
- Endears you to your audience
- Makes your presentation memorable
- Inspires your audience to take action
By using a relevant story in your video presentation, you’ll ensure that your audience walks the entire journey with you from intro to outro.
6 PowerPoint Presentation tips to wow your audience
No business video guide is complete without PowerPoint, the staple software for business presentations.
Here are 6 golden rules to help you nail your next PowerPoint presentation and leave your audience crying for more:
1. Keep Things Simple
Legendary artist Leonardo da Vinci once said something profound:
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".
With the plethora of apps and templates at your disposal, you will be tempted to complicate things. Don’t. Keep things simple.
Simple design. Simple colors. Simple story.
People get swamped and confused by complicated stuff but easily absorb and appreciate straightforward material.
2. Good visual contrast
What use is your blockbuster presentation if the audience can’t see it?
You want people to enjoy your presentation, not endure it. If you use dark fonts on dark backgrounds or light fonts on light backgrounds, you’ll strain your audience’s eyes. They’ll struggle to see your lovely slides.
Classic black-on-white color contrast does just fine. You can use colors like red, blue, or yellow for headings and images. If you don’t like black and white, you can use other colors you prefer as long as the contrast of your combination is bold and strong.
3. Use a few words and animations
It’s easy to go overboard with fancy animations and a gushing stream of words. Only use as many words as it takes to get your point across and no more.
Too many words cause the audience to read rather than listen. Remember, your slides are there to compliment your talk, not substitute it. Also, a lot of words will fill up many slides that wear your audience down.
Ruthlessly cut out senseless animations that don’t add value to your talk.
4. Use excellent images
Images are to a presentation, what water is to fish. Without them, your presentation becomes bland. It lacks the needed fizz to keep your audience hooked. But only include relevant images.
Not only that. Above all, make sure all pictures are of high quality. Amateur-looking clip art causes the audience not to take you seriously.
Pro-tip: Get access to millions of stock assets and tailor-made templates with InVideo for business. Sign up for a free demo here.
5. Smooth and fast transitions
While PowerPoint transitions can make your presentation engaging, don’t overdo them, especially the advanced ones. Not only do they quickly drain power on weaker machines, but they also distract the audience. Stick to simpler and faster transitions like wipe or slide.
6. Avoid overloading your slides
In presentations, less is more.
Having a lot going on your screen confuses and overwhelms listeners.
Cramming too much info into your slides is a big no-no. Clutter is your enemy. Strip your slides down to essential words and images. Your audience will love you for it and leave you with many takeaways.
Pro looking Video Presentations – No longer an option
With Industry 4.0 fast coming into its own, going digital is no longer an option for businesses and speakers.
And one of the most important communication mediums in the digital age is video. That’s why you can’t afford to ignore video any more. Whether you’re speaking before a live audience or seeking to disseminate information to a global audience, video presentations are the way to go.
Need a great tool to create stunning video presentations? Then make sure to schedule a demo and see just how much you can do with InVideo for business.
