What techniques do you use to keep a business presentation engaging when dealing with dry or technical material?

1. Use Visuals: But Make Them Fun Charts are fine, but how about a pie chart shaped like an actual pie? Spice up those slides with relatable visuals, icons, or memes. A picture is worth a thousand words, and in your case, it might just be worth keeping people awake. Definitely use VIDEO or your favorite song from Spotify - liven it up!

2. Add a Little Humor (But Don’t Go Overboard): Drop a funny analogy, like "If our product were a superhero, it’d be ‘Captain Efficiency’—faster than a speeding email and more powerful than a Zoom call!" To be clear - don't make fun at your boss. A little humor goes a long way—just keep it relevant and avoid turning your presentation into a stand-up routine.

These three tricks will keep your audience engaged and maybe even make them laugh—because who says technical material can’t have a sense of humor?

When I’m designing a presentation with dry or technical material, I focus on keeping the audience visually engaged. I simplify complex ideas by breaking them down into clear, digestible visuals. This way, the design doesn’t overwhelm but helps guide the audience. I recommend using storytelling techniques within the design, creating a flow that ties data to real-world examples and outcomes.

In my opinion, clean and simple visuals are crucial—cluttered slides can lose people quickly. Breaking up long sections with well-designed dividers or white space helps the information breathe, making it easier to follow. Lastly, I incorporate relatable, real-world visuals that connect the technical details to everyday understanding. This way, even the most technical content feels approachable and visually interesting.

Let's face it: some business presentations can be as dry as the Sahara desert. But fear not! With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of humor, you can transform your potentially snooze-inducing talk into an engaging experience that keeps your audience on their toes (and awake).

Try using relatable analogies to explain complex concepts, or weave a compelling narrative around your data. For instance, compare your ROI analysis to baking a cake, or turn those quarterly reports into a thrilling saga of numbers rising and falling like a stock market rollercoaster. Just remember, your goal is to elicit chuckles, not guffaws - save your spreadsheet stand-up routine for after-work drinks.

Don't forget to incorporate interactive elements and unexpected visual aids.

Engage your audience with interactive elements and creative visual aids. Instead of traditional charts, why not use props or real-world objects to represent data? For example, stack different colored building blocks to show market segments, or use a slinky to demonstrate business cycles. These tangible representations can make abstract concepts more memorable.

 By making your presentation more relatable and dynamic, you'll increase the chances of your message resonating long after the meeting ends. 

To keep your business presentation engaging, focus on clear and impactful design — but don't stop there.

Make It Clear: Your slides should be easy to read and understand. Opt for concise text and rely on visuals to convey your message. A well-structured slide makes it simple for your audience to grasp the main points. McKinsey-style titles are great for this—they give your audience a clear takeaway.

One Idea Per Slide: Stick to one point per slide. Avoid crowding your slides with multiple ideas. This keeps your audience's attention on what really matters.

Add Emotion: If possible, bring in a story or emotional element. It helps make your presentation more relatable and keeps your audience engaged.

Find Your Passion: If you can't add a story, focus on what genuinely interests you about the topic, even if it’s a small detail. Your energy will naturally draw in your audience and make the presentation more dynamic.

These strategies will help you create a presentation that not only delivers your message but keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.