Sometimes as a presenter, the last thing you want to worry about is when to click to the next slide. Whether it be the distraction of knowing when to click next or the inevitable brain blank that interrupts what comes next, clicking through slides can be difficult.
If you are the type of presenter who is easily distracted, we have a solution for you. Trade out the need for a clicker by exporting your presentation as a video! Exporting your presentation as a video does require you to stick to the script and follow along faithfully, and you don’t have the ability to adapt on the fly. But you will know that you will be presenting in a distraction-free scenario, which gives you added confidence that your presentation will flow exactly as planned.
We recommend using this method for keynote speeches or presentations where you will be sticking closely to a manuscript. This will ensure that you stay on pace with the video and deliver a knock-out presentation.
If this type of presentation sounds appealing to you, we put together a quick tutorial on how to make it happen.
In order to ensure the timing is correct for your slide transitions, you will need to record your PowerPoint. During this step you can also include a voiceover if you plan to send the video alone. To find out how, check out this article from our team. However, if you are planning to deliver the presentation live using the video, simply press Record Presentation in the toolbar and begin clicking through your deck directly in line with your manuscript.
Once you have recorded any slide timings, transitions, and narration, you will follow the next steps to save correctly.
Step 1: On the File menu, click Save to ensure your recent work is saved in its native PowerPoint file format.
Step 2: Click File > Export > Create a Video.
Step 3: Under the first drop-down under Create a Video, select the video quality you would like to use. Bear in mind the higher the resolution, the larger the file. So be sure to test how high of a file you can manage with your device. With that in mind, we recommend saving the highest resolution you can handle to have the highest quality possible.
Step 4: The second drop-down box under the Create a Video heading tells whether your presentation includes narration and timings; be sure to select the appropriate setting for your presentation.
Important Note: If you haven’t recorded timed narration, by default the value is Don’t Use Recorded Timings and Narrations. The default time spent on each slide is 5 seconds. You can change that timing in the Seconds option to spend on each slide box. If you have recorded a timed narration, by default the value is Use Recorded Timings and Narrations.
Step 5: Click Create Video, then enter a file name and click Save.
Step 6: In the Save As type box, choose either MPEG-4 Video or Windows Media Video.
You can track the progress of your video by viewing the status bar at the bottom of the screen. For large files, we recommend setting your video to be created overnight as they can take several hours to complete.
Once your video is complete, it is time to practice. With this style of presentation, it is more important than ever to practice your presentation pacing and flow many times. You will need to memorize your timing and delivery to ensure you keep in time with the video on presentation day.
The video PowerPoint is a great tool for the presenter who wants to press play and focus primarily on their content rather than their deck. While these require more practice, they also ensure that you deliver a clean and professional deck without the distractions of technology.
Do you have a presentation coming up that you are not ready for? Contact our team today to find out how we can help take the stress out of presentation creation.
