What is a Digital Presentation? Types, Tools, and Best Practices

A digital presentation is a multimedia way to share information using slides displayed on screens. Unlike printed materials, digital presentations can include animations, videos, and interactive elements.

Types of Digital Presentations

Slide-Based Presentations

The most common type. Tools like PowerPoint create sequential slides.

Best for:

• Business meetings
• Educational lectures
• Conference talks
• Sales pitches

Tools: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, Canva

Video Presentations

Pre-recorded presentations with voiceover or presenter video.

Best for:

• Training materials
• Product demos
• Async communication
• Social media content

Tools: Loom, Camtasia, Synthesia

Interactive Presentations

Allow audience participation and non-linear navigation.

Best for:

• Workshops
• Self-paced learning
• Product showcases
• Webinars

Tools: Prezi, Mentimeter, Slido

Pitch Decks

Specialized presentations for investors and stakeholders.

Best for:

• Startup funding
• Business proposals
• Partnership pitches

Tools: Beautiful.ai, Pitch, Slidebean

Portfolio Presentations

Showcase creative work visually.

Best for:

• Design portfolios
• Photography
• Case studies

Tools: Adobe Portfolio, Behance, PDF presentations

Popular Presentation Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Pros:

• Industry standard
• Comprehensive features
• Offline capability
• Familiar interface

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Can feel dated
• Large file sizes

Google Slides

Pros:

• Free
• Real-time collaboration
• Cloud-based
• Easy sharing

Cons:

• Requires internet
• Fewer features than PowerPoint
• Limited offline mode

Apple Keynote

Pros:

• Beautiful templates
• Smooth animations
• Free for Apple users
• Clean interface

Cons:

• Apple ecosystem only
• Compatibility issues with PC

Canva

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Great templates
• Free tier available
• Brand kit features

Cons:

• Limited advanced features
• Requires internet
• Can look "templated"

Prezi

Pros:

• Non-linear format
• Zooming interface
• Engaging visuals

Cons:

• Can cause motion sickness
• Steep learning curve
• Subscription required

Key Elements of Digital Presentations

Visual Design

• Consistent theme - Use one color scheme and font family
• White space - Don't overcrowd slides
• High-quality images - Avoid pixelated graphics
• Readable text - Minimum 24pt for body text

Content Structure

1. Title slide - Topic and presenter info
2. Agenda - What you'll cover
3. Body slides - Main content
4. Summary - Key takeaways
5. Call to action - What to do next
6. Q&A slide - For questions

Multimedia Elements

• Images - Support your points visually
• Charts - Visualize data clearly
• Videos - Embed for demonstrations
• Animations - Guide attention (use sparingly)
• Audio - Narration or background music

Best Practices

Design Tips

Do	Don't
Use 6 words per line max	Write paragraphs
One idea per slide	Overcrowd with info
Use contrast	Use similar colors for text/background
Align elements	Scatter content randomly
Use professional images	Use clip art

Content Tips

The 10-20-30 Rule (Guy Kawasaki):

• 10 slides maximum
• 20 minutes maximum
• 30pt font minimum

Tell a story:

• Hook your audience early
• Build tension/curiosity
• Deliver value
• End with clear next steps

Delivery Tips

• Practice - Know your content
• Eye contact - Look at audience, not screen
• Pace - Don't rush through slides
• Engage - Ask questions, encourage interaction
• Backup plan - Have PDF version in case tech fails

Creating Digital Presentations

Step 1: Plan Your Content

• Define your goal
• Know your audience
• Outline key points
• Gather supporting materials

Step 2: Design Your Slides

• Choose a template or create custom design
• Add content in logical order
• Include visuals for each point
• Keep text minimal

Step 3: Add Multimedia

• Insert relevant images
• Create or import charts
• Embed videos if helpful
• Add subtle animations

Step 4: Review and Refine

• Check for typos
• Ensure consistency
• Test all links and videos
• Get feedback from others

Step 5: Prepare for Delivery

• Practice your timing
• Prepare for questions
• Export backup formats
• Test on presentation equipment

Sharing Digital Presentations

Live Presentation

Present in person or via video call using screen share.

PDF Export

Convert to PDF for static sharing:

1. Export from your tool
2. Upload to LinkyHost
3. Share the link

Video Recording

Record your presentation with narration:

1. Use Loom, Zoom, or built-in recording
2. Export as video
3. Share via LinkyHost or video platform

Online Sharing

• Google Slides: Share link directly
• PowerPoint: Upload to OneDrive or SharePoint
• Canva: Share via Canva link

View Presentations Online

Use LinkyHost PPTX Viewer to view PowerPoint files without PowerPoint installed.

Presentation Formats Compared

Format	Editable	Interactive	File Size	Universal
PPTX	Yes	Yes	Large	Needs app
PDF	Limited	No	Medium	Universal
Google Slides	Yes	Yes	Cloud	Needs account
Video	No	No	Very large	Universal
HTML	Yes	Possible	Small	Universal

Industry-Specific Presentations

Business/Corporate

• Clean, professional design
• Company branding
• Data-driven content
• Clear action items

Education

• Engaging visuals
• Interactive elements
• Step-by-step explanations
• Review slides

Sales/Marketing

• Compelling storytelling
• Customer testimonials
• Competitive comparisons
• Strong CTA

Creative/Design

• Visual-heavy
• Portfolio showcases
• Brand storytelling
• Unique layouts

Accessibility Considerations

Make presentations accessible to all:

• Alt text for images
• Color contrast for readability
• Large fonts (24pt minimum)
• Captions for videos
• Simple language for clarity
• Logical structure for screen readers

FAQ

What file format should I save my presentation?

• For editing: Native format (PPTX, KEY, etc.)
• For sharing: PDF (universal) or original with viewer link
• For web: HTML or Google Slides link

How many slides should I have?

Rule of thumb: 1 slide per minute of presentation time. A 15-minute presentation = approximately 15 slides.

How do I share a presentation without PowerPoint?

1. Export as PDF
2. Upload to LinkyHost
3. Share the link

Or use PPTX Viewer to view PowerPoint online.

What's the best aspect ratio?

• 16:9 - Standard for modern screens
• 4:3 - Older format, still used sometimes
• 16:10 - Some laptop screens

Can I present without internet?

Yes, download your presentation for offline use:

• PowerPoint: Save locally
• Google Slides: Make available offline
• PDF: Always works offline

Summary

Digital presentations are:

• Multimedia slide-based communications
• Used for business, education, and sales
• Created with tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva

Best practices:

• Keep slides simple and visual
• One idea per slide
• Practice your delivery
• Have backup formats

To share:

• Export as PDF for universal access
• Use LinkyHost for tracking
• View PPTX online at LinkyHost Viewer