Not all the videos we create go on social or the web – many are presented live, wi of PowerPoint presentations.
So if you’ve spent time perfecting your deck, practicing your delivery, maybe even planned your wardrobe for the event – how do you make sure your video takes it to the next level?
Here’s a few tips for working with videos within slide decks:
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Keep it brief
Keep your video punchy – it should support your presentation, not deliver it for you. Use video to set the mood, build energy, and bring things to life – but you should be the one providing the detail.
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Test the tech
Nothing kills momentum like a video that doesn’t play properly. Test your deck using the exact setup you’ll have on the day if possible – same screen, same speakers, same clicker. Check volume levels, too.
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Embed the video, don’t link
Embed a downloaded copy of the video file in your slide deck, rather than link to YouTube or cloud storage. It’ll make your PowerPoint file much larger, but at least you won’t be relying on flaky Wi-Fi.
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Transition in and out
Plan your transitions at the start and end of your video. If the video is on its own slide, have it autoplay so you’re not fum . And decide what happens after – do you want it to loop, hang on the final frame, or move straight on?
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Make it big
Make your video full-screen and fill the slide for impact – especially if it’s landscape. Only shrink it if you really need other context on the slide while it plays.
So those are your essentials. Keep it short, test it out, embed it, plan your transitions, and size for impact. Nail these, and the only thing your audience might forget… is that it was a PowerPoint.
