Here’s a presentation tip that might just change everything: write your slides at the very end. Not at the beginning. Not halfway through. Only once you know what you’re going to say.

Too often, people start with slides. They fill them with text, graphs, animations—and then build their talk around them. But that puts your visuals in control of your message, rather than the other way around. Strong presentation skills mean you lead the message. Your slides support you, not the other way round.

Start by working out what you want to say. What are your key messages? What do you want your audience to think, feel, and do? Once that’s clear, only then decide if you need slides. And if you do, ask yourself what they’re there to do. Do they help clarify? Do they simplify something? Do they add emotion?

If the answer is no, ditch them. Not every presentation needs slides. In fact, sometimes they get in the way. Audiences are there to listen to you, not to read.

Writing your slides last also helps you stay present. It stops you reading from the screen. It keeps you connected to your audience. And that’s when great presenting happens—when you’re talking with people, not pointing at a slide deck.

So next time you’re getting ready to present, leave the slides till last. Or better yet, try going without.

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https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training