Let Your Slides Be Your Guide

Your Story, Told In Slides

Being an entrepreneur or a leader is a climb—there’s no other way to put it. It’s challenging, exhilarating, and full of moments that push you beyond your limits. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the tools that make this climb easier, and one keeps coming to mind: the ability to give a great presentation. I’m not just saying this because being a professional public speaker is at the heart of how I practice leadership. Presenting is a skill every leader and business owner needs, and it can feel like a climb in itself.

So, come with me on a journey and picture it with me while I lean into the metaphor of mountain climbing. After all, public speaking is one of the most common professional fears, but overcoming it can feel as thrilling as summiting a peak. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Your slides, when thoughtfully designed, can be your partner, co-adventurer, and trusted guide. They won’t climb the mountain for you—that’s your job. But they’ll point you in the right direction, keep you on track, and help you lead your audience to the top of your message.

The key is to remember that slides aren’t an instruction manual, they’re a map. They give structure to your presentation without distracting from your story. And when you get them right, they allow you to connect with your audience in a way that’s clear, compelling, and memorable. Let’s dive into what it takes to make your slides your Sherpa on the way to the public speaking summit.

What Makes Slides an Effective Guide?

An effective slide is a waypoint. It gives just enough information to help you (and your audience) stay oriented without overwhelming anyone with unnecessary details. Think of it like a road sign: simple, clear, and easy to follow. Compare that to a GPS that tries to give you every possible turn, hazard, and detail all at once—it’s too much, and it pulls your focus from the road ahead.

Likewise, the data, project, and information your slides are based on might go deep, but that doesn’t mean all of the details should make it into your live presentation. Here’s where most presenters go wrong: too many slides, too much text, and too many ideas crammed into one speech or meeting. It’s the equivalent of overpacking for a hike—you’re weighed down by things you don’t need, and it makes the journey harder for everyone. Your slides aren’t there to carry the weight of your message; they’re there to guide the journey.

Here’s what works: simplicity, focus, and a bit of conversational, relatable strategy. When your slides are lean and purposeful, they support your storytelling and keep your audience engaged.

Why Slides Matter: The Balance of Information and Connection

In the earliest days of my career, my team was so into the art of improvisation, role-playing, and experiential learning that we decided to abandon slides altogether. We thought, “let’s differentiate ourselves by removing them completely.” And while it was a bold experiment and helped us sharpen our skill at storytelling, over time, we realized that something was missing. Clients began asking for slides—not to replace the interactivity, but to balance it. The visual anchor of a presentation made everything feel more complete, more polished, and more grounded. Slides became an essential backdrop to support the learning experience.

For speakers who lean heavily on interactivity, slides can provide structure. For those on the other side—presenters who are all information and limited engagement—slides should help visually lighten the load and make the experience more relatable. The real magic lies in finding the balance: enough content to provide a visual map, but not so much that it takes over the show.

And here’s an important call-out: even with the help of AI- a great way to advance- mastering the art of slides is a skill every speaker must still develop firsthand. AI is fantastic for brainstorming, outlining, and generating ideas, but you, the speaker, must shape the rhythm, pace, and tone of your presentation. Your slides need to sound like you. Be the director of your own story—use AI as a tool, not a shortcut, and craft visuals that are uniquely yours.

The Climb: A Journey Through Your Presentation

If every great presentation is a journey, your slides are the map. Here’s how to think about the phases of your presentation as a climb:

1. Preparation: The Pre-Climb Essentials
   Before the climb, you prepare your route and pack your gear. This is where you plan your presentation, decide on the key points, and design your slides. Start by identifying your main goal: what’s the key takeaway you want the audience to leave with? Then pack only the essentials. Aim for slides that are clean, concise, and visually engaging. What would you say if you only had 10 minutes? What if you only had one? Remember, every slide should serve a purpose and less is more.
   
   
2. The Ascent: Building Toward the Peak
   This is the heart of your presentation. Each slide should act as a waypoint, helping the audience climb closer to the big idea. Use minimal text—aim for no more than 10-12 words per slide—and pair it with a strong, singular image. This keeps the focus on your message and prevents your slides from competing with you for attention.
   
   
3. Rest Stops: Palate Cleansers Along the Way
   Just like climbers need moments to catch their breath, your audience needs mental breaks. A slide that signals a transition—something as simple as “Now, let’s explore the findings”—gives the audience a chance to process what they’ve just heard and get ready for what’s next. These rest stops keep the journey manageable and help your audience stay with you all the way to the top.
   
   
4. The Summit: The Pinnacle Moment
   This is the peak of your presentation, the moment where you deliver your big idea. By now, your slides have set the stage, and you can focus entirely on delivering your message with impact. This is where you plant the flag, so to speak, leaving the audience with the core insight you’ve been building toward.
   
   
5. The Descent: Bringing It Home
   Just as important as reaching the summit is the journey back down. Your closing slides should help the audience reflect on what they’ve learned, for example reminding them: “So far we’ve covered these key points…” then you should leave them feeling inspired and ready to act: “so now, here’s what we can do about it!”. This is the victory lap, where you remind them of the take-aways and what they should focus on next.

OK, Let’s Play: Build Slides That Guide

Slides can make or break your presentation. Use them wisely, and they’ll become your greatest ally. Let’s make sure they guide your audience on an engaging and memorable journey.

Ready: Commit to designing slides that amplify your story, not overshadow it. Simple wins.

Set: Streamline your slides, using them as waypoints to guide your audience without overwhelming them.

Go:

• Write Less: Aim to limit text to 10-12 words or fewer per slide. Be concise and clear.
  
• Use One Clear Image: A single powerful image is far more effective than a cluttered collage or a mishmash of visuals.
  
• Include Rest Stops: Add slides that signal transitions or give the audience a chance to pause and refocus.
  
• Think Beyond the Slides: Don’t feel pressured to cram everything into your presentation. Save extra details for a handout or follow-up email.
  
  

Your Slides By Your Side

A great presentation is a shared journey, and your slides are there to help guide the way. By keeping them lean, focused, and purposeful, you’ll create a presentation that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact. Remember, your slides don’t tell the story—you do. They’re the guide, not the Hero- that’s your title.

So, pack your gear, plan your route, and start your climb. The summit is waiting, and with the right slides, you’ll lead your audience there with confidence.
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Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!