10 types of presentations you need to understand before making your next presentation

Presentations are a powerful communication tool, but that’s the thing with tools, they only work right if they’re chosen correctly. Whether you're selling a product, pitching to investors, training employees, or inspiring an audience, the way you structure your presentation and deliver your presentation can make all the difference.

What’s the catch here?

Not all presentations are the same, and not all presentations work the same!  Each serves a different purpose, follows a unique structure, and requires a specific approach to be effective. Some are made to inform people, while others are meant to persuade them. Understanding the different types of presentations and how to create them effectively is essential for anyone in business, education, or leadership.

This is why, we’ve come up with this guide, breaking down the 10 most important types of presentations, real-world examples, practical use cases, and expert tips to help you make a great presentation for any situation. Hope your reading glasses are on, because this is going to take a lot of actual “reading”, and not just scrolling!

1. Informative Presentations

What Is an Informative Presentation?

An informative presentation is designed to educate an audience by providing clear, factual, and well-structured information. It’s about delivering knowledge in an engaging way. Think of this as the "just the facts, please" type of presentation.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Informative Presentations

1. Industry Reports- The finance team presenting market trends and economic forecasts.
2. Research Findings- A scientist sharing new medical research at a conference.
3. Company Updates- A CEO delivering an annual company performance review.
4. Educational Lectures- A professor explaining the concept of climate change to his students.
5. Government Briefings- A public health expert updating citizens on new policies.

Tips for Creating an Effective Informative Presentation

1. Break it into digestible sections – Help your audience absorb key points easily. No one enjoys a slide deck that looks like a messy closet, so keeping it less cluttered and leaving enough space for the eyes to figure things out is the right way.
2. Use visuals to simplify complex data – No one wants to read a novel on a slide. So here, visualisations like pie charts or different layouts, are good to go. You can use Figma as a design tool to create unique layouts and design. Make sure you don’t turn your slide into a fruit salad with all the colours though.
3. Make it interactive – Polls, Q&A, and examples throughout the presentation keep people engaged. A well-placed fun fact or anecdote might also hook your audience better than a straight boring statement.

2. Persuasive Presentations

What Is a Persuasive Presentation?

A persuasive presentation aims to convince your audience to take action, believe in an idea, or make a decision. Whether it’s an investor pitch or a debate speech, persuasion is key.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Persuasive Presentations

1. Sales Pitch Decks- A company providing potential clients with comprehensive presentations about their services and products .
2. Marketing Campaign Pitches- A creative agency convincing a client to approve an ad campaign.
3. Investor Pitch Deck- A startup persuading investors and venture capitalists for raising funds and investments.
4. Political Speeches- A candidate urging voters to support their policy and propaganda.
5. Product Presentations- A company showcasing the value proposition of their products through a comprehensive product deck.

Tips for Creating an Effective Persuasive Presentation

1. Use a storytelling narrative – Facts tell, stories sell. Personal stories and case studies make arguments more convincing to the audience.
2. Use data and social proof – Testimonials and stats add credibility to your pitches. Be sure to pick the right data to show to your audience.
3. End with a strong call to action – Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do next. Get creative with this if the situation demands!

3. Demonstrative Presentations

What Is a Demonstrative Presentation?

A demonstrative presentation teaches the audience how something works through a step-by-step approach. As the name suggests, it’s all about demonstrating or showing.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Demonstrative Presentations

1. Product Demonstrations- A tech company showing how their new device functions.
2. Software Tutorials- A presentations agency training the team on using design tools.
3. Cooking Shows- A chef demonstrating a new recipe on TV.
4. Medical Procedures- A surgeon explaining a new technique at a conference.
5. DIY Workshops- A baker demonstrating how to make ganache for a cake with a whisker instead of hand beating.

Tips for Creating an Effective Demonstrative Presentation

1. Use live demos whenever possible – People love seeing things in action, so along with the slides you’ve prepared, hands-on demonstrations work really well.
2. Break down steps clearly – Numbered steps or process flows improve clarity for the audience.
3. Encourage audience interaction – Try incorporating sections where attendees can ask questions to improve overall participation.

4. Inspirational Presentations

What Is an Inspirational Presentation?

An inspirational presentation aims to uplift, motivate, or empower the audience by using personal stories and emotional appeal.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Inspirational Presentations

1. TED Talks- Speakers sharing personal stories and transformative insights.
2. Graduation Presentations- Motivational Presentations given to students entering the real world or making them proud of the university by showcasing the university’s achievements.
3. Leadership Conferences- CEOs inspiring employees with their company vision.
4. Motivational keynotes- A speaker giving their two cents on a particular topic to a large audience.
5. Self-Improvement Seminars- Life coaches helping people develop confidence and skills.

Tips for Making Effective Inspirational Presentations

1. Be as authentic as possible – Speak from the heart and connect emotionally with your audience, since inspiration is an emotion itself.
2. Use powerful storytelling – Personal experiences are more relatable for the audience to spark an inspiration, than generic advice.
3. Leave a strong takeaway – A memorable message will help you create the impact you’re aiming for in such presentations.

5. Business Presentations

What Is a Business Presentation?

A business presentation is used in corporate settings to communicate plans, strategies, and performance updates.

Common Examples of Business Presentations

1. Quarterly Business Reviews – A company presenting sales and financial performance.
2. Board Meeting Presentations– Executives discussing company strategy with investors.
3. Project Proposals – A presentation design firm pitching their project plan to their client.
4. Partnership Decks – A brand convincing another company to collaborate.
5. Company Profile- The outline of a company and what it’s all about, including its offerings.

Tips for Making Effective Business Presentations

1. Keep it short yet crisp – Business professionals appreciate clarity and efficiency so the best way is to keep it concise.
2. Use a professional design – Keep the design tailored to how your audience will view it. If you’re unsure, always consider a professional presentation design service provider.
3. End with a clear takeaway – Without giving clarity on what the next step is, the audience will not take the required action.

6. Event Presentations

What Is an Event Presentation?

An event presentation is tailored for large gatherings like conferences, expos, and award ceremonies. The goal is to captivate a diverse audience, set the tone for the event, and deliver a message that a live crowd can relate to.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Event Presentations

1. Conference Presentations- A tech guru sharing his understanding of the future of AI.
2. Product Launches- A company like Apple introducing its newest gadget with flair.
3. Institutional Ceremonies- An institution showcasing their journey at an annual ceremony.
4. Trade Show Presentations- An industry leader presenting the latest trends in renewable energy at a global expo.
5. Panel Discussions- Multiple experts debating and sharing insights on a hot industry topic.

Tips for Making Effective Event Presentations

1. Add more visual impact- Don’t shy away from the visuals, use graphics ot animations that work well on large screens.
2. Keep your audience entertained- Incorporate live polls or interactive segments, and ask engaging questions with the audience throughout.
3. Rehearse well before delivering your presentation-  This tip might not help you MAKE an effective presentation, but it will surely make your presentation more effective!

7. Education and Training Presentations

What Is an Education and Training Presentation?

An Education and training presentation is designed to educate employees, students, or customers on a specific topic. It’s the backbone of effective concept classes, onboarding sessions, workshops, and skill development seminars.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Education and Training Presentations

1. Employee Onboarding- HR presenting company culture and policies to new hires.
2. Software Training- A tech firm guiding users through the ins and outs of their new application.
3. Safety Protocols- A manufacturing business providing knowledge to the staff about proper safety procedures.
4. Customer Education- A telecommunications company explaining how to optimise service usage.
5. Skill Workshops- A presentation design agency training the team on animation tools.

Tips for Making Effective Education and Training Presentations

1. Try to add interactive elements- Include quizzes, role-playing scenarios, or hands-on activities to add value to the presentations.
2. Use more real-life examples- Using case studies and simulations to illustrate key points helps give a better understanding of the topic.
3. Give out supplementary materials in sessions- Provide handouts or digital resources that you can get designed from a presentation designer, for complementing your training session.

8. Technical Presentations

What Is a Technical Presentation?

A technical presentation focuses on delivering specialised information, where the  nature of information is highly technical. It’s meant to explain complex technical concepts, systems, or processes in a way that is accessible to both experts and, at times, non-specialists.

Common Use Cases and Real-World Examples

1. Scientific Conferences-  Researchers presenting new findings in a neuroscience conference, using statistical data to support their conclusions.
2. IT System Overviews-  An IT architect presenting the architecture of a new cloud-based platform, highlighting its components, data flows, etc.
3. Medical Case Studies- A doctor presenting a clinical trial's outcomes to discuss treatment efficacy.
4. Technical Workshops- A cybersecurity expert explaining ethical hacking through the presentation.
5. Engineering Seminars- A civil engineer explaining the structural innovations through diagrams, material properties etc.

Tips for Making Effective Technical Presentations

1. Keep it well-structured- Organise your content logically. Start with basic concepts before diving into deeper details.
2. Use visuals wisely-  Balance detailed diagrams with simple charts to avoid overwhelming the audience.
3. Simplify without dumbing down- Add necessary technical details in the presentation to make it more easy to follow.

9. Interactive Presentations

What Is an Interactive Presentation?

An interactive presentation actively involves the audience in the learning process. Instead of a one-way lecture, it encourages participation through activities, Q&A sessions, or real-time feedback.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Interactive Presentations

1. Workshops- Facilitators engaging participants with live brainstorming sessions.
2. Chat Sessions- Open Q&A sessions where a single person engages with a live audience.
3. Training Seminars- Instructors using interactive presentations with quizzes and discussions to boost retention.
4. Community Events- Organisers involving the audience in live polls, presenting the polls through a presentation.
5. Quiz Presentations- An open olympiad where students get to answer as per their turn for dynamic learning.

Tips For Making Effective Interactive Presentations

1. Use templates from interactive tools- Incorporate tools like Mentimeter, Slido, or Kahoot, instead of using PowerPoint, to facilitate engagement.
2. Encourage participation from the audience- Ask open-ended questions and invite audience opinions. That’s the whole point of presentation being ‘interactive’!
3. Mix up the format- Break up the presentation with group activities or breakout sessions.

10. Project Status Update Presentations

What Is a Project Status Update Presentation?

A project status update presentation is designed to provide regular progress reports on projects, campaigns, or company initiatives. It keeps stakeholders informed about milestones, challenges, and next steps.

Common Use Cases and Examples of Project Status Update Presentations

1. Project Reviews- Teams updating management on project progress and deliverables.
2. Campaign Reporting- Marketing departments sharing performance metrics of recent initiatives.
3. Progress Meeting Presentations- Departments presenting quarterly updates on key objectives.
4. Construction Site Updates- Project managers briefing stakeholders on building progress and timelines.
5. Research Progress- Academic scholars reporting on ongoing research projects and discoveries.

Tips for Making Effective Project Status Update Presentations

1. Keep it brief yet informative Concise- Focus on key metrics and highlights, because no one really likes a marathon update.
2. Use dashboards to present updates- Visual dashboards and progress charts make data easy to digest and also keep things aligned for everyone.
3. Highlight challenges and solutions-  Be transparent about obstacles and propose actionable solutions.

Final thoughts

Circling back to the main point- choose the right presentation for the right moment.

Every presentation type has its unique purpose, and by understanding when and how to use each style, you get one step closer to keeping your audience aligned with you.

As a presentation design firm, we’re well versed with making all such types of presentations. So if you’re looking to partner with someone to make your presentations for you, the presentation design services at Crappy Presentations might just be your perfect match.

Contact us and we’ll make sure our presentation design experts make your next presentation exactly as you need it to be, or maybe even better than what you’ll expect! Don’t believe us? Take a look at our work!

For more insights, tips and tricks about ‘all things presentations’, check out the Crappy Presentations Blog!