Most of us have probably been stuck in those mind-numbing PowerPoint presentations that just don’t land. Instead of getting us engaged and informed, they often leave us bored, confused, and struggling to remember anything.
PowerPoint can be a really useful tool if you use it the right way – as a visual helper for a presentation that’s already well-thought-out and engaging. Just having slides doesn’t automatically mean it will be bad. It is when they become a substitute for good preparation or a way to throw too much information at the audience that we get that dreaded “Death by PowerPoint.“

So, how do we break free? One idea is to just ditch the slides altogether. How would you tell your story without relying on bullet points and the usual slide setup?
For some presenters, that might sound terrifying. But for others, it could be a breath of fresh air, letting you present without feeling tied to those standard slide rules. It’s about moving away from slides packed with text and predictable layouts and focusing more on the actual story and how you deliver it.

That’s why we wanted to brainstorm some cool alternatives to slides. Think of them as creative ways to make your presentations more lively and bring your message to life. This includes things like using great visuals, telling compelling stories, and making things interactive – all of which can turn your content into something people actually remember and understand better.

Live sketching

One idea is to use live sketching during your presentation. Whether you’re drawing key points, diagrams, or simple visuals on a board, it helps your audience follow along more easily and stay engaged. The use of live sketching during a presentation, much like the “chalk talk” reminiscent of school classes, increases audience engagement and facilitates a real-time visual connection with the presented material. You can explore various methods to achieve this, such as Simon Sinek’s talk, which was delivered using a clipboard.

Switching to an entirely different medium can also be a creative way to boost engagement. For instance, Michael Kargl uses improvised writing and printed visuals on a wall in his talk on performative materiality. This unexpected technique draws the audience in and keeps them captivated throughout the whole presentation.

Active Audience Participation

Slides can be helpful, but only if they don’t become a passive background. To truly engage your audience, make your presentation interactive.

Instead of just talking at your audience, create a dialogue. Ask questions, gather feedback, and involve people in small tasks or discussions. Matt Abrahams, an expert on spontaneous speaking, advocates for this in his engaging talks.

You can even incorporate technology. Tools like polls, quizzes, and surveys (via apps or physical prompts) are fantastic for gathering real-time feedback. This creates an equal exchange of information, strengthens audience connection, and keeps energy levels high.

Tangible mediums

Technical or data-heavy presentations often struggle to maintain attention. When a connection with the audience is missing, engagement fades. Direct interaction is essential for keeping your audience involved and making them feel like active participants. But let’s be honest: relying on slides alone won’t do the trick. That’s where the power of a tangible medium can come into play.

By introducing physical handouts, you can transform the way your audience experiences your talk. Whether it’s simple printed cards with notes, Q&A sections, or even blank spaces for jotting down thoughts, these materials provide a tactile, memorable element. You can also offer more substantial resources like books, reports, or reflection points that tie directly into your presentation like Edward Tufte did showing data visualisations through physical tools. When people can physically interact with content, it becomes part of their experience, not just something they heard.

Collaborative presentations

Physical materials also open doors for deeper collaboration. Think of group brainstorming sessions, interactive mind maps, or live feedback cards.

Incorporating interactive elements will create a memorable experience, whereas slides often fade away. Engage your audience in the conversation and use their input to gather valuable insights. This approach allows you to collect real-time data, enriching your presentation. It’s perfect for presenting while also researching a topic or running an interactive workshop with your audience. A great example of this is the collaborative presentation on sustainable food, where the audience actively contributed to the shared board.

Presenting with props

Sometimes, the most powerful tool isn’t a slide or a handout, it’s a meaningful object. Instead of using objects as minor props, make them the centerpiece of your presentation. This method connects the audience even more directly to your message, turning an object into a symbol or focal point that reinforces your ideas.

A great example of this is Bill Gates’ TED Talk on pandemics, where he used a jar of mosquitoes to highlight the dangers of disease transmission. This unexpected, physical element created a sense of urgency and surprise, making his message unforgettable. Likewise, Jill Bolte Taylor captivated her audience by presenting a human brain during her talk about strokes.

Make your presentation unforgettable

The traditional approach of using slides may no longer be enough to captivate and engage your audience. By integrating more creative and tangible elements into your presentation, you create an experience that is both memorable and impactful. Whether through live sketching, physical handouts, or objects that bring your message to life, creative techniques can enhance your storytelling and foster stronger connections with your listeners.

It’s time to rethink your strategy. Adopt innovative presentation approaches, and watch your presentations come alive, leaving your audience with lasting insights and a deeper connection to your message.