what is a presentation card

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Cue cards for public speaking 

How to make cue cards & use them effectively.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

Making good cue cards from standard office supply index or note cards to help you confidently deliver an extemporaneous  speech is relatively easy.  And using them well will lift the quality of your presentation immeasurably. (Truly! I promise you that's not hyperbole. ☺)

What's on this page

Step-by-step guidelines on how to make cue cards and use them well:

• what are cue cards ?
• the benefits of using cue cards
• the materials required to make cue cards
• the 10 features of an effective cue card
• how to write up cue cards - the 3-step process to get from a speech outline to cue cards that work the way you want them to  
• how to rehearse with cue cards
• the difference between cue cards and flash cards

What are cue cards?

Cue * or note cards, used by speakers when making an extemporaneous speech * , are typically handheld. They are about 4 inches by 6 inches in size, with carefully selected and ordered words and phrases written on them. These act as prompt to help speakers remember what they have to say.

* A  cue is a signal or a prompt to say or do something. * extemporaneous speech -a well-prepared speech that relies on research, clear organization, and practiced delivery, but is neither read nor completely memorized.

The benefits of using cue cards

People who do not use cue cards to help them deliver a prepared speech either read it from a word-for-word printout or rely entirely on their memory.

However, both these delivery methods have potential traps for the unwary.

• Reading a speech well is a skill and like any skill it needs work to become proficient at it. Someone who hasn't practiced reading aloud is very likely to be difficult to listen to and to watch.
• Opting to deliver a speech entirely from memory is only effective if you've done enough practice. A blank-out and trying to chase down lost words in front of an audience can be hard to recover from. (There is no safety-net!)

Enter cue cards!

The benefits of using cue cards well are:

• Not being anchored to a podium reading the entire text of your speech. This enables you to freely interact with your audience: -to make eye contact, -to observe and readily respond, for instance to clarify a   point you can see has not been understood, to leave out   bits you can tell are not wanted or needed..., -to gesture and move easily.
• Not being left stranded and floundering because you have forgotten important details, or the sequence of your material. Cue cards are reassuring.  

A well-prepared set of cue cards will give you confidence. You will sound, look and feel more present, and your entire delivery will have more life, more energy! 

For those of you who are nervous about making the transition from the safety of a complete sentence by sentence script to note cards, don't be. Take it slowly. Give yourself time to thoroughly prepare and rehearse with them, and you'll be delighted with the result.

The materials needed

You'll need a packet of standard index cards, similar to the one in the illustration below, a selection of highlighters, (for example, yellow, pink, blue and green), and an easily-read pen. I suggest using one with either blue or black ink.

The 10 features of good cue cards 

The information you put on your cards and how you lay it out is critically important. You need to be able to read and understand them at a glance. (See the illustration below)

The most user-friendly cue cards:

• have ONE main subject heading or idea per card
• have a heading showing which part of the speech the card belongs to  
• are written or printed clearly using larger than usual font   - so you can read them easily
• have plenty of white space around each word or phrase to help them stand out
• use bullet points or numbers to itemize the supporting ideas under the main heading
• are written on ONE side of the card only
• are clearly numbered so that you know the order they come in and it can be a good idea to tie them together .   Use a hole punch to make a hole through the left corner of your cards and tie with a loop of string long enough to allow them to be flipped. The advantage of that is if you drop or somehow get them out of sequence, you're not scrabbling around trying to get them back into the right order and find where you'd got up to while being watched. That can be tough with dozens of pairs of eyes on you!  
• are color-coded to show your main idea, supporting ideas, examples and transitions or links.
• have where props are to be shown . For example: Main Idea One - Supporting Idea - Example - Show slide 1
• have approximate timings marked so you can track yourself through your allotted time. If you find you're going over you can adjust by leaving out an extra example or conversely if you're under time, you can add one in.

Preparing your speech for cue cards

Before starting the cue cards you need to make sure your speech is fully prepared.

The next 3 steps are an essential part of the preparation process.

1. Reviewing your speech outline

Using your speech outline go through from the beginning checking the sequence of ideas, supporting material and  transitions to ensure all your information is in an effective and logical sequence.  (And if you haven't made an outline yet  download and use the blank one available from the link below.)

Have you outlined your speech?

If you haven't got a speech outline already prepared ...

Use the printable blank speech outline template you'll find on this page: sample speech outline . It will make preparing your cue cards a breeze. 

2. Try your speech out loud

Use your outline to try your speech out loud. Say it through as if you were actually giving it and time yourself.

Remember to allow for pausing, waiting for the audience to finish laughing before you begin talking again, and so on.

You may need to edit if it's too long and it's a lot easier to do that at this stage. 

3. Feedback

Once you have the length right for your time allowance, ask a few people whose judgment you trust to listen to you give your speech. Have them give you feedback on its content, structure and delivery, paying particular attention to the introduction and the close.

(For more information see speech evaluation| giving and receiving meaningful feedback .) 

Use the feedback you've been given to rework your speech if you need to.

When you're satisfied you have it the best it can possibly be, you're ready to prepare it for cue cards.

Getting from outline to writing up your cue cards

Identifying good keywords and phrases.

Each segment or part of your speech, from its introduction to conclusion, should be reducible to a key word or phrase.  The phrase or keyword will act as a prompt, or trigger, making you immediately remember what it was you wanted to say.

Before you can write your cue cards you need to go through your speech outline and choose a word or phrase that best represents what each part is about.  

Once you've finished, you're ready to write up your cards using the  1-10 guidelines  above.

Test your cards as you make them

Double check the effectiveness of each card as you write them to make sure you are using keywords or phrases that actually do trigger your memory.

This is also particularly important for links or transitions. Forgetting how you got from one piece of information to the next not only leaves you stranded but your audience as well.

NB.  Be sure to note the names of important people, facts or processes too.

A word of warning

Do not be tempted to print or write the whole of your speech out, then cut it into bits and stick those bits onto cue card sized pieces of cardboard. * It will defeat your purpose entirely.

You'll finish with ridiculously cramped notes that, as well as being difficult to read, stop you from freely interacting with your audience. You'll be head down trying to decipher what you wrote!

* (I've seen it in action! Occasionally one of my student's would try it and the result was never, ever good.)

Rehearsing with your cue cards

You'll find a full page here on ' how to rehearse ' .

It includes notes specifically on rehearsing using your cue cards as well as other valuable tips for delivering your speech successfully.

Now that you've completed your set of cards, please don't shortchange yourself by assuming you are fully prepared and ready for delivery.

To use them well you really do need to practice with them. Before you give your speech aim for at least three concentrated rehearsal sessions and do more if possible.

Cue cards and flash cards. What's the difference? 

The principal difference between them is their purpose.

Flash cards are used to help memorize information for example, vocabulary lists for a new language you're learning, the sequence of events leading to the outbreak of WW2, or the names and placement of all the bones in the human body.

They frequently have diagrams and pictures as well as words on them to make the information easier to remember. 

The goal or purpose of them is instant recall. They are extensively used by students, particularly as part of their exam preparation.

In comparison, cue cards are generally larger than flash cards and have less information on them - just an ordered sequence of a speech's key words and phrases.

Whereas flash cards are used prior to an examination or test, cue cards are used during a presentation. Their purpose is to prompt or remind the speaker to say what they wanted to.

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Is a 'presentation card' a 'visiting card'? / calling card

• Thread starter kuleshov
• Start date Oct 12, 2008

Senior Member

• Oct 12, 2008

I know what a business or visiting card is , but I don't think they have anything to do with a presentation card , do they? In fact, what's a presentation card ?  

A card used to help make a presentation? If you just give us two words and say "hey what are these?" it's hard to give a good answer.  

You are right. I was thinking of an abstract meaning. For example, if you dress smartly, you can say that the elegance of your clothes is your "visiting card." Or your manners or rapport when you deal with other people socially. Or is it your "presentation card"? I hope not!!  

kuleshov said: For example, if you dress smartly, you can say that the elegance of your clothes is your "visiting card." Click to expand...

Traditionally before you were "presented" to the queen, you would hand a special presentation card to the Chamberlain so that he could announce your name and rank. Nowadays I think it just refers to any card that is not a visiting or business card, e.g. one that accompanies a bunch of flowers or a wedding present to indicate who is presenting the gift.  

Hello, I would suggest you google the phrase!  

I think you're right, kuleshov. I suspect that Spanish "presentation card" would normally translate as either "business card" or "visiting card".  

• Oct 13, 2008

I have never heard of a visiting card either.  

kuleshov said: I was thinking of an abstract meaning. For example, if you dress smartly, you can say that the elegance of your clothes is your "visiting card." Click to expand...

A calling card 1. something that shows a person or animal has been in a place. The beetles leave behind their calling cards: little white balls on the outside of the trees. Click to expand...

That's it, AngelEyes, a calling card ; although it seems to have a negative connotation. Can we use a calling card as a synonym for the aura ? I don't mean in the same sentence, but with the positive meaning of the term aura ?  

This thread discusses the calling card and business card .  

kuleshov said: That's it, AngelEyes, a calling card ; although it seems to have a negative connotation. Can we use a calling card as a synonym for the aura ? I don't mean in the same sentence, but with the positive meaning of the term aura ? Click to expand...

How to Design a Business Card in PowerPoint

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Business cards might seem old-fashioned, but they're still effective for professionals building their network. A well-designed business card leaves a positive and lasting impression on your potential partners and clients.

Thankfully, you don't have to be a graphic design expert or use complex tools like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign to design a card—all you need is Microsoft PowerPoint. With that and our guide, you can create a unique and remarkable business card.

So, follow this step-by-step tutorial, and start creating your business card today.

Understanding the Basics of Business Card Design

To create a professional-looking business card, it's essential to understand these three design elements:

• The trim border. It's the exact size of your finished business card. In this case, that is 3.5" x 2", the standard card size in the US. This size is 85mm x 55mm for the UK and most of Europe. After printing, the card will be trimmed down to this size, and any content beyond this border will be removed.
• The bleed border. It's the area around the trim border that will be removed. The background design of your card should extend to this area so that if the printer doesn't cut precisely around the trim border, there's no white space around your finished card.
• The safe zone. It's the area that holds your personal and business information. This region ensures that these details are not too close to the trim border and will not be removed in the final card cut-out.

With this understanding, let's dive into creating a business card in nine easy steps.

1. Create a Blank Document in Microsoft PowerPoint

Open PowerPoint on your computer and select Blank Presentation .

To start creating the card, you should have a completely blank canvas. So from the Home tab, click Layout and select Blank from the drop-down options.

2. Set the Slide Size for a Business CardUnder the Design tab, click Slide Size and select Custom Slide Size .

Set the Width of the slide to 3.75 inches and the Height to 2.25 inches. When you're done, click OK .

You can select Maximize or Ensure Fit in the dialog box that pops up ; both will work fine in this case.

3. Add the Bleed, Trim, and Safe Borders

You can use rectangles to add the bleed, trim, and safe borders. To add the bleed border, navigate to the Insert tab. Click on Shapes , and select a rectangle.

When you draw the rectangle, the Shape Format tab opens up. Set the rectangle's Height to 2.25 inches and Width to 3.75 inches.

Click Align , then select Align Center and Align Middle .

​​​​​​Ensure the rectangle is selected, click on Shape Fill , and set it to No Fill .

With the rectangle still selected, click on Shape Outline and set it to Red .

Use the same process for adding the bleed border to add the trim and safe borders using the following dimensions respectively: 3.5" x 2" and 3.25" x 1.75".

4. Add Images

Now that the slide is set up, you can add images (e.g., background image, logo, and profile photo) to the card. So, if you want to add an image, navigate to the Insert tab. Click on Pictures and select This Device if the image is saved on your computer.

After adding the image, resize and position it as you see fit inside the safe zone.

Note: For this design, we are sticking with a white background. If you want to add a background image or gradient to your card, extend it beyond the safe zone to the bleed border.

5. Add Shapes

Shapes are design elements you can use to elevate your design. You can also edit the points of any shape to create custom ones — let's look at an example.

After adding a rectangle to the slide, right-click on it and select Send to Back to place it behind all the elements.

Right-click on the rectangle again, and select Edit Points . Move the point on the bottom left of the rectangle to the right or left to create a new shape.

Click on the new custom shape, and hit Ctrl+D on your keyboard to duplicate the shape. Right-click on the duplicated shape and select Send to Back .

With the duplicated shape selected, click on Shape Fill under the Shape Format tab. If you want to give it a color from your logo design (or any other image you have on the slide), select the Eyedropper tool, and click on the color you want to select. Now position the duplicate shape to suit your preference.

6. Add Text

It's time to add your personal and business details to the business card. To add text, navigate to the Insert tab. Click Shapes , select Text box , and type the text you want to display.

Some of the most common details you would want to add to your business card include:

• Name and title
• Social media handles
• Phone number, Email, etc.
• Company name, address, website, etc.

You can create really cool effects with your design by rotating the text and images you've added, but remember not to overdo it.

All text containing important information should be placed inside the safe zone to avoid being close to the trim border and avoid being cut out in the finished printout.

7. Add Icons

Icons help to highlight the details you have on your business card and add to its overall aesthetic. To add an icon, navigate to the Insert tab and click Icons . From the library that opens up, select the icons you want to add and click Insert .

When the icons are added to the slide, the Graphics Format tab opens up. Under this tab, you can resize, re-color, and position your icons to suit your taste.

You can elevate your design by adding a drop shadow to the graphics you've used, which include icons, shapes, images, and text.

8. Clean Up and Save for Printing

When you're done designing your card, remove the safe, trim, and bleed rectangles to clean up the design. From here, you can save it for printing. The PDF file format is best in this case. To save the design as a PDF file, navigate to the File tab.

Click the Save As option. Enter a name for your design and select PDF from the drop-down list. Click Browse to pick a folder location on your computer to save the file. When you're done, click Save .

9. Design the Back of Your Card

Now that you've designed the front of your business card, you can go through the same process to design the back of the card. This should be much easier since only a few elements go here.

With your card's front and back designs saved in PDF, you can send them to your local print house for hard copies to hand out at future networking events.

Design Your Business Card With Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint can be used as a simple and cost-effective method to design professional-looking cards for your business or personal brand. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a unique and polished business card that accurately reflects your brand identity. If you want to take this to the next level and potentially land your dream job, consider designing your career portfolio in PowerPoint.

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How to Design a Business Card in PowerPoint

A business card serves as a critical first impression and tangible connection to your brand. With PowerPoint’s versatile design capabilities, you can create customized, professional business cards to represent your company.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to designing an effective business card in PowerPoint. We’ll cover formatting, essential elements, design best practices, and printing tips to produce quality business cards.

Step 1: Set Up the Slide

Launch PowerPoint and select the “Blank Presentation” option to open a new file. Navigate to the “Design” tab and click on “Slide Size”. Change the slide dimensions to 3.5 inches by 2 inches, the standard business card size.

You can also customize the slide color or add a subtle background design if desired. Just ensure any graphics don’t distract from the key text.

Step 2: Add Essential Elements

Next, input the essential business card information:

• Company logo
• Company name
• Contact name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Physical address

Use a combination of text boxes and images to input your content cleanly. Avoid clutter by only including the most vital details – you can leave additional info for the back of the card or your website.

Step 3: Style the Text

Carefully format the text to maximize legibility and visual hierarchy. Use a clear, professional font like Arial or Helvetica for the company name and contact details. You can showcase creativity with stylized text for ancillary content.

Strategically employ font sizes, colors, bolding, italics, and alignment to differentiate key information. White space also helps direct the viewer’s attention.

Step 4: Add Design Elements

Once the base content is in place, embellish the design with lines, shapes, icons, borders, or other graphics if desired. These accents can reflect brand identity but shouldn’t distract from vital text.

For example, you could include:

• A border that incorporates brand colors
• Icons representing core services
• A decorative background shape

Step 5: Refine the Layout

Review the overall layout and refine the positioning of each element. Use alignment tools to perfect the spacing and make adjustments as needed.

Key items like the logo and contact details should stand out, while supplementary content resides in the visual periphery. Check for consistency across all sides of the card if designing a double-sided layout.

Step 6: Check Print Requirements

Before finalizing your design, confirm your print shop’s specific file requirements. Most require high-resolution PDFs in CMYK color mode. RGB mode works for online use but won’t print accurately.

Set the PDF to print at 100% size with bleed space for best results. You may also need to flatten any transparent objects.

Step 7: Print and Enjoy!

With your business card design complete, purchase your desired paper stock and print a test copy before mass production. Ensure all elements print clearly and colors match expectations.

Once perfected, order your finished cards and start networking! Hand them out freely and watch your personal brand grow.

A PowerPoint business card couples professional design with total creative liberty. Follow this guide to develop an effective card that wows clients and drives growth. With a polished brand image and memorable visuals, your business cards will serve you well for years to come.

About The Author

Vegaslide staff, related posts.

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Standard Business Card Sizes (+ free templates)

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck on where to begin when starting a business card layout from scratch, you’re not alone. It can be a hassle to remember the exact dimensions, margin sizes, and program settings each time you want to design something new.

Here’s a quick guide of the most popular business card sizes, some fundamental business card design tips, and two alternatives that will help you create your business card in a jiffy.

What is the standard business card size?

• Business card sizes across the globe

What is the size of a business card in pixels?

• Designing a standard sized business card from scratch
• Designing a standard sized business card using a template

The takeaway

If you’d rather skip the yak and want to just get into designing a standard sized business card using Brandly’s free templates, here you go:

Download Brandly’s standard business card size templates >

Now, if you prefer to learn more about business card sizes before jumping into creation, well then, keep on reading.

There is really no single worldwide ‘standard business card size’ for a business card. Each region around the globe has a preferred business card size which is usually called ‘standard’, but that’s not to say that other sizes aren’t also used by businesses based in that region.

In the United States, the standard business card size is 3.5” x 2” (inches), or 89 x 51 mm (millimeters). This is the final size, not including the extra 1/8” inch for the bleed (which gets trimmed off after the printing). If your design has bleed, be sure your file is set up at a dimension of 3.75” x 2.25” (inches) to accommodate the extra area that will be trimmed off. We’ll explain in-depth how the bleed works later on.

Standard business card sizes around the globe

It depends. We strongly suggest you to use a vector-based design tool to create your business card design, but if you’re already creating a business card design using a pixel-based design program like Photoshop, the size in pixels of a standard business card depends on the print quality required or desired. A high-quality looking business card should be printed in 300 PPI (at least), so the size of a business card in pixels–at 300 PPI– would result in 1050 pixels x 600 pixels.

If you’re struggling with sizes and pixels, prepare your design in inches instead. Most design software can easily convert pixels to inches or millimeters, which are the most common for print.

Designing a standard sized business card from scratch (the hard way)

Understanding the elements of a standard business card will ensure your design is set up to the right specifications for printing. With that, you can focus on design factors, such as color, layout, and elements such as typography.

5 Tips for print perfection

Follow these tips to make sure your standard sized business card design is optimized for printing.

Business card size and corners

At Brandly, we print US standard sized business cards. That is 3.5” x 2”. You can choose either square corners for a more classic style or rounded corners for a modern style.

For a standard business card, the safety margins are about 1/8” from the cutting edge so make sure to keep any text or logos within a 3.34” by 1.84” area. This is where a standard sized business card template can help you with setting up a design layout for printing.

Understanding the bleed of a business card

The bleed is an area that gets printed beyond the trim edge of the business card to avoid white lines when we trim it. If your business card contains a background color or graphics that extend to the edges, make sure to add a 1/8 inch bleed beyond the trim.

Designing a standard sized business card using a template (the smart way)

Why start from scratch when you can use a template?

Both professional designers and those who are just learning the basics of design will benefit from starting with a standard business card template. Brandly’s template is simple and easy to use and can take a great deal of stress out of creating a US standard sized business card from scratch. It is a great reference and includes the recommended guidelines for setting up a new layout, including bleed and safety margins.

The template comes in a downloadable PDF, compatible with most design software including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. No matter which one you use, it’s important to know how to set up your design so that you get great results you can feel proud of. Even the most experienced designers use templates to save time when they create a standard sized business card from scratch.

Over time, it gets easier to remember the details of a standard business card size, from the bleed to the margins. If you start with a template, you’ll never be in doubt about whether your design will be produced accurately.

Before jumping into creation, we highly recommend visiting Brandly’s artwork guidelines for great resources on preparing your print-ready business card, and our guide on how to choose the right business card paper type .

US Standard business card size

• Business card size in inches: 3.5” x 2”
• Business card size in mm: 89 x 51 mm
• Business card size in cm: 8.9 x 5.1 cm
• Business card size in pixels: 1050 px x 600 px

At Brandly, everytime we design a new business card, we start with this blank template. Enjoy!

18 Mar 2020 -->

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How to Give a Killer Presentation

• Chris Anderson

For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. In this article, Anderson, TED’s curator, shares five keys to great presentations:

• Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end).
• Plan your delivery (decide whether to memorize your speech word for word or develop bullet points and then rehearse it—over and over).
• Work on stage presence (but remember that your story matters more than how you stand or whether you’re visibly nervous).
• Plan the multimedia (whatever you do, don’t read from PowerPoint slides).
• Put it together (play to your strengths and be authentic).

According to Anderson, presentations rise or fall on the quality of the idea, the narrative, and the passion of the speaker. It’s about substance—not style. In fact, it’s fairly easy to “coach out” the problems in a talk, but there’s no way to “coach in” the basic story—the presenter has to have the raw material. So if your thinking is not there yet, he advises, decline that invitation to speak. Instead, keep working until you have an idea that’s worth sharing.

Lessons from TED

A little more than a year ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, some colleagues and I met a 12-year-old Masai boy named Richard Turere, who told us a fascinating story. His family raises livestock on the edge of a vast national park, and one of the biggest challenges is protecting the animals from lions—especially at night. Richard had noticed that placing lamps in a field didn’t deter lion attacks, but when he walked the field with a torch, the lions stayed away. From a young age, he’d been interested in electronics, teaching himself by, for example, taking apart his parents’ radio. He used that experience to devise a system of lights that would turn on and off in sequence—using solar panels, a car battery, and a motorcycle indicator box—and thereby create a sense of movement that he hoped would scare off the lions. He installed the lights, and the lions stopped attacking. Soon villages elsewhere in Kenya began installing Richard’s “lion lights.”

• CA Chris Anderson is the curator of TED.

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What is a presentation card creator and how can it help me design professional presentations?

A presentation card creator, or a presentation design software, is an advanced tool that enables you to create impressive and professional-looking presentations. It offers a broad range of features such as pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, image libraries, and customization options to make the design process easier and more efficient.

The primary benefit of a presentation card creator is that it simplifies the design process. You don’t need to be a professional designer to create high-quality presentations. With a library of pre-designed templates, you can select a design that suits your needs and customize it to match your brand’s visual identity. A template serves as a foundation for your presentation, saving you the time and effort of designing every slide from scratch.

Another advantage of a presentation card creator is that it offers a wide range of customization options. You can adjust the colors, fonts, images, and other elements of your presentation to align with your brand’s visual identity and the message you want to convey. Some presentation card creators also provide animation and multimedia integration features, allowing you to add videos, audio, and interactive elements to your presentation to make it more engaging.

Furthermore, a presentation card creator can help you maintain consistency across your presentations. By using the same templates and customization options, you can ensure that all your presentations have a consistent look and feel. This can enhance your brand’s professionalism and credibility.

Lastly, a presentation card creator can help you save time and resources. By streamlining the design process, it allows you to create professional presentations quickly and efficiently. This means you can spend more time on other important tasks, such as researching your audience, crafting your message, and rehearsing your presentation.

At SlideGenius, we offer a comprehensive presentation card creator that combines ease of use with powerful design capabilities. Whether you’re creating a business presentation, a sales pitch, or an educational lecture, our tool can help you create a visually stunning and effective presentation that resonates with your audience.

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The 13+ Best Digital Business Cards 2025 (Ultimate Guide)

Disclaimer: This post is a paid partnership with Popl & Mobilo, but all reviews and opinions expressed in this post are our own. This post may contain partner links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. full disclosure  for more info .

So, it’s time to be honest, what really happens to all those business cards you hand out or receive?

You either have to spend an obnoxious amount of time manually entering them into your contacts, or realistically, you toss them.

If you’re looking to elevate your networking skills for your next convention, enhance those business relationships, or increase sales conversions, then upgrading to the best digital business card is just the next logical choice.

My Top Picks

So, with my networking experiences as a Realtor, Pharmacist, and now online entrepreneur, I’ve spent over two years testing out the best digital business cards on the market, and these were my top picks overall:

Full Review

• HR & CRM integration for an easy transition.
• Fantastic, customizable landing pages.

• Track your leads and networking efforts of your Team.
• Great array of NFC products to choose from.

• NFC tag on the front of the card.
• Nice landing page layout.

What is a digital business card? Essentially, it’s either an NFC card (think debit card) and can be accompanied by a digital business card app where you can send all of your business information. By going digital, you can achieve SO MUCH MORE than a basic business card .

Let’s get into my full breakdown of each major player.

What’s the Best Digital Business Card?

Here are my top companies tested for digital business cards. You can check out my in-depth guide on how to create a digital business card as well.

• Popl – Best For Enterprise & Teams
• Mobilo – Great for Lead Generation
• Wave – All the Essentials
• Blinq – Minimalistic Owners
• Linq – Diverse NFC Products
• Uniqode – QR Codes
• Warmly – Virtual Meetings
• HiHello – Solo Entrepreneur
• SwitchIt -Small Businesses
• KadoNetwork – Networking Professionals

Best Digital Business Card for Enterprises & Teams

Popl has been at the forefront of the digital business card industry and has stayed there for good reason.

They offer a wide variety of spectacular products (ehemm like my gold NFC card) and one of the most customizable landing pages .

This is what it looks like when I scan or wave my card to someone’s phone. As you can see, I was able to completely design the look to match my brand, and just a quick push of the “Save Contact” button will save all my information to my prospective client’s phone.

In short- if you need a digital business card for Teams , I highly recommend them.

Pop l Benefits & Experience

After using their card at various conventions, here has been my take (also see my full Popl review ).

• There are so many amazing features, but they do come at a monthly subscription cost. I really recommend upgrading to the Pro to get access to them all.

Pricing: You have to purchase the tag, but then the app is free for only the most basic functions, but the extra features will require an upgrade to the Pro version for $7.99 per month for single users.

The cost per Teams varies based on the number of employees you have, so be sure to book a call.

Popl Take Home

If you’re looking for a virtual business card utilizing cutting-edge technology for your Team, then Popl has every feature you could possibly need to bring your company to the digital age.

Best Digital Business Card for Lead Generation

Mobilo is another great digital business card solution, especially when it comes to lead generation (check out my Mobilo deep-dive review ). Like their competitors, their focus has been making the transfer of business and company information a seamless experience.

This starts from the moment you use one of their fantastic NFC options (my favorite being their metal cards). Here’s a look at what some of my products look like:

They also offer a Teams platform that gives you everything you could ever need with their designed landing pages, including- lead generation features. As you can see on the dashboard below, you can not only track your leads and clicks across your Team, but can visualize where they are using (looks similar to a Google Maps location):

Mobilo Pros & Cons:

After testing their product, here’s my experience:

• The landing page is a bit minimalistic for me and not as interactive as their competitors (unless you upgrade to the Teams option).

Pricing: The great part about Mobilo is that there is NO subscription fee for users. Just purchase an NFC product and you have access to everything. For Teams, the price varies on the size of your company.

Now, Wave is definitely one of “the new guys” to market, based out of Canada. Their digital business card gives you a nice landing page– which is very professional. It doesn’t seem to be as customizable as the others, but has a beautiful clean look with an easy drag-and-drop editor within the app. Take a look at mine:

And BONUS, the NFC tag is on the front, which is so nice (you don’t have to flip your card around when you’re scanning it).

The Wave Digital Business Card Experience

• Missing some customization options on the landing page.

Wave Pricing

Like most of their competitors, there’s a subscription option to get all the features, which is in line with the competitors at $6.99 per month.

Wave Verdict

While they’re a newcomer to the market, the platform is very promising with a sleek design and new front card NFC feature. They offer a very easy-to-use platform that’s on par with their competitors, so I see it working great for entrepreneurs.

4. Uniqode (Previously Beaconstac)

Best Digital Business Card with QR Codes

Uniqode (previously named Beaconstac) is another great digital business card company that combines the power of digital and physical cards through the creation of unique QR Codes. They allow you to create a digital business card with a QR Code that can help you share contact information in an instant and contactless manner.

You can also create a QR Code that you can attach to physical cards, emails, brochures , or anything else you could need it for. This makes it a popular option among major corporations.

As far the the “digital” card goes, you can essentially create a fun digital landing page that you attach to your Apple and Android Wallets. But know that there is no app that goes with it.

Uniqode Benefits & Drawbacks

• They don’t have the fancy bells and whistles to make an outstanding card like video embeds, etc.
• There’s also no NFC or physical products. You just have a QR code or a link to send.

Pricing: There is a free option for a static QR Code (meaning you cannot change the information), however for the dynamic QR Code generator you’ll start at $5 a month. There’s also a 14-day free trial so you can test it out to decide if it’s right for you.

If you’re looking for secure dynamic QR Codes that you can add to your digital business cards, as well as to your physical products, then Uniqode is a great choice.

Best for Diverse NFC Products

Linq is one of the originals in the NFC digital business card space. One of my favorite things about them is the diversity of NFC products they offer, from customized cards, tags, to apple watch bands.

They also have a very robust business platform for any company size (five or five or a thousand employees). They make it easy to manage their entire team with their customizable software and a dedicated Linq Team behind them .

This makes them one of the best for those large companies looking to save money and modernize their business cards.

Linq Dashboard

Here’s a look at my Linq landing page, and I share the dashboard experience in my full Linq review.

Linq Benefits & Drawbacks

• If you’re an iOS user, it may take a little more time to learn the dashboard as it’s a bit more complex than their competitors. But I got the hang of it pretty quickly.

Pricing: The cost of the NFC products varies depending on if you get them customized or not. Every product comes with the free app, but if you want additional features like video embed, etc, then you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version. If you’re looking at the Teams, then you’ll need to get a direct quote depending on how many employees you have.

Linq Take Home

If you’re looking to convert your company from physical to digital business cards, then Linq is another virtual business card that nails it. With the ability to update the card as your company grows, Linq will be one of the big players as we see physical cards disappear in the future.

Best Digital Business Card for Individuals

• Their digital card interface is very “basic.” They just have the essentials, none of the bells and whistles of all their competitors.

Pricing: As far as free versions go, Blinq is very generous with the features it lets you trial without needing to pay a monthly subscription. However, for only $3 a month, you get everything an entrepreneur would need in a digital card.

Overall, Blinq gives you the basics you need in a virtual business card at a very affordable price. However, it won’t have all the features that its competitors offer.

Best Digital Business Card for Virtual Meetings

Since the pandemic, many companies have transitioned to permanent remote work or hybrid options for their employees. This means lots of virtual meetings through popular platforms like Zoom , Google Meets, etc. And let’s be honest- sometimes our backgrounds are less than aesthetically pleasing.

That’s where Warmly comes in.

Head over to your app store inside Zoom (yes, there’s an app store now!), and download the Warmly app. From there, you can customize your profile with your name, title, location, and socials.

Now, I was a bit confused when I went to their website. Turns out, Warmly AI is an entire marketing/sales platform to increase conversions over virtual meetings, but you can use their “name tag” and I’ve provided the link below.

Warmly Experience

This really updates your video calls to a professional scale, no matter where you are. And I get SO MANY compliments when I jump on a Zoom call with a new client or business partner about the added information.

• Sometimes, the weather is incorrect. It once said that it was 52 F in Phoenix (when it was like 110!).

Warmly Pricing : You can use their Zoom nametag completely free.

Warmly AI Verdict

If you’re looking to level up your virtual background, them Warmly is a great free option to quickly add to your virtual meetings.

Best for the Solo Entrepreneur

HiHello , while they don’t participate in creating NFC business cards, they create digital business cards, virtual backgrounds, and email signatures via their robust app.

It’s a free app available on both Apple and Android phones that allows you to create, receive, and share digital business cards. With an easy-to-use interface, you can create a beautiful, professional digital card in under ten minutes.

I’ve tested out their free functions, and here’s the digital business card HiHello generated for me:

HiHello’s Pros & Cons

• They don’t have company-designed options for NFC cards, which a large business would likely want.
• You can’t type in hex codes to get your company logo and colors perfectly, which I found a bit annoying.

Pricing: There’s a free digital business card available , but also business plans for large companies. When I tested it out, the free version have me the essential feature, but you really need to upgrade to the Professional level to add in things like colors and logos.

If you’re looking for a virtual business card app that allows you to make, send, receive, and organize your contacts, then this is a great app with a free plan. Note, do not choose them if you’re also wanting a corresponding NFC card.

9. SwitchIt

Best for Small Businesses

SwitchIt is going to be very similar to HiHello in that they create digital business cards that are meant to be sent virtually (no NFC business cards here).

You are able to design, send, receive, and organize your business cards all through the app, helping you keep track of potential clients with ease. They also allow you to send your card to someone that doesn’t have the SwitchIt app downloaded, so it’s very versatile (links to many social media platforms).

SwitchIt Pros and Cons

Pricing: Like many other digital business cards, there is a free version to give you the basic features, with upgrades available as you need them.

Sam’s Verdict

SwitchIt does well when it comes to digitizing your business card with your calendar and address books. Their contact list is really nicely done to help keep you and your business organized.

10. Kado Network

Best for the Large-Scale Networking Professionals

Kado Network is not only a great app for electronic business cards, but it’s designed to serve as an all-in-one online networking app.

Within each contact, you can actually assign tasks for each person, create reminders, and monitor your interaction with each person. This helps you increase follow-ups with potential business customers and increase lead conversions.

Kado Network Benefits

Pricing: Although there is a free version, it only lets up to three users, which won’t be enough for a growing business. At only $4/month, it’s beyond affordable for the functions you receive.

KadoNetwork is a great option for professionals and businesses that are looking for a digital business card with added networking functions such as syncing with your Outlook or Gmail accounts. I love being able to assign tasks to an individual and centralizing their communication as well.

11. CamCard

Best Business Card Organizer

CamCard works a little differently than the others on this list, but I thought it was important to include it. Unlike all the other options, it does not have the function to build a business card. It’s essentially the ultimate physical and electronic business card trader.

So why include this? Well, many people want to use their own designs for a business card instead of using one of the templates provided by other sites. One popular choice is using an app like Canva to design your own business card, then you can upload it to CamCard for all your business card organization.

CamCard Features

Pricing: There’s a free option to download, but know you will have ads to deal with. If you want the ad-free version for an individual, the cost is $46.99 per year.

Here are a few business plans for companies available:

CamCard is the ultimate business card organizer but unfortunately does not make digital business cards itself. It’s great for those using another platform to design their cards.

Best for Designing Business Cards

Canva is a great option for those who are looking to have both physical and digital cards. For those of you not familiar with their product, they host a suite of designing tools with thousands of professional templates . This allows you to use these designs to both print out business cards, as well as upload them to a card organizer like CamCard where you can send and receive them.

If you already have a digital business card, then I actually find Canva super convenient to create a gallery of marketing materials to attach to my cards and socials. Honestly, if you don’t have any experience with them, I highly recommend cruising their site, as it’s pretty much bread and butter for most businesses.

For instance, here’s some graphics I created with their platform to attach to my digital business card gallery:

Canva Benefits

Pricing : There’s a free option, but if you want access to the “pro” designs, then you’ll want to upgrade.

Canva is the ultimate design machine for anything that requires a bit of graphic design. This is perfect if you want to design both a digital and physical business card.

13. Haystack

Best for Marketing Analytics

Haystack is another digital card app that is great for its straightforward features. Create, share, and market your company like never before, and view your analytics to gauge your marketing efforts.

Honestly, their platform seems to be the most basic of them all, which is why it fell to the bottom of this list. Even just viewing their tutorials it seemed very builder-basic . But it did accomplish the following:

Pricing: It’s totally free for individual users, with affordable business plans available.

Haystack is a great option for companies that want to explore their analytics with marketing engagement.

Benefits of Digital Business Cards

Digital business cards do more than simply exchange basic company information- they should be considered as an extension of that first interaction. Naturally, everyone will want to “look you up” after a good discussion. This allows you to steer that process by giving them access to links, videos, and other materials that spotlight’s what your brand can do.

Not to mention, it’s so easy to make the switch.

• Design your NFC card or template (check out digital business cards for Teams if you have a company with dozens or thousands of employees).
• Create a stellar landing page with the best marketing materials.
• Add notes and tasks to your contacts after an interaction for next-level follow-up.
• Track analytics.

Digital Business Cards vs. Paper Business cards

With the world moving virtually, there are a ton of benefits digital business cards have over their traditional card counterparts. It’s a great high-income skill to have.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should go on a digital business card.

Any electronic business card should have your name & job title, company name & logo, and basic contact information like website, phone number, email, and web addresses. Advanced features should include video introductions on your company, and professional social media accounts such as LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or TikTok. You can also include marketing materials, payment options, product links, or listings.

How do you make a digital business card?

Digital business cards are quite easy to create. Simply choose the company you wish to sign-up with (Popl, Mobilo, and Linq are popular choices). From there, they have created an easy way to customize the landing page your prospective clients or partners will see. For a more in-depth answer, I have created a step-by-step guide for you.

Do Digital Business Cards Have QR Codes?

It depends on the company you choose, but nearly all the major market leaders also have a QR code attached to your card.

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I'm on a mission to help small businesses implement the best AI and digital solutions on the market. Digital transformation can be complex and overwhelming, let me help you streamline your approach with my in-depth reviews and experiences.

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Content prompt cards

What is it?

Presentation content prompt cards are a brainstorming tool that help you kickstart presentation development. They provide structured prompts to generate ideas, organize content, find supporting evidence and examples, engage the audience, and choose effective, persuasive visual aids.

Similar to brand cards, they encourage you to explore the 'why' and 'how' of your presentation topic, making it easier to find compelling reasons and examples that resonate with the audience. These prompts also help you frame your content to highlight its relevance and benefits in everyday life, making a presentation more persuasive and impactful.

Step-by-step instructions to create your own prompt cards:

Guide coming soon

What is a Slide Deck? Everything You Need to Know!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

In my personal experience alone, I’ve seen people use very many different words including the word “Slide Deck” for a presentation. I always wondered what is the meaning of Slide Deck, and how is it different from other words commonly used to describe a presentation. So, I did a little research, and here’s what I found out!

A Slide Deck is a term assigned to a group of slides that together form a complete presentation. A slide deck is usually created using a presentation design application. A slide deck is often used as an aid for storytelling or presenting information about a topic or an organization.

But, how is a slide deck different from a slide show or a PowerPoint? In this article, we will understand the nuances of the various presentation terminologies used. Plus, I will also help you understand why is a slide deck really called a slide deck!

So, let’s get started.

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

What is a Slide Deck?

When it comes to describing a presentation, there are several words that are used. One word that is often used is a “Slide Deck”.

As mentioned above, a slide deck really is a collection of slides put together to form a presentation. A slide deck is used in many organizations to give an overview about their organization, to share strategies or plans, or showcase performance updates, or even just sharing a piece of interesting information about a topic. There are several use cases for a slide deck!

You may wonder, “Is slide deck not just the same as a presentation?”. If so, then why not just call it a presentation instead of a slide deck? Why use the term slide deck at all?

Pro Tip: All slide decks are presentations, but not all presentations can be classified as a slide deck!

A presentation is usually a much broader term. For instance, when you are displaying a physical product and verbally sharing nuggets of information about that product, it is still referred to as a presentation. More specifically, it is called a product presentation.

The key difference between a slide deck and presentation is that a presentation is an act of delivering information such as a speech or a talk. Whereas, a slide deck is the visual aid used while giving a presentation!

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, a slide deck and a presentation are actually two different terms!

Why is a Slide Deck called a Slide Deck? A Brief History!

The term slide deck evolved from an old technology that was used for projecting the slides on the wall. A physical 35 mm slide was inserted into a carousel slide projector . All the slides that were used during a presentation were collectively known as a slide deck (as in a deck of cards).

The term “slide deck” stuck around and became synonymous with a presentation even after the technology evolved . Thus, even today, many people refer to a presentation as a slide deck.

If you are wondering how this projector really worked, then you would be amazed to know that each model came with slots for 40 or 80 slides that could be inserted at a time.

Each slide would be placed upside down and backward in terms of the chronological order so that the image projected is in the correct orientation and order. The slide themselves were usually photographs and not much could be done on the slide.

Difference Between Slide Deck and Slide Show?

Another term that people often use interchangeably is a slide deck and a slide show.

A slide deck is the group of slides used to create a presentation. However, when these slides are displayed or shown to an audience while giving a presentation, the process is known as a slide show.

In other words, a slide deck is usually a presentation file whereas a slide show is a process of showing the contents of that file to an audience.

Slide Deck vs PowerPoint: What’s the Difference?

I’ve also seen people get confused between a slide deck and PowerPoint. Again, these are also another set of terms that are used interchangeably. But, there is a difference.

As mentioned before, a slide deck is usually a group of slides collectively put together to give a presentation. The term slide deck has existed even years before PowerPoint was introduced. As we learned above, a slide deck was initially used to describe the batch of physical slides used in a projector.

PowerPoint, on the other hand, is a presentation design software. Unlike a slide or a presentation, PowerPoint is actually a program that is used for designing a slide or creating a presentation.

As the technology evolved and a computer started to have more computing power, complex applications were designed to enable the ease of leveraging technology.

Contrary to the common opinion, PowerPoint was not created by Microsoft. It was first released by Forethought Inc in 1987 initially only for Mac OS. However, Microsoft acquired PowerPoint 3 months after its initial release and rebranded it as Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is the Difference Between Slide Deck and a Pitch Deck?

Another term that you may hear often, especially in the more recent times, is a pitch deck. It is important to note that using the two interchangeably might not be the correct thing to do. Here’s why –

A slide deck is basically all the final slides put together to create a presentation. However, a pitch deck is a type of a slide deck created with a very specific purpose of pitching an idea or a business model to an investor with the intention of raising funds for implementing the idea.

In this era of start-ups and entrepreneurs, a pitch deck is quite common. In fact, every time an organization is looking to raise funds for the project or business, a pitch deck is required.

Simply put, a pitch deck can also be called a slide deck, but not all slide decks can be referred to as a pitch deck!

What is a PowerPoint Slide Deck?

There are multiple ways of creating a slide deck. As we learned earlier, traditionally a slide deck was created using actual physical slides.

As the technology evolved, sophisticated computer applications were used to create a slide deck. One such application is Microsoft PowerPoint.

A PowerPoint slide deck is a term used to describe a slide deck or a presentation that is created using Microsoft PowerPoint as the presentation design application. A PowerPoint slide deck usually consists of multiple slides put together to create a presentation.

That said, a PowerPoint slide deck is more commonly referred to as a “slide deck” or just “Presentation” as PowerPoint is not the only presentation design application available to a user.

What is a Slide Deck in Google Slides?

Although PowerPoint has been one of the most well-known and commonly used presentation design programs, another application that has been gaining in popularity amongst the users is Google Slides!

The idea of a slide deck in Google Slides is pretty much the same. When you put together all the final slides that are going to be used in a presentation using Google Slides, it is known as a slide deck in Google Slides.

If you are not sure what exactly is Google Slides and would like to understand this a bit more in detail, I’ve written a detailed post on this topic. Make sure you check it out! Click on the below link.

What is Google Slides? The ULTIMATE Guide!

How to Make a Slide Deck in PowerPoint?

If you are using PowerPoint, one of the things that you may often be asked to do at work is to make a slide deck in PowerPoint. But, how exactly do you do that? Let me try to answer this question.

Here’s how to make a slide deck in PowerPoint –

• Open a PowerPoint Presentation
• Create a structure for your content
• Create a Title Slide
• Design the Other Remaining Slides
• Use Images relevant to the content
• Add Animations and Transitions
• Create a Thank You Slide
• Save Your Slide Deck
• Share the File with your team

Honestly, this topic deserves a separate article in itself. Perhaps even a single article may not be complete enough to cover this topic.

How to Make a Good Slide Deck?

Let’s face it – most of us don’t want to come across as incompetent. Thus, making a good slide deck is almost always important. But, how exactly does one do that?

There are actually several things that you can do to make an attractive presentation. I actually wrote a detailed article on how to easily create a good slide deck. The tips that I share in that article are also relevant for beginners. So, make sure you check out that article as well! The link is mentioned below.

7 EASY tips that ALWAYS make your PPT presentation attractive (even for beginners)

More Helpful Resources –

• Should You Add Table of Contents in your Presentation?
• How to Give a Presentation When You Are Not Prepared?
• A Quick Guide to Using Animations and Transitions in PowerPoint

Image Credit for the Featured Image

What Is a Slide Deck & How It's Done (Tips & Templates)

Learn what a slide deck is. Get tips and templates for making a professional slide deck presentation for business that goes beyond PowerPoint.

Dominika Krukowska

6 minute read

Short answer

What is a slide deck?

A slide deck is a sequence of slides, or pages, used as visual aids in a presentation or a speech. It’s used in business and education to communicate complex information. The slides in the deck are set in a logical order that completes a coherent narrative.

The term “slide deck” comes from the original mechanical slide projector which used a kind of magazine shaped as a carousel to move through a series of transparent slides which were projected on a screen. The term now refers to individual pages within digital presentations.

Dull presentations achieve only boredom - is your slide deck dull?

Capturing and maintaining an audience's attention is no easy feat. If your presentations are dull, you risk boring your audience, failing to convey your message effectively, or even becoming a go-to example for a bad presentation.

But what if there’s a way to minimize the risk?

In this post, we'll cover what a slide deck is and what it isn't.

You’ll learn how to avoid the common mistakes that demolish engagement and how to create an effective slide deck to transform your presentations from boring to buzzworthy.

Let’s dive in!

Slide deck vs. slideshow

A slide deck is a series of slides crafted for a presentation, whereas a slideshow is typically a looping set of images or videos, often with little to no interactive elements. While slide decks are used for communicating information, slideshows are generally used for entertainment.

Slide deck vs. presentation

The difference between a slide deck and a presentation is that a slide deck is a collection of slides that contains information, while a presentation is the act of delivering the information to an audience. The slide deck is the visual aid used during a presentation to support the speaker's message.

Static vs. interactive slide deck

A static slide deck presentation includes only static content such as text and images, whereas an interactive slide deck presentation includes clickable elements, animations, or embedded media that provide a dynamic, immersive experience users can interact with.

Interactive slide decks have been shown to be much more engaging than static ones since they facilitate the reader’s active participation.

This allows readers to hide or expose content on demand, control the pace at which content is served, and see information tailored to them.

You can see the difference below:

What is a slide deck presentation in PowerPoint?

A slide deck presentation in PowerPoint is a series of static slides arranged in a fixed order.

Created in Microsoft's PowerPoint software, it allows for structured information delivery, but lacks interactive elements, limiting audience engagement during the presentation.

Here's an example of a slide deck presentation in PowerPoint:

What is a slide deck presentation in Google Slides?

In Google Slides, a slide deck presentation is a sequence of slides designed within this cloud-based platform.

It offers the convenience of online collaboration and accessibility, but like traditional tools, it primarily features static slides, limiting the potential for interactive audience engagement.

Here's an example of a slide deck presentation in Google Slides:

What is a slide deck presentation in Storydoc?

A slide deck presentation in Storydoc is more than just a series of slides. It's an interactive journey crafted within the platform using narrated design.

Unlike traditional tools, it allows for dynamic elements and user interaction, significantly enhancing audience engagement and the overall presentation experience.

Here's an example of a slide deck presentation in Storydoc:

What makes a good slide deck?

A good slide deck grabs attention through a clear narrative, compelling visuals, and concise text. It's not just about information, but also interaction.

Engaging slide decks often incorporate dynamic elements, encourage audience participation, and are crafted with an understanding of the audience's needs and interests.

What are slide decks used for in business?

Slide decks are the backbone of effective business communication. They help audiences understand complex concepts, make informed decisions, and take action.

How slide decks are used:

• To present complex data in an understandable way
• To share company updates or strategies during meetings
• To pitch ideas or products to clients or investors
• To support webinars or training sessions
• To tell compelling stories to engage and persuade audiences

What should a slide deck presentation include?

A slide deck presentation should include a clear narrative structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. It should feature compelling visuals that support your message, concise and easy-to-read text, and interactive elements to engage your audience.

Remember to include a call-to-action, guiding your audience towards the desired outcome.

Check out our dedicated guides for specific types of slide decks:

What to Include in a Pitch Deck (Slides 99% of Investors Want)

7 elements of a great sales deck structure

What should a one-pager include?

What does a marketing deck include?

What are the main types of business slide decks?

The main types of business slide decks are:

• Pitch deck presentations
• Sales deck presentations
• Product marketing presentations
• White papers
• Case studies
• Report presentations
• Education and academic presentations
• Business proposal presentations
• Sports sponsorship proposals
• Business plan presentations

Jump ahead to each type:

1. Pitch deck presentations

These slide decks are the golden ticket for startups seeking investment. They succinctly present the business idea, market potential, and growth strategy to convince investors to come on board.

Here’s an example of a pitch deck presentation:

If you want to find out more about pitch deck presentations, read these articles:

What Is a Pitch Deck? A Beginner's Guide to Greatness

Create a Winning Pitch Deck Investors Love (Examples & Tips)

2. Sales deck presentations

These slide decks showcase the unique benefits of your product or service and demonstrate why it's the ideal solution for the customer's needs.

Their main goal is to convince prospects to become paying customers of your solution.

Here’s an example of a sales deck presentation:

To learn more, check out our article on how to make a sales pitch deck that turns ‘Maybe’ to ‘Yes!’ .

3. Product marketing presentations

These slide decks introduce new products or features, highlighting their benefits and how they solve the target audience's problems, sparking interest and driving sales.

Here’s an example of a product marketing presentation:

4. White papers

These slide decks are comprehensive reports that provide an in-depth analysis of a problem and its solution, showcasing your business expertise.

Here’s an example of a white paper:

5. Case studies

These slide decks share customer success stories. They show how your product or service has helped a customer, building credibility with potential clients.

Here’s an example of a case study:

For more information, check out our blog posts:

What Is a Case Study & Customer Success Story?

5 Steps for Writing a Case Study for Business (+Templates)

12 Steps to Create a Business Case Study That Converts

Case Study Format Types: Match Format with Business Goals

These decks present complex data in an engaging way. They transform raw data into understandable insights, making information accessible to all.

Here’s an example of a report presentation:

7. One-pagers

These slide decks provide a quick overview of your product or service on the first touchpoint with a potential customer. They highlight key features and benefits in a concise, easy-to-digest format.

Here’s an example of a one-pager presentation:

To learn more about this slide deck type, read our guides:

What Is a One-Pager: Types, Benefits & Main Use Cases

Make One-Pagers That Grab Attention, Engage & Convert

Create a Sales One-Pager (Examples, Writing Tips, Templates)

Create a Business Plan One-Pager (+ Proven Templates)

How to Create a Startup One-Pager That Wows Investors

How to Create a Product One-Pager (That Gets People Excited)

8. Education and academic presentations

These slide decks simplify complex concepts and present research findings in an engaging way, fostering understanding and learning.

Here’s an example of an academic presentation:

Research proposal

This school research presentation template is perfect for students who need to present their findings from a research project. The template includes space for a title, introduction, main body, conclusion, and bibliography.

For more guidance, we have an article on how to write a research proposal that includes tips and templates.

9. Business proposal presentations

These slide decks summarize your offering and demonstrate its value, helping to secure business agreements and close deals.

Here’s an example of a business proposal presentation:

If you want to create your own, make sure to check out these posts:

How to Write a Business Proposal (Examples & Templates)

Make a Winning Business Proposal Presentation in 12 Steps

10. Sports sponsorship proposals

These slide decks highlight the benefits sponsors will receive in return for their investment, helping to secure funding for sports teams.

Here’s an example of a sports sponsorship proposal presentation:

Football sponsorship proposal

This bright and energetic template reflects the dynamic nature of sports. With a combination of text-based and interactive slides, you'll easily convey the history of your organization, as well as the team's main drivers and objectives, to make sponsors instantly realize the value for their money.

11. Business plan presentations

These slide decks serve as roadmaps for businesses. They detail the company's strategy and objectives, aligning team members and attracting potential investors.

Here’s an example of a business plan presentation:

General Business Plan

This template has everything you need to create a visual summary of your business idea. Thanks to a range of interactive slides, you'll be able to convey your vision in a way that impresses investors and gets you the necessary buy-in.

Best slide deck templates to get you started

Embarking on your slide deck journey doesn't have to start from scratch. With tried and tested templates, you're already a step ahead. They’re designed to be responsive, ensuring your content shines on every device.

If you're ready to take your presentations to the next level, explore our interactive slide deck templates below, guided by AI and reader feedback. They’ll help you create professional slide decks that captivate, engage, and inspire.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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What Is a Deck Presentation?

Explore what a deck presentation is, including pitch decks, slide decks, and innovative alternatives to traditional formats.

Types of Deck Presentations

1. pitch deck presentation, 2. slide deck presentation, 3. walking deck presentation, 4. powerpoint deck presentation, breaking away from standard slide decks.

• Interactive Presentations: These allow the audience to interact with the content, choose paths through the material, or delve deeper into topics of interest through embedded links or multimedia elements.
• Infographic Presentations: Utilizing strong visual graphics to tell a story or present data, these are less text-heavy than standard slide decks and often more engaging.
• Prezi Presentations: Known for its zoomable user interface, Prezi offers a dynamic alternative to the linear progression of traditional slides, making it suitable for more narrative-driven or conceptual presentations.

Why Use a Deck Presentation?

• Clarity and Engagement: Visual aids help clarify complex information and maintain the audience's interest.
• Professionalism: A well-designed deck reflects professionalism and preparedness, enhancing the presenter's credibility.
• Record Keeping: Decks can be shared and reviewed after presentations, serving as a documentation of what was discussed.

Best Practices for Creating Effective Deck Presentations

• Keep it Concise: Each slide should convey only one idea, keeping text minimal and to the point.
• Use Visuals Wisely: Incorporate charts, graphs, and images to break up text and illustrate points more vividly.
• Consistent Style: Use a uniform design template, font sizes, and colors to maintain a professional and coherent look.
• Rehearse: Practice your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery and timing.

Create PPT using AI

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Ayan Ahmad Fareedi

writer at MagicSlides

How to Make a Good Pitch Presentation

23 August 2024

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I Quit My Corporate Job to Start a Business. Here's How I Went From Having $35,000 Credit Card Debt to Making $4 Million. Courtney Allen, founder and CEO of presentation design agency 16x9, "recklessly" left corporate life behind in 2015 to pursue entrepreneurship.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas Oct 30, 2024

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Courtney Allen. Allen is the founder and CEO of 16x9 , a global presentation design agency, and is based in Seoul, Korea. Learn how she turned her freelancing gigs on Upwork into a multimillion-dollar business.

The piece has been edited for length and clarity.

Related: She Quit Her 'Toxic' Job to Pursue a Freelancing Side Hustle. Now She Leads Her Team With Compassion, Makes 6 Figures and Even Bought a House.

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