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Keynote presentations serve as the cornerstone of events. They often establish the theme or purpose of the event and set the tone for subsequent sessions. While some presenters forgo traditional visual presentations in favor of dramatic storytelling, others captivate audience members with striking visual insights and imagery. A compelling visual presentation requires more than great content – it needs style. The right presentation software can transform a slide-driven speech into a memorable audience experience.

What to Look for in Presentation Software

Many speakers look first at the functionality of the software for developing a presentation. While general text and image editing functionality is important, presentation usability is also a key factor. Seasoned presenters understand the embarrassment and headaches that arise when presentations fail to perform properly in the moment. A solid presentation application will not only streamline the creation process, but also deliver a reliably seamless presentation performance.

Beyond function and usability, consider the kind of presentation the software will routinely support. Some keynote speakers use multimedia presentations that involve still images as well as video for a dynamic experience, while others may stick with a more traditional slide-based show. Choose an application that addresses specific presentation needs instead of wrestling with an application that offers too many or too few features.

Great Software Applications to Consider

To make a keynote presentation stand out, consider these great applications in addition to old standbys, including Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote: 

1. Swoosh. For speakers who appreciate the functionality of more traditional slideshow platforms, Swoosh offers familiar functionality with added mobile-friendliness. Instead of using a timed show or a clicker to transition slides, Swoosh gives presenters the ability to control a presentation with a few intuitive movements in front of a smartphone.

When ready to present, the speaker can open the application, set it down in front of him or her, and change slides with a hand wave. The hands-free nature eliminates poor transition timing and other hiccups that can arise with remotes and preset slide changes. The program is compatible with commonly used presentation programs, including PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, and Haiku Deck.

2. Prezi. Some presenters work with graphic design teams to develop visually stunning presentations, but not every keynote speaker has the time or desire to outsource presentation development. Prezi, a cloud-based service, gives everyday users the ability to create ideation canvases and slides, adjust them in real time, share slides online, and track presentation success. Many professionals also use it to brainstorm with team members. With ready-to-use templates and customization capabilities, the application takes traditional slideshow building a step further. 

Tech entrepreneur, growth hacker, and speaker Josh Linkner, describes Prezi as, “a wonderful visual presentation tool … [that is] better to create in, and more impactful for audiences.”

3. Emaze. Many presentation tools exclusively focus on slide-driven presentations. Emaze allows speakers to create presentations as well as websites, cards, blogs, and other content assets. For some speakers, the ability to transform a keynote presentation into a landing page or blog may offer additional value. Swoosh also supports presentations created with this technology.

Speakers searching for something that goes beyond PowerPoint and Keynote have many options. Each application offers a slightly different value proposition, such as streamlining the presentation process or easily adapting a business presentation on the fly. Invest in one of these versatile applications that will facilitate the creative process rather than hinder it.

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