what are the different types of case presentation

Case study presentation: A comprehensive guide

This comprehensive guide covers everything from the right topic to designing your slides and delivering your presentation.

Raja Bothra

Building presentations

Hey there, fellow content creators and business enthusiasts!

If you're looking to take your presentations to the next level, you've come to the right place.

In today's digital age, a powerful case study presentation is your secret weapon to leave a lasting impression on potential clients, colleagues, or stakeholders.

It's time to demystify the art of case study presentations and equip you with the knowledge to create compelling and persuasive slides that showcase your expertise.

What is a case study?

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty details of creating a compelling case study presentation, let's start with the basics. What exactly is a case study? A case study is a detailed analysis of a specific subject, often focusing on a real-world problem or situation. It serves as a valuable tool to showcase your expertise and the impact your solutions can have on real issues.

Case study presentations are not just reports; they are powerful storytelling tools designed to engage your audience and provide insights into your success stories. Whether you're a marketer, a salesperson, or an educator, knowing how to present a case study effectively can be a game-changer for your business.

Why is it important to have an effective case study presentation?

The importance of a well-crafted case study presentation cannot be overstated. It's not just about sharing information; it's about convincing your audience that your product or service is the solution they've been looking for. Here are a few reasons why case study presentations matter:

Generating leads and driving sales

Picture this: a potential customer is exploring your website, trying to figure out if your product or service is the right fit for their needs. An effective case study can be the clincher, demonstrating how your offering has guided other businesses to success. When prospects witness a proven track record of your product or service making a difference, they are more inclined to place their trust in you and forge a partnership. In essence, case studies can be the catalyst that transforms casual visitors into paying customers.

Building credibility and social proof

In the realm of business, credibility is akin to gold. A well-crafted case study is your gateway to establishing authority and unveiling the remarkable value you bring to the table. It's not just you saying you're the best; it's your satisfied clients proclaiming it through their experiences. Every compelling case study is a testimonial in itself, a testament to your capability to deliver tangible results. In essence, it's a vote of confidence from others in your field, and these votes can be a potent motivator for potential clients.

Educating and informing your target audience

Education is a cornerstone of building lasting relationships with your audience. Case studies are an invaluable tool for teaching potential clients about the merits of your product or service and how it can address their specific challenges. They're not just stories; they're lessons, revealing the real-world benefits of what you offer. By doing so, you position your company as a thought leader in your industry and cultivate trust among your audience. You're not just selling; you're empowering your audience with knowledge.

Increasing brand awareness

Your brand deserves to be in the spotlight. Case studies can serve as a beacon, promoting your brand and its offerings across a multitude of platforms. From your website to social media and email marketing, case studies help you amplify your brand's presence and appeal. As you increase your reach and visibility, you also draw the attention of new customers, who are eager to experience the success stories they've read about in your case studies.

Different types of case study presentation

Now that you understand why case study presentations are vital, let's explore the various types you can use to showcase your successes.

Business case studies presentation : Business case studies presentation focus on how your product or service has impacted a specific company or organization. These are essential tools for B2B companies, as they demonstrate the tangible benefits your solution brings to other businesses.

Marketing case studies presentation : If you're in the marketing game, you've probably come across these frequently. Marketing case studies dive into the strategies and tactics used to achieve specific marketing goals. They provide insights into successful campaigns and can be a great resource for other marketers.

Product case studies presentation : For companies that offer products, a product case study can be a game-changer. It shows potential clients how your product functions in the real world and why it's the best choice for them.

KPIs and metrics to add in case study presentation

When presenting a case study, you're not just telling a story; you're also showcasing the concrete results of your efforts. Numbers matter, and they can add significant credibility to your presentation. While there's a vast array of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics you can include, here are some that you should definitely consider:

Conversion rate : This metric is a reflection of how effective your product or service has been in driving conversions. It demonstrates the rate at which visitors take the desired actions, whether it's signing up for your newsletter, making a purchase, or any other valuable engagement.

ROI (return on investment) : It's the financial impact that counts, and ROI is the king of financial metrics. It's a clear indicator of how your solution has provided value, showing the return on the investment made by your client.

Engagement metrics : Engaging your audience is a vital part of the puzzle. Metrics like click-through rates and social media interactions reveal how effectively your solution has drawn people in and kept them engaged.

Customer satisfaction : A satisfied customer is a loyal customer. Showcase customer satisfaction scores or even better, let the clients themselves tell their stories through testimonials. These scores and testimonials are potent proof of your ability to meet and exceed expectations.

Sales growth : When applicable, include data on how your solution has catalyzed sales growth. Sales growth is a pivotal indicator of the practical, real-world impact of your product or service.

However, it's important to note that there are some general KPIs and metrics that are commonly used in case study presentations. These metrics are not only universal but also highly effective in conveying the success of your case study:

• Website traffic : The number of visitors to your website over a specified period is an important indicator of the reach and impact of your case study. It shows how many people were interested enough to seek more information.
• Conversion rate : This percentage reveals how successful your website is at converting visitors into taking a desired action. Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or any other specific action, a high conversion rate signifies effective engagement.
• Customer lifetime value (CLV) : The CLV is a valuable metric, representing the average amount of money a customer spends with your company over their lifetime. It's a testament to the long-term value your product or service provides.
• Average order value (AOV) : The AOV showcases the average amount of money a customer spends in a single transaction. It's a metric that demonstrates the immediate value your solution offers.
• Net promoter score (NPS) : This customer satisfaction metric measures how likely your customers are to recommend your company to others. A high NPS indicates satisfied customers who can become advocates for your brand.

Incorporating these KPIs and metrics not only adds credibility to your case study presentation but also provides a well-rounded view of your success story. It's the data that speaks the loudest and validates the impact of your product or service.

How to structure an effective case study presentation

Structuring an effective case study presentation is essential for conveying information clearly and persuasively to your audience. Whether you're presenting to colleagues, clients, or students, a well-organized case study presentation can make a significant impact. Here are some key steps to structure your case study presentation effectively:

1. Introduction :

Start with a brief introduction that sets the stage for your case study. Explain the context, the purpose of the study, and the key objectives you aim to achieve. This section should pique the audience's interest and provide a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Background and context :

Provide a comprehensive overview of the background and context of the case study. This might include the industry, company, or problem under consideration. Explain why the case study is relevant and the issues it addresses. Make sure your audience understands the "why" before delving into the details.

3. Problem statement :

Clearly define the problem or challenge that the case study focuses on. This is a critical element as it helps the audience grasp the significance of the issue at hand. Use data and evidence to support your claims and emphasize the real-world impact of the problem.

4. Methodology :

Describe the methods and approach you used to analyze the case. This section should outline your research process, data collection tools , and any methods or frameworks employed. It's important to demonstrate the rigor of your analysis and data sources.

5. Findings and analysis :

Present the key findings and insights from your case study. Use data, charts, graphs, and visuals to make the information more accessible and engaging. Discuss your analysis and provide explanations for the findings. It's crucial to show a deep understanding of the problem and its implications.

6. Solution or action plan :

Outline the solution, recommendations, or action plan you've developed based on your analysis. Explain the rationale behind your proposed solution and how it directly addresses the problem. Include implementation steps, timelines, and any potential obstacles.

7. Results and outcomes :

Highlight the results and outcomes of implementing your solution, if applicable. Use before-and-after comparisons, success metrics, and tangible achievements to illustrate the effectiveness of your recommendations. This helps demonstrate the real-world impact of your work.

8. Lessons learned :

Share any lessons learned from the case study. Discuss what worked well, what didn't, and any unexpected challenges. This reflective element shows that you can extract valuable insights from the experience.

9. Conclusion :

Summarize the key takeaways from your case study and restate its significance. Make a compelling case for the importance of the findings and the applicability of the solution in a broader context.

10. Recommendations and next steps :

Provide recommendations for the future, including any further actions that can be taken or additional research required. Give your audience a sense of what to do next based on the case study's insights.

11. Q&A and discussion :

Open the floor for questions and discussion. Encourage your audience to ask for clarification, share their perspectives, and engage in a constructive dialogue about the case study.

12. References and appendices :

Include a list of references, citations, and any supplementary materials in appendices that support your case study. This adds credibility to your presentation and allows interested individuals to delve deeper into the subject.

A well-structured case study presentation not only informs but also persuades your audience by providing a clear narrative and a logical flow of information. It is an opportunity to showcase your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the value of your work in a practical setting.

Do’s and don'ts on a case study presentation

To ensure your case study presentation hits the mark, here's a quick rundown of some do's and don'ts:

• Use visual aids : Visual aids like charts and graphs can make complex data more digestible.
• Tell a story : Engage your audience by narrating a compelling story.
• Use persuasive language : Convincing your audience requires a persuasive tone.
• Include testimonials : Real-life experiences add authenticity to your presentation.
• Follow a format : Stick to a well-structured format for clarity.

Don'ts:

• Avoid jargon : Keep it simple and free from industry jargon.
• Don't oversell : Be honest about your product or service's capabilities.
• Don't make it too long : A concise presentation is more effective than a lengthy one.
• Don't overload with data : Focus on the most relevant and impactful data.

Summarizing key takeaways

• Understanding case studies : Case studies are detailed analyses of specific subjects, serving to showcase expertise and solution impact.
• Importance of effective case study presentations : They generate leads, build credibility, educate the audience, and increase brand awareness.
• Types of case study presentations : Business, marketing, and product case studies focus on different aspects of impact.
• KPIs and metrics : Key metrics, such as conversion rates, ROI, engagement metrics, customer satisfaction, and sales growth, add credibility.
• Structuring an effective case study presentation : Follow a structured format with an introduction, background, problem statement, methodology, findings, solution, results, lessons learned, conclusion, recommendations, and Q&A.
• Do's : Use visuals, tell a compelling story, use persuasive language, include testimonials, and follow a structured format.
• Don'ts: Use jargon, oversell, make it too long, or overload with unnecessary data.

1. How do I create a compelling case study presentation?

To create a compelling case study presentation, you can use a case study template that will help you structure your content in a clear and concise manner. You can also make use of a case study presentation template to ensure that your presentation slides are well-organized. Additionally, make your case study like a pro by using real-life examples and a professional case study format.

2. What is the best way to present a case study to prospective clients?

When presenting a case study to prospective clients, it's essential to use case study presentation template. This will help you present your findings in a persuasive way, just like a professional presentation. You can also use a powerpoint case study template to make your case study presentation in no time. The length of a case study can vary depending on the complexity, but a well-written case study is key to helping your clients understand the value.

3. Where can I find popular templates to use for my case study presentation?

You can find popular case study presentation powerpoint templates online. These templates are specifically designed to help you create a beautiful case study that will impress your audience. They often include everything you need to impress your audience, from the case study format to the presentation deck. Using templates you can use is one of the best ways to create a case study presentation in a professional and efficient manner.

4. What is the purpose of a case study in content marketing, and how can I use one effectively?

The purpose of a case study in content marketing is to showcase real-world examples of how your product or service has solved a problem or added value to clients. To use a case study effectively, write a case study that features a relevant case study example and use a case study like a pro to make your case. You can also embed your case study within your content marketing strategy to help your clients and prospective clients understand the value your business offers.

5. How can I ensure that my case study presentation stands out as the best in my industry?

To ensure your case study presentation stands out as the best, you can follow a compelling business case study design. Use a case study template that includes everything you need to present a compelling and successful case, just like PowerPoint case study presentations. Make sure your case study is clear and concise, and present it in a persuasive way. Using real-life examples and following the sections in your template can set your presentation apart from the rest, making it the best case study presentation in your field.

Create your case study presentation with prezent

Prezent, the communication success platform designed for enterprise teams, offers a host of valuable tools and features to assist in creating an impactful case study presentation.

• Brand-approved design : With access to over 35,000 slides in your company's brand-approved design, your case study presentation can maintain a consistent and professional look that aligns with your corporate brand and marketing guidelines.
• Structured storytelling : Prezent helps you master structured storytelling by offering 50+ storylines commonly used by business leaders. This ensures your case study presentation follows a compelling and coherent narrative structure.
• Time and cost efficiency : Prezent can save you valuable time and resources. It can help you save 70% of the time required to make presentations and reduce communication costs by 60%, making it a cost-effective solution for creating case study presentations.
• Enterprise-grade security : Your data's security is a top priority for Prezent. With independent third-party assurance, you can trust that your sensitive information remains protected while creating and sharing your case study presentation.

In summary, Prezent empowers you to create a compelling case study presentation by offering personalized audience insights, brand-compliant designs, structured storytelling support, real-time collaboration, efficiency gains, and robust data security. It's a comprehensive platform for achieving communication success in the world of enterprise presentations.

Are you ready to take your case study presentations to the next level?  Try our free trial or book a demo today with Prezent!

More zenpedia articles

Finding how many words per minute is ideal for an effective speech at work

Top 12 communication strategies for managers to enhance team collaboration

How many slides are needed for a 30-minute presentation?

Get the latest from Prezent community

Join thousands of subscribers who receive our best practices on communication, storytelling, presentation design, and more. New tips weekly. (No spam, we promise!)

Home Blog Business How to Present a Case Study: Examples and Best Practices

How to Present a Case Study: Examples and Best Practices

Marketers, consultants, salespeople, and all other types of business managers often use case study analysis to highlight a success story, showing how an exciting problem can be or was addressed. But how do you create a compelling case study and then turn it into a memorable presentation? Get a lowdown from this post! 

Table of Content s

Why Case Studies are a Popular Marketing Technique 

Popular case study format types, how to write a case study: a 4-step framework, how to do a case study presentation: 3 proven tips, how long should a case study be, final tip: use compelling presentation visuals, business case study examples, what is a case study .

Let’s start with this great case study definition by the University of South Caroline:

In the social sciences, the term case study refers to both a method of analysis and a specific research design for examining a problem, both of which can generalize findings across populations.

In simpler terms — a case study is investigative research into a problem aimed at presenting or highlighting solution(s) to the analyzed issues.

A standard business case study provides insights into:

• General business/market conditions 
• The main problem faced 
• Methods applied 
• The outcomes gained using a specific tool or approach

Case studies (also called case reports) are also used in clinical settings to analyze patient outcomes outside of the business realm. 

But this is a topic for another time. In this post, we’ll focus on teaching you how to write and present a case study, plus share several case study PowerPoint templates and design tips! 

Besides presenting a solution to an internal issue, case studies are often used as a content marketing technique . According to a 2020 Content Marketing Institute report, 69% of B2B marketers use case studies as part of their marketing mix.

A case study informs the reader about a possible solution and soft-sells the results, which can be achieved with your help (e.g., by using your software or by partnering with your specialist). 

For the above purpose, case studies work like a charm. Per the same report: 

• For 9% of marketers, case studies are also the best method for nurturing leads. 
• 23% admit that case studies are beneficial for improving conversions. 

Moreover, case studies also help improve your brand’s credibility, especially in the current fake news landscape and dubious claims made without proper credit. 

Ultimately, case studies naturally help build up more compelling, relatable stories and showcase your product benefits through the prism of extra social proof, courtesy of the case study subject. 

Most case studies come either as a slide deck or as a downloadable PDF document. 

Typically, you have several options to distribute your case study for maximum reach:

• Case study presentations — in-person, virtual, or pre-recorded, there are many times when a case study presentation comes in handy. For example, during client workshops, sales pitches, networking events, conferences, trade shows, etc. 
• Dedicated website page — highlighting case study examples on your website is a great way to convert middle-on-the-funnel prospects. Google’s Think With Google case study section is a great example of a web case study design done right.

• Blog case studies — data-driven storytelling is a staunch way to stand apart from your competition by providing unique insights, no other brand can tell. 
• Video case studies — video is a great medium for showcasing more complex business cases and celebrating customer success stories.

Once you decide on your case study format, the next step is collecting data and then translating it into a storyline. There are different case study methods and research approaches you can use to procure data. 

But let’s say you already have all your facts straight and need to organize them in a clean copy for your presentation deck. Here’s how you should do it. 

1. Identify the Problem 

Every compelling case study research starts with a problem statement definition. While in business settings, there’s no need to explain your methodology in-depth; you should still open your presentation with a quick problem recap slide.

Be sure to mention: 

• What’s the purpose of the case study? What will the audience learn? 
• Set the scene. Explain the before, aka the problems someone was facing. 
• Advertise the main issues and findings without highlighting specific details.

The above information should nicely fit in several paragraphs or 2-3 case study template slides

2. Explain the Solution 

The bulk of your case study copy and presentation slides should focus on the provided solution(s). This is the time to speak at length about how the subject went from before to the glorious after. 

Here are some writing prompts to help you articulate this better:

• State the subject’s main objective and goals. What outcomes were they after?
• Explain the main solution(s) provided. What was done? Why this, but not that? 
• Mention if they tried any alternatives. Why did those work? Why were you better?

This part may take the longest to write. Don’t rush it and reiterate several times. Sprinkle in some powerful words and catchphrases to make your copy more compelling.

3. Collect Testimonials 

Persuasive case studies feature the voice of customer (VoC) data — first-party testimonials and assessments of how well the solution works. These provide extra social proof and credibility to all the claims you are making. 

So plan and schedule interviews with your subjects to collect their input and testimonials. Also, design your case study interview questions in a way that lets you obtain quantifiable results.

4. Package The Information in a Slide Deck

Once you have a rough first draft, try different business case templates and designs to see how these help structure all the available information. 

As a rule of thumb, try to keep one big idea per slide. If you are talking about a solution, first present the general bullet points. Then give each solution a separate slide where you’ll provide more context and perhaps share some quantifiable results.

For example, if you look at case study presentation examples from AWS like this one about Stripe , you’ll notice that the slide deck has few texts and really focuses on the big picture, while the speaker provides extra context.

Need some extra case study presentation design help? Download our Business Case Study PowerPoint template with 100% editable slides. 

Your spoken presentation (and public speaking skills ) are equally if not more important than the case study copy and slide deck. To make a strong case study, follow these quick techniques. Alternatively, you can learn how to present a business case here.

Focus on Telling a Great Story

A case study is a story of overcoming a challenge, and achieving something grand. Your delivery should reflect that. Step away from the standard “features => benefits” sales formula. Instead, make your customer the hero of the study. Describe the road they went through and how you’ve helped them succeed. 

The premises of your story can be as simple as:

• Help with overcoming a hurdle
• Gaining major impact
• Reaching a new milestone
• Solving a persisting issue no one else code 

Based on the above, create a clear story arc. Show where your hero started. Then explain what type of journey they went through. Inject some emotions into the mix to make your narrative more relatable and memorable. 

Experiment with Copywriting Formulas 

Copywriting is the art and science of organizing words into compelling and persuasive combinations that help readers retain the right ideas. 

To ensure that the audience retains the right takeaways from your case study presentation, you can try using some of the classic copywriting formulas to structure your delivery. These include:

• AIDCA — short for A ttention, I nterest, D esire, C onviction, and A ction. First, grab the audience’s attention by addressing the major problem. Next, pique their interest with some teaser facts. Spark their desire by showing that you know the right way out. Then, show a conviction that you know how to solve the issue—finally, prompt follow-up action such as contacting you to learn more. 
• PADS — is short for Problem, Agitation, Discredit, or Solution. This is more of a sales approach to case study narration. Again, you start with a problem, agitate about its importance, discredit why other solutions won’t cut it, and then present your option. 
• 4Ps — short for P roblem, P romise, P roof, P roposal. This is a middle-ground option that prioritizes storytelling over hard pitches. Set the scene first with a problem. Then make a promise of how you can solve it. Show proof in the form of numbers, testimonials, and different scenarios. Round it up with a proposal for getting the same outcomes. 

Take an Emotion-Inducing Perspective

The key to building a strong rapport with an audience is showing that you are one of them and fully understand what they are going through. 

One of the ways to build this connection is by speaking from an emotion-inducing perspective. This is best illustrated with an example: 

• A business owner went to the bank
• A business owner came into a bank branch 

In the second case, the wording prompts listeners to paint a mental picture from the perspective of the bank employees — a role you’d like them to relate to. By placing your audience in the right visual perspective, you can make them more receptive to your pitches. 

One common question that arises when creating a case study is determining its length. The length of a case study can vary depending on the complexity of the problem and the level of detail you want to provide. Here are some general guidelines to help you decide how long your case study should be:

• Concise and Informative: A good case study should be concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary fluff and filler content. Focus on providing valuable information and insights.
• Tailor to Your Audience: Consider your target audience when deciding the length. If you’re presenting to a technical audience, you might include more in-depth technical details. For a non-technical audience, keep it more high-level and accessible.
• Cover Key Points: Ensure that your case study covers the key points effectively. These include the problem statement, the solution, and the outcomes. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the context and the significance of your case.
• Visuals: Visual elements such as charts, graphs, images, and diagrams can help convey information more effectively. Use visuals to supplement your written content and make complex information easier to understand.
• Engagement: Keep your audience engaged. A case study that is too long may lose the reader’s interest. Make sure the content is engaging and holds the reader’s attention throughout.
• Consider the Format: Depending on the format you choose (e.g., written document, presentation, video), the ideal length may vary. For written case studies, aim for a length that can be easily read in one sitting.

In general, a written case study for business purposes often falls in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 words. However, this is not a strict rule, and the length can be shorter or longer based on the factors mentioned above.

Our brain is wired to process images much faster than text. So when you are presenting a case study, always look for an opportunity to tie in some illustrations such as: 

• A product demo/preview
• Processes chart 
• Call-out quotes or numbers
• Custom illustrations or graphics 
• Customer or team headshots 

Use icons to minimize the volume of text. Also, opt for readable fonts that can look good in a smaller size too.

To better understand how to create an effective business case study, let’s explore some examples of successful case studies:

Apple Inc.: Apple’s case study on the launch of the iPhone is a classic example. It covers the problem of a changing mobile phone market, the innovative solution (the iPhone), and the outstanding outcomes, such as market dominance and increased revenue.

Tesla, Inc.: Tesla’s case study on electric vehicles and sustainable transportation is another compelling example. It addresses the problem of environmental concerns and the need for sustainable transportation solutions. The case study highlights Tesla’s electric cars as the solution and showcases the positive impact on reducing carbon emissions.

Amazon.com: Amazon’s case study on customer-centricity is a great illustration of how the company transformed the e-commerce industry. It discusses the problem of customer dissatisfaction with traditional retail, Amazon’s customer-focused approach as the solution, and the remarkable outcomes in terms of customer loyalty and market growth.

Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola’s case study on brand evolution is a valuable example. It outlines the challenge of adapting to changing consumer preferences and demographics. The case study demonstrates how Coca-Cola continually reinvented its brand to stay relevant and succeed in the global market.

Airbnb: Airbnb’s case study on the sharing economy is an intriguing example. It addresses the problem of travelers seeking unique and affordable accommodations. The case study presents Airbnb’s platform as the solution and highlights its impact on the hospitality industry and the sharing economy.

These examples showcase the diversity of case studies in the business world and how they effectively communicate problems, solutions, and outcomes. When creating your own business case study, use these examples as inspiration and tailor your approach to your specific industry and target audience.

Finally, practice your case study presentation several times — solo and together with your team — to collect feedback and make last-minute refinements! 

1. Business Case Study PowerPoint Template

To efficiently create a Business Case Study it’s important to ask all the right questions and document everything necessary, therefore this PowerPoint Template will provide all the sections you need.

Use This Template

2. Medical Case Study PowerPoint Template

3. Medical Infographics PowerPoint Templates

4. Success Story PowerPoint Template

5. Detective Research PowerPoint Template

6. Animated Clinical Study PowerPoint Templates

Like this article? Please share

Business Intelligence, Business Planning, Business PowerPoint Templates, Content Marketing, Feasibility Study, Marketing, Marketing Strategy Filed under Business

Related Articles

Filed under Presentation Ideas • June 28th, 2024

Key Insights on How To End a Presentation Effectively

Learn key insights on how to end a presentation, with professional tips, PowerPoint templates examples and real life experiences.

Filed under Business • May 17th, 2024

How to Make a Transition Plan Presentation

Make change procedures in your company a successful experience by implementing transition plan presentations. A detailed guide with PPT templates.

Filed under Business • May 8th, 2024

Value Chain Analysis: A Guide for Presenters

Discover how to construct an actionable value chain analysis presentation to showcase to stakeholders with this detailed guide + templates.

Leave a Reply

• Public Speaking
• Visit our Store

9 Types of Presentations You Should Know (With Examples)

8 Effective Ways to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation

How to write a problem statement slide, how to write the perfect titles for your slides, pro tips to create an impactful employee induction presentation.

Mastering the art of crafting and delivering presentations is vital across diverse contexts and industries. In a world where effective communication often determines success or failure, understanding the various types of presentations is key. Each presentation type fulfills a distinct role, which we will understand in this article. So, let’s get going!

Why is it Important to Understand Different Types of Presentations?

Different presentations serve distinct purposes, each tailored to achieve specific goals and connect with audiences uniquely.  Imagine trying to motivate a team using the same approach you would use to deliver a technical report – it just would not work. 

Whether aiming to inform, persuade, train, or inspire, understanding and utilizing various presentation styles ensures you communicate your message properly and engage your audience on the right level. Each presentation type, from informative to persuasive, is like a tool in a toolkit designed for specific tasks to help you achieve your objectives.

Moreover, adapting to different styles keeps your communication fresh and dynamic. A one-size-fits-all approach can lead to disengagement, whereas using the right style for the proper context maintains interest and maximizes impact. 

Types of Presentations

1. informative presentation.

Informative presentations are designed to educate the audience on a specific topic. They provide clear, factual, and comprehensive information that enhances understanding. These presentations are commonly used in academic settings, corporate training sessions, and public awareness campaigns. 

For instance, a professor might deliver an informative presentation on the impacts of global warming, outlining the scientific principles, current data, and potential future scenarios. 

To make such presentations more effective, focus on organization and clarity. Commence with an introduction that sets the context and outlines the main points you will cover. Break down each section to address a specific aspect of the topic, providing detailed explanations supported by evidence and examples. Make sure to harness the power of visuals and charts to explain complicated data in simple terms.

2. Persuasive Presentation

Persuasive presentations convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take specific actions. These presentations are essential in various contexts, such as marketing, sales, and advocacy. 

The best way to increase their impact is by proactively addressing potential objections and counter-arguments. This approach demonstrates thorough understanding and preparation, which strengthens your credibility. 

Incorporate testimonials, case studies, and real-life examples to enhance persuasion by providing tangible proof of your claims. Deliver a clear and compelling call to action at the end of the presentation to encourage the audience to take the desired step, whether supporting a cause or changing a behavior. 

For example, this style can be used by non-profit leaders to advocate for a cause, such as raising funds for calamities, creating awareness, etc.

3. Demonstrative Presentation

How-to-do or demonstrative presentations focus on showing the audience how to do something through detailed, step-by-step instructions. They are particularly effective in educational settings, workshops, and training sessions where practical knowledge and hands-on experience are essential. 

For example, a project manager conducting a training session might give a demonstrative presentation on using a new project management software. The manager would guide the team through each stage of the software, from setting up a new project to tracking progress and generating reports, ensuring that participants understand and can replicate the steps independently.

Interactive elements, such as allowing the audience to follow along or ask questions in real-time, can further enhance understanding and retention. 

4. Sales Presentation

Have you ever found it challenging to convince customers to buy a product or service? Here sales presentations can help you navigate the challenge. These presentations showcase your unique value propositions, address the pains of your audience, and convey how your products can improve their situation.

For example, a sales representative for a new software solution might present its advanced features, user-friendly interface, and how it can streamline the client’s workflow, ultimately saving time and increasing productivity.

To make a sales presentation effective, you must understand the audience’s needs and tailor your content accordingly. Highlight the product’s core competencies, such as its superior performance, cost-effectiveness, or innovative features. Close your presentation and encourage the audience to take the next step, whether scheduling a follow-up meeting, requesting a demo, or making a purchase. 

5. Motivational Presentation

A motivational presentation aims to inspire and energize the audience, encouraging them to achieve their goals or make positive life changes. Such presentations often appeal to emotions, using powerful stories, personal experiences, and uplifting messages to connect with the audience on a deeper level. 

For instance, a keynote speaker at a corporate event might share their journey from overcoming significant challenges to achieving success, emphasizing resilience and perseverance as keys to personal and professional growth.

You can curate an engaging narrative that resonates deeply with the audience’s aspirations and struggles and engage them with relatable anecdotes and success stories that forge an emotional connection. Use inspirational quotes, vivid imagery, and energetic delivery to boost the motivational effect, encouraging listeners to visualize their own success and fully believe in their potential.

Offer practical advice, set achievable challenges, or provide valuable resources to support their journey. By leaving the audience with a strong sense of empowerment and clear direction, you can drive meaningful change and ignite a proactive mindset that propels them toward success.

6. Status or Progress Presentation

A status or progress presentation provides an update on the current state of a project, initiative, or objective. This type of presentation is essential for keeping stakeholders informed about progress, identifying issues, and aligning team efforts with overall goals. 

For instance, a project manager might deliver a status presentation to the executive team, highlighting key milestones achieved, current challenges, and any adjustments needed to stay on track. The presentation typically includes an overview of completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, and a review of budget and resources.

To make a status presentation impactful, focus on clarity and transparency. Organize the content to cover major areas such as progress made, key metrics, and any deviations from the original plan. Further, highlight both successes and setbacks to build trust and ensure that stakeholders have a clear understanding of where things stand.

7. Pitch Presentation

Pitch presentation is a critical tool for making a compelling case, whether an entrepreneur seeking venture capital, a startup aiming to attract customers, or a non-profit organization looking for funding.

In a highly competitive environment, a well-crafted pitch can differentiate you from others by clearly articulating what makes your offering unique and how it addresses a specific need or problem. 

By highlighting key aspects such as market demand, competitive advantages, and potential returns, a pitch presentation can capture the interest of investors, customers, or supporters, making it easier to secure the necessary support or resources. 

Pitch presentations are a critical opportunity to make a solid first impression and establish credibility. They provide a platform to showcase your expertise, vision, and commitment, which can build trust and confidence among your audience. A compelling pitch persuades stakeholders to take action and lays the foundation for future relationships and opportunities. 

8. Instructive Presentations

Instructive presentations are designed to instruct, educate, and inform an audience about a particular topic or skill. They are often used in academic settings, corporate sessions, workshops, and seminars. 

They incorporate examples, case studies, and practical applications to present key points and make the content more relatable and engaging. One key element of an instructive presentation is clarity. Presenters must ensure that their explanations are straightforward and avoid jargon unless the audience is already familiar with the topic. 

For example, a digital marketing expert can deliver an instructional presentation for small business owners who are new to online marketing.

9. Decision-Making Presentation

A decision-making presentation is designed to assist an audience in evaluating various options and making informed choices based on the information presented. 

These presentations are commonly used in business meetings, strategic planning sessions, and project evaluations. The goal is to present data, analyses, and recommendations in a way that highlights the pros and cons of different alternatives, ultimately guiding the audience toward a well-considered decision. 

Effective decision-making presentations often include visual aids such as comparison charts, decision matrices, and risk assessments. By providing a structured approach and clear criteria for evaluation, these presentations help the audience weigh their options methodically.

A Detailed Guide to Help You Choose the Right Presentation Type

Choosing the right presentation type is crucial for effectively communicating your message. The kind of presentation you select can significantly impact your audience’s engagement, understanding, and retention of the information. 

Here are some key tips to consider when deciding on the most suitable presentation type for your needs.

(i). Communication Objectives

Before selecting a presentation type, it is essential to define your goals clearly. Do you wish to inform, persuade, or motivate your audience? Understanding your key goals will guide the structure and style of your presentation. 

For instance, informative presentations are ideal for delivering factual information or educating an audience about a particular topic. These presentations should be clear, concise, and well-organized. On the other hand, if you wish to motivate your viewers, inspirational presentations are the way to go.

(ii). Audience Diversity

Knowing your audience’s demographics, background, and preferences is essential for choosing the right presentation type. Consider factors such as age, gender, education level, and cultural background to tailor your presentation style. Additionally, assess the audience’s familiarity with the topic. 

For example, for a knowledgeable audience, you can delve into more complex details, while for a general audience, it is better to keep the information accessible and straightforward. Understanding your audience’s interests and preferences can also help you choose a presentation type that will keep them engaged.

(iii). Context and Setting

The context and setting of your presentation can significantly influence your choice of presentation type. Evaluate the environment where your presentation will take place. Is it in a large auditorium, a small conference room, or online? Each setting has different requirements for presentation types and delivery methods. 

Also, consider the formality of the event. Formal settings may require a more structured and professional approach, while informal settings allow for a relaxed and conversational style. The audience size is another critical factor; larger audiences may need more structured and visually engaging presentations, while smaller groups can allow for more interaction and discussion.

(iv). Content Complexity

The complexity of your content should guide the presentation type you choose. For straightforward information, use clear and concise slides, infographics, or bullet points to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information at once. 

Consider using detailed visuals, charts, diagrams, and multimedia elements for more intricate topics. Breaking the content into manageable sections and providing summaries can help reinforce key points and ensure the audience comprehends complex information.

For example, for detailed topics like financial performance, you can opt for informative presentations, while for simple subjects such as project progress, a status presentation would be more appropriate.

(v). Personal Style

Your personal presentation style plays a significant role in the effectiveness of your delivery. Choose a presentation type that aligns with your strengths and comfort level. If you are confident in storytelling, consider a narrative-driven presentation, whereas if you are more comfortable with data, focus on data-driven presentations. 

Utilize your preferred methods for engaging the audience, whether it’s through humor, interactive elements, or compelling visuals. Leveraging your strengths can enhance your presentation’s impact and make it more engaging for your audience.

Suppose your strength lies in convincing and negotiating with people. Here, you can leverage your skills to deliver a compelling persuasive presentation and convince the audience to take a desired action.

(vi). Time Constraints

The time available for your presentation will affect how much content you can cover and the depth of detail you can provide. For brief time slots, focus on key points and ensure clarity and conciseness, using impactful visuals and avoiding overloading the audience with information. 

With more extended presentations, you can delve deeper into the topic, include interactive elements, and engage in discussions with the audience. Plan for breaks and ensure a logical flow of information to keep the audience intrigued throughout.

Tips to Ace All Types of Presentations

1. use visuals.

Use professional PowerPoint templates to create presentations and give your slides a professional look. You can add visuals such as charts, graphs, images, and even videos to make your presentation look stunning. Ensure that your visual resonates with the topic and does not distract the audience from the main theme of the presentation.

2. Structure It Correctly

The structure of your presentation is crucial as it acts as an anchor for the audience. Start by introducing your topic, followed by details such as pros and cons, metrics, data, etc., and then summarize with a strong conclusion.

3. Incorporate Stories

Stories wire human beings into listening and have a great impact on engagement as well. By using stories in your presentation, you can communicate your message in a much better manner and make it more impactful.

4. Make It Interactive

Encourage interaction through questions, discussions, or activities. Engaging with your audience keeps them interested and makes your presentation more dynamic.

5. Deliver it Right

Consider various aspects of delivery to maximize the effectiveness of your presentation.

• Body Language and Gesture

Utilize gestures and movement to emphasize points and convey enthusiasm. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages your audience.

• Maintain Eye Contact

Make eye contact to convey confidence and build rapport with your audience.

• Pay Attention to Pace and Tone

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Modify your tone to emphasize essential points and maintain audience interest. Avoid speaking too fast or monotonously.

• Be Authentic

Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity helps build credibility with your audience, making your message more relatable and memorable.

6. Wrap Your Presentation on Time

Respect your audience’s time by staying focused on your key messages. Avoid unnecessary details and keep your presentation concise and to the point. 

7. Practice

Rehearse your presentation often to refine your delivery, timing, and transitions. Practicing helps build confidence and allows you to handle unexpected issues smoothly. Anticipate potential questions and prepare concise, thoughtful responses. Handling questions confidently demonstrates your expertise and readiness. You should also be prepared for technical difficulties and have a backup plan in place. Stay calm and composed, and use any issues to demonstrate problem-solving skills.

Understanding and effectively utilizing different presentations can significantly enhance your ability to communicate and achieve your objectives. By selecting the appropriate presentation style and applying best practices, you can ensure that your communication is impactful, persuasive, and aligned with your goals. 

More articles

7 strategies to boost audience engagement in your presentation, simple steps to create effective business presentations , 10 tips to start your presentation impressively, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Latest Articles

Simple tips to become a confident public speaker, why is public speaking scary and how to overcome this fear , why does a presentation need good visuals.

© 2024 Collidu.com. All Rights Reserved.

Information

• Visit Our Store
• Free PowerPoint Templates
• Google Slides Themes

Popular Categories

• Presentation Ideas 53
• Public Speaking 23
• Presentation Design 12
• Business 11
• PowerPoint Tips 4
• Google Slides Tips 1

Editor Picks

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

The Right Way to Present Your Business Case

• Carolyn O’Hara

Get key stakeholders on board with one effective presentation.

You’ve already put a great deal of work into preparing a solid business case for your project or idea. But when it comes to the critical presentation phase, how do you earn the support of decision makers in the room? How do you present your case so that it’s clear and straightforward while also persuasive?

• Carolyn O’Hara is a writer and editor based in New York City. She’s worked at The Week, PBS NewsHour, and Foreign Policy. carolynohara1

Partner Center

11 Critical Types of Business Presentations (+ Templates)

Learn about the different types of business presentations with examples that drive results. Discover how to choose the right type of presentation for your use case.

Dominika Krukowska

8 minute read

Short answer

What are the main types of business presentations?

There are 11 main types of business presentations:

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

You need the right collateral for every aspect of your business in order to succeed.

In today's business world, delivering a compelling presentation isn't just a nice skill - it's a vital one. But if you're not familiar with all the types of presentations your business might need, it's like trying to build a house without all the necessary tools.

Some parts of your business might not get the support they need to stand strong. This can lead to unclear messages, disengaged audiences, and missed opportunities.

That's where this post comes in. Consider it your blueprint for building a solid presentation foundation. You'll learn about all the different types of business presentations, when to use them, and how to make them work wonders for you. In just a few minutes, you'll be ready to turn every presentation into a sturdy pillar for your business success.

Let’s get started!

What are the main business presentation types?

Business presentations come in various forms, each serving a unique purpose and fitting into a specific stage of the sales funnel.

There is a basic set of presentations that no business can flourish without. You should become familiar with these critical presentation types.

11 essential types of business presentations:

1. Pitch deck presentations

Pitch deck presentations are designed to showcase a product, startup, or idea to potential investors. They are typically used during fundraising rounds and are crucial for securing the necessary capital for your business.

Here’s an example of a pitch deck presentation:

Cannasoft - Investment pitch deck

A hard-hitting investment deck of a publicly traded tech company dedicated to medical cannabis manufacturers.

If you want to learn more about pitch decks and how to create one, check out our guides:

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

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

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

2. Sales deck presentations

Sales deck presentations are aimed at convincing prospects to buy your product or service. They highlight the unique selling points and benefits of your offering, and explain why you’re the perfect solution provider for your prospects’ specific pain points.

Here’s an example of a sales deck presentation:

Orbiit - Visually narrated sales deck

Visually narrated sales deck of a virtual networking platform telling AND showing readers what's in it for them.

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

3. Product marketing presentations

Product marketing presentations are used in the awareness stage to introduce a new product or feature to the market. They focus on the benefits of the product and how it meets the needs of the target audience.

Here’s an example of a product marketing presentation:

Mayku - Physical product deck

A welcoming physical product deck for immersive introduction to a revolutionary vacuum-forming solution.

4. White papers

A white paper is an in-depth analysis of a problem and its solution. It's a way to establish your expertise and thought leadership in a particular area. White papers are often used in the consideration stage of the funnel to educate potential customers about a complex issue related to your industry or product.

Here’s an example of a white paper:

Drive - Automotive research white-paper

A white-paper showing high-level research on electric vehicle charging wrapped in a stunning interactive experience.

5. Case studies

Case studies showcase a customer success story or outcome. They provide real-world examples of how your product or service has helped a customer, making them a powerful tool for building trust and credibility.

Here’s an example of a case study:

Boom25 - Interactive case study deck

Fun, engaging, and interactive case study of a UK cashback service: mixing business with entertainment.

If you want to learn more, check out our guides:

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

6. Report presentations

Report presentations are used to share data-driven insights and findings in the consideration stage. They make complex data accessible and engaging, helping your audience understand and remember the information.

Here’s an example of a report presentation:

Meta - Interactive corporate report

Insights and trends from Israel's thriving consumer-facing industry. A comprehensive review of the B2C ecosystem's performance and future prospects.

7. One-pagers

A one-pager is a brief, informative overview of your solution sent to potential customers in the awareness stage. It's a quick way to communicate the key features and benefits of your product or service, meant to pique the prospects’ curiosity enough to move them down the sales funnel.

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

Octopai - Outbound sales one-pager

An outbound one-pager identifying a problem in modern-day analytics and offering an easy-to-grasp solution.

To find out more about one-pagers, read these 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

Education and academic presentations are used for teaching or presenting research findings. They are designed to simplify complex concepts and foster deep understanding.

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.

If you need more guidance, we have a blog post on how to write a research proposal , including tips and templates.

9. Business proposal presentations

Business proposal presentations are used to close deals at the end of a sales cycle. They summarize your offering and why it's the best choice for the prospect.

Here’s an example of a business proposal presentation:

RFKeeper - Retail proposal deck

A dynamic, highly visual proposal deck for a retail software provider, designed to grab and keep attention.

For tips on how to create your own, check out our posts:

How to Write a Business Proposal (Examples & Templates)

Make a Winning Business Proposal Presentation in 12 Steps

10. Sports sponsorship proposals

Sports sponsorship proposals are used to secure funding and support for a sports team. They highlight the benefits that the sponsor will receive in return for their investment.

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

Business plan presentations detail a company's strategy and objectives. They are often used to secure funding from investors or to align team members around a common vision and plan.

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.

If you want to see real-life examples of each presentation type, check out our master post containing 52 perfect presentation examples to set you apart .

What are the main types of presentation use cases?

Presentations are a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios, both within and outside an organization. Here are some of the key use cases for presentations:

External use cases

Sales: Persuading potential customers to purchase your product or service through compelling storytelling and showcasing benefits.

Funding : Convincing investors to provide capital for your business by demonstrating potential for growth and profitability.

Thought leadership: Establishing your expertise and authority in a specific field by sharing unique insights and perspectives.

Investor relations: Communicating important company information to investors to maintain trust and transparency.

Donor communication: Engaging and updating donors on the impact of their contributions to maintain their support and involvement.

Conference or event presentations: Sharing insights or research findings at a public event to engage the audience and build your reputation.

Partnership presentations: Proposing a collaboration or partnership to another business by highlighting mutual benefits.

Product launch presentations: Introducing a new product to the market with a compelling narrative that highlights its unique features.

Client presentations: Updating clients on progress or delivering project results to maintain their satisfaction and trust.

Training and education presentations: Teaching a new skill or concept to an external audience to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Public relations presentations: Managing the public image of your company by addressing public concerns and highlighting positive actions.

Government or regulatory presentations: Communicating with government agencies or regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and maintain good relations.

Social responsibility presentations: Showcasing your company's efforts to give back to the community to enhance your company's reputation and public image.

Internal use cases

Team meetings: Discussing project updates or new initiatives with your team to ensure everyone is aligned and informed.

Training and onboarding: Introducing new employees to company policies and procedures through employee onboarding software to ensure they are well-equipped to perform their roles.

Strategic planning: Outlining your company's strategic goals and plans to ensure all employees are working toward the same objectives.

Performance reviews: Providing feedback on an employee's performance to help them improve and grow in their role.

Internal reporting: Sharing company performance data with internal stakeholders to keep them informed and make data-driven decisions.

Town hall meetings: Addressing the entire company on key updates or changes to ensure transparency and maintain employee trust.

Change management: Guiding employees through a period of significant change to ensure smooth transition and maintain morale.

Employee engagement and recognition: Celebrating employee achievements and fostering a positive company culture to boost morale and productivity.

Training workshops and seminars: Providing in-depth training on specific topics to employees to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Internal marketing and branding: Promoting company values and culture to employees to foster a sense of belonging and commitment.

How do I choose the right type of presentation for my business?

Choosing the right type of presentation for your business is like picking the right tool for a job. It's all about understanding your needs and resources.

Here's a simple guide to help you make the right choice:

1) Presentation objectives

Start by defining what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to educate, persuade, or inspire? Your objective will shape the type of presentation you need. For instance, if you're looking to secure funding, a compelling pitch deck is your ticket.

2) Target audience

Your audience is your compass. Their needs and expectations will guide your presentation's content and style. For example, a sales deck might resonate with potential customers, while a thought leadership white paper could be more suitable for industry peers.

3) The message

What key message do you want to convey? Ensure your presentation type allows for this message to be communicated effectively. For example, if you're eager to share your company's green thumb, a social responsibility white paper can beautifully showcase your eco-friendly initiatives and their positive effects.

4) Resources

Finally, always take stock of your resources. Time constraints and available data can influence your choice. A one-pager could be more practical than an extensive sales deck when you’re short on time or manpower.

What are the best types of tools to create and improve my presentation?

Creating a compelling presentation is not just about the content, but also about the delivery.

Here are some tools that can help you elevate your presentation game:

Storydoc: This tool allows you to transform static slides into highly-engaging and converting interactive web presentations. It's perfect for creating memorable narratives that captivate your audience from start to finish and gets them to take action.

Think-Cell: If your presentation involves data, Think-Cell is a must-have. It simplifies the creation of complex charts and enhances data visualization, making your insights more digestible and impactful.

VideoScribe: Want to add a touch of animation to your presentation? VideoScribe allows you to create high-quality whiteboard-style animation videos, adding a dynamic element to your content.

Mentimeter: This gamified presentation software allows you to engage your audience with live polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions, making your presentation a two-way conversation.

Pitcherific: Pitcherific helps you create and practice your pitch speech, making it a great tool for preparing investor presentations.

Create your presentation from a template

Your digital presentation is your passport to powerful communication. Why settle for static, lifeless slides when you can turn your presentation into a dynamic, interactive adventure?

Think of your key messages as stepping stones on an exciting journey, one that keeps your audience engaged from the opening slide to the grand finale. Interactive presentation templates are the perfect vehicle for this journey.

Each template is a canvas waiting for your unique touch.

Grab a template and use it to create your best presentation yet.

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.

Found this post useful?

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Get notified as more awesome content goes live.

(No spam, no ads, opt-out whenever)

You've just joined an elite group of people that make the top performing 1% of sales and marketing collateral.

Create your best presentation to date

Try Storydoc interactive presentation maker for 14 days free (keep any presentation you make forever!)

10-Step Guide To Crafting A Successful Case Study Presentation

• By Judhajit Sen
• May 2, 2024

Key Takeaways

• An effective case study is a blueprint for convincing an audience and explaining a solution’s rationale and potential impact.   
• The ideal time for a business case study is when you have to make your presentation to persuade clients, solve internal problems, back up arguments with real examples, or discuss an idea’s viability for a firm.   
• Case study template presentations aren’t just about presenting solutions; they’re powerful storytelling tools that engage audiences with real-world examples and provoke critical thinking.
• Key elements of an effective case study presentation template include an executive summary, problem statement, solution, execution details, key results, inclusion of quotes and testimonials, acknowledgment of contributors, call to action, conclusion, and Q&A session.

A case study is like your argument’s blueprint, explaining the why, how, where, and who to persuade your audience. It’s your solution to a clear question, like expanding in a market or launching a product. Case studies help convince clients, analyze internal issues, and provide real-life use cases.

So, when should you make your case study like a pro? When you need to:

– Persuade clients about your services.

– Solve internal problems for a company.

– Back up arguments with real examples.

– Discuss an idea’s viability for a firm.

It’s not just about finding a solution—it’s about influencing your audience with your findings. Case study formats organize a lot of information in a clear, engaging way for clients and stakeholders, often using templates.

In simpler terms, a professional case study is an in-depth look at a specific topic, often tackling real-world problems. It showcases your expertise and how your solutions can solve actual issues.

In social sciences, it’s both a method and a research design to examine problems and generalize findings. Essentially, it’s investigative research aimed at presenting solutions to analyzed issues.

In business, case study examples delve into market conditions, main problems, methods used, and outcomes gained. It’s a powerful tool for understanding and addressing complex business challenges.

Case Study Presentation

Good case study PowerPoint templates explore a specific subject, whether it’s an individual, group, event, or organization. It’s like solving a puzzle with your audience, pushing you to think creatively.

Unlike a standard report, the goal here is to stimulate critical thinking. You’re not just throwing numbers around; you’re using real-life examples to provoke thought and offer different perspectives.

In marketing, case studies showcase your solutions’ effectiveness and success in solving client problems. These research presentations use written content, visuals, and other tools to tell compelling stories. They’re perfect for sales pitches, trade shows, conferences, and more—whether in-person or virtual.

But the best case study presentation slides aren’t just reports; they’re powerful and persuasive storytelling tools. Whether you’re a marketer or salesperson, knowing how to present a case study can be a game-changer for your business. It’s all about engaging your audience and sharing insights in a clear and compelling way.

Looking to make a compelling presentation? Check out our blog on persuasive presentations.

Importance of a Case Study Presentation

To write a compelling case study presentation is more than just sharing information—it’s about convincing your audience that your product or service is the solution they need. Case study presentations help in – 

Generating leads and driving sales: Case studies showcase your product’s success, turning potential customers into paying clients.

Building credibility and social proof: They establish your authority and value through real-life examples, earning trust from clients and prospects.

Educating and informing your target audience: Case studies teach potential clients about your product’s benefits, positioning you as an industry leader.

Increasing brand awareness: Case studies promote your brand, boost your visibility, and attract new customers.

Stats back up the power of case studies: 

– 13% of marketers rely on them in their content strategy.

– They help boost conversions by 23% and nurture leads by 9%.

– 80% of tech content marketers include case studies in their strategy.

But case studies aren’t just marketing fluff; they’re about solving problems and showcasing accurate results. They’re valuable in various scenarios, from business cases to analyzing internal issues.

To create a compelling case study presentation effectively is your chance to offer a comprehensive, evidence-based argument that informs and persuades your audience. It’s like solving a puzzle, exploring every piece until you reach a clear conclusion. It’s about connecting data with real-world scenarios in a compelling narrative.

Whether in sales pitches, job interviews, or content marketing, case study presentation examples are your secret weapon for success. They provide tangible proof of your product’s value, helping you stand out in a cluttered marketplace.

Following are ten essential steps to crafting a successful case study presentation.

Begin With The Executive Summary

Leaders often seek a quick snapshot of important information, and that’s where the executive summary plays a vital role. Begin with a short introduction, laying out the purpose and goals of the case study in a straightforward manner. Capture your audience’s attention and provide a clear path for what follows.

Follow the introduction with a brief of the entire case study, allowing the audience to grasp the main points swiftly. Delve into the subject’s relevance and significance, explaining why the case study is essential and who benefits from its insights. This establishes the tone for the rest of the study, encouraging the audience to explore further.

Check out our expert tips and techniques to master creating an executive summary for presentations.

Define the Problem Statement

Focus on the problem or challenge central to the case study. Provide background for the audience to grasp the issue, backing it up with data, graph or metrics to highlight its seriousness.

Need help visualizing your data? Check out our guide on mastering data visualizations.

Outline the goals and purpose of the case study and the questions it seeks to answer. This entails outlining the main issues from the customer’s viewpoint, making it understandable to the audience.

Start with a brief recap of the problem, clarifying the purpose of the study and the expected audience learnings. Explain the situation, shedding light on the hurdles faced. Present the key issues and findings without delving into specific details.

Highlight the importance of the problem using data and evidence to emphasize its real-world impact. Encapsulate the analysis’s purpose, aligning the issues identified with the study’s objectives.

Propose The Solution

At the heart of a presentation lies its solution. Reveal the steps taken to address the identified problem, including the methodology, experiments, or tests carried out and the considerations of various options. Clarify why the final solution was chosen over others.

Illustrates the shift from the problem-filled “before” to the successful “after.” 

Detail the proposed solution, recommendations, or action plan based on analyses. This includes explaining its reasoning and outlining implementation steps, timelines, and potential challenges.

Describe the analytical methods and approach used, demonstrating the thoroughness of the analysis, including research processes, data collection tools, and frameworks employed.

Present the essential findings and insights, utilizing data, charts, and visuals to enhance comprehension and engagement. Thoroughly discuss the analyses and the implications of the findings.

Show How the Solution was Executed

The execution slide of a case study presentation describes careful planning, consideration of risks, and measurement of metrics crucial for implementing the solution. 

Delve into the steps taken to attain desired client results, including identifying project key performance indicators (KPIs), addressing issues, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.

Detail the journey towards helping the client achieve results. Outline the planning, processes, risks, metrics, and KPIs essential for maximizing outcomes. This includes discussing any challenges encountered during execution and the strategies to overcome them, ensuring a seamless implementation process. 

Highlight the practical steps taken to turn the proposed solution into tangible results for the client.

Present the Key Results

Cover the outcomes achieved through the implementation of the solution. Leverage data and metrics to evaluate whether the solution successfully met its objectives and the extent of its impact on stakeholders. Acknowledge any setbacks or areas for improvement.

Outline the solution’s positive impact on the client’s project or business, highlighting aspects such as financial results, growth, and productivity enhancements. Reinforce these assertions with supporting evidence, including images, videos, and statistical data.

Emphasize the remarkable outcomes resulting from the solution, substantiating tangible success with relevant data and metrics. Illustrate the effectiveness of your recommendations through before-and-after comparisons and success metrics, highlighting their real-world impact.

This solidifies the rationale behind your proposal, showcasing its substantial impact on the business or project, particularly in terms of financial benefits for clients.

Include Quotes and Testimonials

Incorporate quotes and testimonials directly from customers who have experienced the transformation firsthand, adding authenticity and credibility to your case study. These voices of customers (VoC) provide firsthand accounts of the benefits and effectiveness of your solution, offering extra social proof to support your claims.

To gather compelling testimonials, plan and schedule interviews with your subjects. Design case study interview questions that allow you to obtain quantifiable results to capture valuable insights into the customer experience and the impact of your solution.

Include testimonials from satisfied customers to bolster the credibility of your case study and provide potential clients with real-life examples of success. These quotes serve as powerful endorsements of your offerings, helping to build trust and confidence among your target audience.

Acknowledge your Contributors with References and Citations

Express gratitude to those who played a vital role in shaping your case study’s outcomes. Extend heartfelt thanks to individuals whose insights and collaboration were essential in problem-solving.

Acknowledges the valuable contributions of external resources, reports, and data sets. Citing these sources maintains transparency and credibility, ensuring due credit is given and providing a solid foundation for further investigation.

Incorporate a comprehensive list of references, citations, and supplementary materials in the appendices supporting the case study’s findings and conclusions. These additional resources demonstrate the thoroughness of the research and offer interested parties the opportunity to delve deeper into the topic.

Thank those who contributed, and encourage the audience to explore the provided references to better understand the insights presented in the case study.

Give a Call to Action (CTA)

As the well-crafted case study presentation slides near their end, it’s crucial to outline actionable steps for stakeholders going forward. Recommend the following strategies to the audience to build upon the success achieved.

Ask stakeholders to integrate the proven solutions highlighted in the case study into existing processes or projects. These strategies have shown effectiveness and can be valuable tools in driving further success.

Encourage audience members to participate in a detailed consultation or product demonstration. Leveraging expertise and solutions can expedite goal achievement and overcome any remaining challenges.

Recommend further research and analysis to explore additional opportunities for improvement or innovation. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in today’s dynamic business environment, with support available every step of the way.

Proactive steps based on insights from the case study will position organizations for continued growth and success. Urge the stakeholders to take action and seize the opportunities ahead.

Check out our blog on framing an effective call to action to learn more about crafting presentation CTAs. 

Conclude your Case Study Presentation

Conclude the presentation by recapping the main points and highlighting their importance. Show that the solution presented effectively tackled the identified problem, delivering concrete results and benefits for the clients.

Summarize the key takeaways, underscoring how the findings can be applied in similar situations and showcasing the solution’s relevance across various contexts. This demonstrates not only its effectiveness but also its potential to yield positive outcomes in diverse scenarios.

Reiterate the power of strategic problem-solving and innovative solutions in driving success, and end by thanking the audience for their attention and participation.

To know more about concluding a presentation, check out our blog on helpful tips to end a presentation successfully.

Open the Floor for Q&A, Feedback and Discussion

After your presentation ends, conduct a Q&A session. Encourage the audience to share their thoughts, ask questions for clarification, and engage in a constructive dialogue about the case study presented.

Feedback is valuable, so ask everyone to share their perspectives and insights. Also, encourage questions or comments, as they can provide further depth to the understanding of the subject matter.

This is an opportunity for mutual learning and exploring different viewpoints. Urge everyone to speak up and contribute to the conversation. The aim is to listen and exchange ideas to enrich the understanding of the topic.

Unlocking Success: Mastering the Art of Case Study Presentations

Case study presentations are not just reports; they’re dynamic storytelling tools that help sway clients, dissect internal issues, and provide real-world illustrations. 

These presentations aren’t just about offering solutions; they’re about influencing audiences with findings. Organizing vast amounts of data in an engaging way, often using templates and case studies, provides a clear path for clients and stakeholders.

Case study presentations delve deep into subjects, pushing presenters to think creatively. Unlike standard reports, they aim to provoke thought and offer varied perspectives. They’re powerful tools for showcasing success in solving client problems and using written content, visuals, and other elements to tell compelling stories.

Mastering case study presentations can be a game-changer, whether you’re a marketer, salesperson, or educator. It’s about engaging your audience and clearly and persuasively sharing insights into success stories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When should I consider doing a case study?

Case studies are beneficial when you need to persuade clients about your services, solve internal problems for a company, back up arguments with real examples, or discuss the viability of an idea for a firm.

2. What is the primary purpose of a case study presentation?

The primary goal of a case study presentation is to offer a comprehensive and evidence-based argument that informs and persuades the audience. It’s about presenting solutions to analyzed issues in a compelling narrative format.

3. What makes a case study presentation different from a standard report?

Unlike a standard report, a case study presentation aims to stimulate critical thinking by using real-life examples to provoke thought and offer different perspectives. It’s not just about presenting data; it’s about engaging the audience with compelling stories.

4. Where can case study presentations be effectively used?

Case study presentations are perfect for sales pitches, trade shows, conferences, and more—whether in-person or virtual. They are valuable storytelling tools that showcase the effectiveness of solutions and success in solving client problems.

Transform Your Business with Prezentium’s Case Study Presentations

Are you looking to captivate your prospective clients with compelling case study presentations? Look no further than Prezentium ! Prezentium, an AI-powered business presentation service provider, offers various services tailored to your needs.

Overnight Presentations : Need a professional presentation in a pinch? Our overnight presentation service has you covered. Email your requirements to Prezentium by 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST), and we’ll deliver a top-notch presentation to your inbox by 9:30 am PST the following business day.

Prezentation Specialist : Our team is here to help you transform ideas and meeting notes into exquisite presentations. Whether you need assistance with case study design, templates, or content creation, we’ve got you covered.

Zenith Learning : Elevate your communication skills with our interactive workshops and training programs. Combining structured problem-solving with visual storytelling, Zenith Learning equips you with the tools you need to succeed.

Unlock the power of case study presentations with Prezentium. Contact us today to learn more and take your business to new heights!

Why wait? Avail a complimentary 1-on-1 session with our presentation expert. See how other enterprise leaders are creating impactful presentations with us.

Shark Tank Presentation Tips: Winning Shark Tank Pitch Elements

Visual communication: benefits, importance, and examples, 7 public speaking tips for enhancing your public speaking abilities.

Mastering the Art of Case Presentations: A guide for allied health students

Understanding the Purpose of Case Presentations

As allied health students progress through training and begin clinical experience, case presentations become important to communicate with clinical supervisors effectively . Mastering the art of case presentations allows students to succinctly convey patient information, including relevant history, symptoms, and examination results. Additionally, case presentations allow students to demonstrate their clinical reasoning skills, including their ability to formulate differential diagnoses and develop evidence-based treatment plans. 

The Patient Information Pyramid

At its core, a case presentation is a patient history summary, with all of the clinically irrelevant information omitted. Similarly, a clinical impression is a distilled case presentation. This is represented graphically below:

Download the Sample Single-Slide Case Study Presentation Template for PowerPoint Download the Blank Single-Slide Case Study Presentation Template for PowerPoint

When to Use This Template:  Use this single-slide case study presentation template when you need to give a quick but effective overview of a case study. This template is perfect for presenting a case study when time is limited and you need to convey key points swiftly.

Notable Template Features: You can fit everything you need on one slide. Download the version with sample text to see how easy it is to complete the template. Unlike more detailed templates, it focuses on the main points, such as the problem, solution, approach, and results, all in a compact format. It's great for keeping your audience focused on the key aspects of your case study without overwhelming them with information.

PowerPoint Marketing Case Study Template

Download the Sample Marketing Case Study Template for PowerPoint

Download the Blank Marketing Case Study Template for PowerPoint

When to Use This Template: Choose this marketing case study template when you need to dive deep into your marketing strategies and results. It's perfect for marketing managers and content marketers who want to showcase the detailed process and successes of their campaigns. 

Notable Template Features: This template focuses on the detailed aspects of marketing strategies and outcomes. It includes specific sections to outline business needs, results, and strategic approaches.

PowerPoint Problem-Solution-Impact Case Study Template

Download the Sample Problem-Solution-Impact Case Study Template for PowerPoint

Download the Blank Problem-Solution-Impact Case Study Template for PowerPoint

When to Use This Template:  This problem-solution-impact case study template is useful for focusing on how a challenge was solved and the results. Project managers and strategy teams that want to clearly portray the effectiveness of their solutions can take advantage of this template. 

Notable Template Features: This template stands out with its clear structure that breaks down the case into problem, solution, and impact. Use the template — available with or without sample data — to help you tell a complete story, from the issue faced to the solution and its results, making it perfect for presentations that need to show a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

PowerPoint Comparative Study Template

Download the Sample Comparative Study Template for PowerPoint  

Download the Blank Comparative Study Template for PowerPoint  

When to Use This Template:  Choose this comparative study template — available with or without sample data — to illuminate how different products, strategies, or periods stack up against each other. It's great for product managers and research teams who want to do side-by-side comparisons. 

Notable Template Features: This template lets you put things next to each other to see their differences and similarities, with a focus on direct comparisons. Use the columns and split slides to make the content easy to understand and visually appealing, perfect for highlighting changes or different approaches.

PowerPoint Customer Journey Case Study Template

Download the Sample Customer Journey Case Study Template for PowerPoint

Download the Blank Customer Journey Case Study Template for PowerPoint

When to Use This Template: This template is useful for customer experience managers and UX designers who need to understand and improve how customers interact with what they offer. Use the customer journey case study template with sample data to see how to show every step of a customer's experience with your product or service. 

Notable Template Features:  This template focuses on the whole path a customer takes with a product or service. It follows them, from first learning about the offering to after they buy it.

PowerPoint Case Study Storyboard Template

Download the Sample Case Study Storyboard Template for PowerPoint   Download the Blank Case Study Storyboard Template for PowerPoint  

When to Use This Template:  Creative teams and ad agencies should use this case study storyboard template — with or without sample data — to tell a story using more images than text.

Notable Template Features: This template transforms a case study into a visual story. Effectively communicate the journey of a business case, from the challenges faced to the solutions implemented and the results achieved.

Key Components of Successful Case Study Presentations

The key components of successful case study presentations include clear goals, engaging introductions, detailed customer profiles, and well-explained solutions and results. Together they help you present how your strategies succeed in real-world scenarios. 

The following components are fundamental to crafting a compelling and effective marketing case study presentation:   

• Clear Objective:  Define the goal of your case study, ensuring it addresses specific questions or goals. 
• Engaging Introduction:  Start with an overview of the company, product, or service, as well as the context to provide necessary background information. 
• Customer Profile:  Detail your target customer demographics and their needs to help the audience understand who the marketing efforts are aimed at and their relevance. 
• The Challenge:  Clearly articulate the primary problem or issue to overcome to establish the context for the solution and strategy, highlighting the need for action. 
• Solution and Strategy:  Describe the specific strategies and creative approaches used to address the challenge. These details should demonstrate your approach to problem-solving and the thought process behind your decisions. 
• Implementation:  Explain how the solution was put into action to show the practical application. This description should bring your strategy to life, allowing the audience to see how you executed plans. 
• Results and Impact:  Present measurable outcomes and impacts of the strategy to validate and show its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. 
• Visual Elements:  Use charts, images, and infographics to make complex information more accessible and engaging, aiding audience understanding. 
• Testimonials and Quotes:  Include customer feedback or expert opinions to add credibility and a real-world perspective, reinforcing your strategy’s success. 
• Lessons Learned and Conclusions:  Summarize key takeaways and insights gained to show what the audience can learn from the case study. 
• Call to Action (CTA):  End with an action you want the audience to take to encourage engagement and further interaction.

Different Types of Case Study Presentations

The types of case study presentations include those that compare products, showcase customer journeys, or tell a story visually, among others. Each is tailored to different storytelling methods and presentation goals.

The following list outlines various types of case study presentations:   

• Problem-Solution-Impact Case Study:  This type focuses on a clear narrative structure, outlining the problem, solution implemented, and final impact. It's straightforward and effective for linear stories. 
• Comparative Case Study:  Ideal for showcasing before-and-after scenarios or comparisons between different strategies or time periods. This option often uses parallel columns or split slides for comparison. 
• Customer Journey Case Study:  Centered on the customer's experience, this option maps out their journey from recognizing a need to using the product or service, and the benefits they gained. It's a narrative-driven and customer-focused case study format. 
• Data-Driven Case Study:  Emphasizing quantitative results and data, this format is full of charts, graphs, and statistics. This option is perfect for cases where numerical evidence is the main selling point. 
• Storyboard Case Study:  Use this type to lay out the case study in a storytelling format. This option often relies on more visuals and less text. Think of it as a visual story, engaging and easy to follow. 
• Interactive Case Study:  Designed with clickable elements for an interactive presentation, this type allows the presenter to dive into different sections based on audience interest, making it flexible and engaging.
• Testimonial-Focused Case Study:  This format is best for highlighting customer testimonials and reviews. It leverages the power of word of mouth and is highly effective in building trust.

Expert Tips for Case Study Presentations

Expert tips for case study presentations include knowing your audience, telling a clear story, and focusing on the problem and solution. They can also benefit from using visuals and highlighting results.

“Case studies are one of the most powerful tools in an organization’s marketing arsenal,” says Gayle Kalvert, Founder and CEO of  Creo Collective, Inc. , a full-service marketing agency. “Done correctly, case studies provide prospective buyers with proof that your product or service solves their business problem and shortens the sales cycle.”   

“Presentations are probably the most powerful marketing asset, whether for a webinar, a first meeting deck, an investor pitch, or an internal alignment/planning tool,” says marketing expert  Cari Jaquet . “Remember, the goal of a case study presentation is not just to inform, but also to persuade and engage your audience.” 

Use these tips to make your presentation engaging and effective so that it resonates with your audience:   

• Know Your Audience:  Tailor the presentation to the interests and knowledge level of your audience. Understanding what resonates with them helps make your case study more relevant and engaging. “Presentations can also be a forcing function to define your audience, tighten up your mission and message, and create a crisp call to action,” explains Jaquet.
• Tell a Story:  Structure your case study like a story, with a clear beginning (the problem), middle (the solution), and end (the results). A narrative approach keeps the audience engaged. 
• Focus on the Problem and Solution:  Clearly articulate the problem you addressed and how your solution was unique or effective. This section is the core of a case study and should be given ample attention. 
• Use Data Wisely:  Incorporate relevant data to support your points, but avoid overwhelming the audience with numbers. Use charts and graphs for visual representation of data to make it more digestible. 
• Highlight Key Results:  Emphasize the impact of your solution with clear and quantifiable results. This could include increased revenue, cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, and similar benefits.
• Incorporate Visuals:  Use high-quality visuals to break up text and explain complex concepts. Consider using photos, infographics, diagrams, or short videos.  “I put together the graphics that tell the story visually. Speakers often just need a big image or charts and graphs to help guide their talk track. Of course, if the audience expects details (for example, a board deck), the graphic helps reinforce the narrative,” shares Jaquet.
• Include Testimonials:  Adding quotes or testimonials from clients or stakeholders adds credibility and a real-world perspective to your presentation. 
• Practice Storytelling:  A well-delivered presentation is as important as its content. Practice your delivery to ensure you are clear, concise, and engaging. At this point, it also makes sense to solicit feedback from stakeholders. Jaquet concurs: “Once my outline and graphics are in place, I typically circulate the presentation draft for review. The feedback step usually surfaces nuances in the story or key points that need to show up on the slides. There is no point in building out tons of slides without alignment from the speaker or subject matter experts.”
• End with a Strong Conclusion:  Summarize the key takeaways and leave your audience with a final thought or call to action. 
• Seek Feedback:  After your presentation, request feedback to understand what worked well and what could be improved for future presentations. 

“Don't underestimate the power of a great presentation. And don't wait until the last minute or try to invent the wheel on your own,” advises Jaquet. “Many times, getting the next meeting, winning the deal, or getting the project kicked off well, requires your audience to understand and believe your story.”

Streamline and Collect All the Elements Needed for a Case Study with Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

• Design for Business
• Most Recent
• Presentations
• Infographics
• Data Visualizations
• Forms and Surveys
• Video & Animation
• Case Studies
• Digital Marketing
• Design Inspiration
• Visual Thinking
• Product Updates
• Visme Webinars
• Artificial Intelligence

7 Types of Presentations You Should Be Using Right Now [Including Templates]

Written by: Olujinmi Oluwatoni

Presentations are no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have skill for professionals.

Whether you're pitching to clients, providing updates to your team, or submitting management proposals, presentations are a necessity.

In fact, 70% of employed Americans admit that presentation skills are critical for career success.

However, specific presentation scenarios require a different approach to effectively communicate unique ideas. To create an excellent presentation, you need to choose the presentation type suitable for the specific context, audience and purpose of the presentation.

In this article, we will discuss the 7 types of presentations you should be using now to drive your point home effectively, depending on your goal, audience and context. We've also included 12 amazing presentation templates you can customize in minutes.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit presentation templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below.

Table of Contents

Benefits of using different types of presentations, what are the different types of presentations, 12 presentation templates you can use right now.

• Using different types of presentations helps you to adapt to different settings, improves audience interest and response, enhances the quality of presentations and increases the likelihood of recognition and promotion.
• The different types of presentations include; Educational, Instructional, Motivational, Persuasive and Problem-solution presentations. You can also create presentations to show progress or sell a product or service.
• With the help of Visme's presentation software and customizable template collection, you can easily create different types of professional presentations.

Understanding the different types of presentations and using them in the right situations will set you up for success.

Here are some benefits of using different types of presentations.

You Can Adapt to Different Settings

The type of presentation you use in an educational or academic setting is not the same one you'd use if you were trying to sell a product or pitch to an investor. Being able to effectively create a presentation for a specific setting can be beneficial in different professional settings.

Improves Your Audience's Interest and Response

Understanding who your audience is can guide you in picking the appropriate presentation type. Once you get this right, you'll be able to grab the attention of your audience from the onset and get a better response at the end of your presentation.

Improves the Quality of Your Presentations

Knowing what type of presentation to use for a specific audience and setting really improves your presentation and communication. With this, you're able to constantly deliver excellent presentations, get recognized and even get promoted!

If you want to know more about how to deliver excellent presentations, check out this guide that talks about it in detail!

Projecting the outcome of your presentation can help you choose what type to prepare.

For example, at the end of your presentation, do you want your audience to be more inspired? More informed? Or equipped with knowledge on what to do next?

Having clear objectives will guide you in deciding what type of presentation to use.

Let’s dive straight into the seven different types of presentations.

Educational

As the name implies, the purpose of an educational presentation is to ‘educate or inform’ people about a topic.

Usually, this type of presentation is used in settings where your audience is unaware or relatively new to the topic being discussed. Thus, your goal is to enlighten your audience and increase their understanding of the topic. Questions such as “What is”, “How to” and “Why is” are answered in detail.

The educational presentation type combines a lot of definitions, data analysis, or more analytical projections to break down complex topics to a specific audience. So a lot of tables, charts and graphs are used where necessary.

Take a look at this example below:

To effectively educate your audience, this educational presentation template has a good mixture of these elements:

• Definitions
• Differences
• Quotes from industry professionals
• Statistics and reliable data
• Charts, tables and more!

While preparing your educational presentation, remember that there may be a lot of questions or discussions at the end. Since you’re introducing a relatively new topic, your audience may need further clarification at some point, so ensure you create room to accommodate them.

Nevertheless, educational presentations are usually delivered over a long period of time and can be found mostly during training, workshops, academic environments and more.

Use this type of presentation if you’re reporting research findings, educating employees on new policies or processes, or teaching customers how to use or maximize your product.

Create a stunning presentation in less time

• Hundreds of premade slides available
• Add animation and interactivity to your slides
• Choose from various presentation options

Sign up. It’s free.

Instructional

The instructional type of presentation is very similar to the educational presentation. Both presentation types address “how to” questions. However, the purpose of the instructional presentation is to communicate precise directions.

Unlike an educational presentation that gives the audience free will to apply the new information learned, instructional presentations focus on passing step-by-step instructions that the audience is required to follow.

For example, in the instructional presentation template below, more emphasis is placed on how marketers or salespeople should write a perfect call-to-action (CTA).

What makes this presentation template stand out is the use of multiple examples to drive the points across. That way, you’re not just teaching your audience how to do something. You’re also showing them with examples and visual aids.

This type of presentation can come in handy when teaching a new skill or giving direction to your team on how to go about completing a task. At the end of the instructional presentation, your audience should feel confident and equipped with enough knowledge to perform the task.

Keep in mind that visual aids, relevant examples and scenarios can help boost the understanding of your audience. Be sure to incorporate this into your instructional presentation.

Use the instructional presentation type when you’re teaching a step-by-step process or answering a “how to” question with specific guidelines or commands.

Motivational

The motivational presentation type is a popular type of presentation usually seen during Ted talks, conferences, or even networking events.

The goal is to inspire your audience to see things clearer and take action based on a renewed mindset.

Motivational presentations usually incorporate storytelling and humor to pique the interest of their audience and gain their trust till the end. This type of presentation thrives in a more relaxed setting and doesn't necessarily need to run for a long time.

At the end of your motivational presentation, your audience should be inspired or convinced to make a change to how they usually approach a situation.

Your goal is not to force them to take action in a certain way but to guide them through a series of concepts that will propel them to make a personal decision to change.

An important thing to note when preparing this presentation is the need to foster an emotional connection with your audience from the onset.

So don't be scared to use personal anecdotes or draw from personal experiences.

Take a look at this Tedtalk by Shankar Vedantam which has garnered over 2 million views since it was published last year. Shankar began his presentation with a personal story that immediately drew the interest of his audience.

One thing we can learn from Shankar’s approach is the principle of less text, more visuals.

He delivered his presentation in an engaging manner that appealed to the emotions of his audience. The excellence of Shankar's presentation got him a standing ovation at the end of the speech. Take a cue from Shankar's presentation and make your motivational presentations more visually and emotionally appealing.

You can tweak any of our presentation templates for different purposes. Here’s an example of a great multipurpose template:

If you’re looking to influence the thoughts, actions, or decisions of a group of people, persuasive presentations work.

You can utilize this persuasive style if you want your audience to embrace a new point of view and take action in that regard. But the solution you’re offering won’t just be based on hearsay. You should introduce data, facts, statistics and more to inspire conviction and confidence in your audience.

Salespeople use persuasive presentations to communicate their client’s pain-point and to present their solution as the best fit. These presentations answer the questions “why” and “what’s the best way out.”

This women empowerment presentation template fits perfectly in this category. It explains the true meaning of women's empowerment and showcases the background and history.

It then shows principles backing up their cause from a recognized organization. Lastly, it answers questions like “Why is women's empowerment important”? And “how can I empower women”?

In your presentation, you can convince your audience to prioritize the education and empowerment of women globally by addressing these questions.

To convince your audience to take action, it's important to position your solution as the superior option and highlight its advantages.

Problem-solution

Unlike the persuasive presentation, where you are trying to convince your audience of the best solution, the problem-solution presentation is slightly different. It discusses various solutions that may benefit your audience and back them up with suggestions.

The main purpose of this type of presentation is to facilitate the decision-making process.

While presenting, you may comprehensively discuss the problem, the cause, the negative impacts and more. You’ll then list the various solutions that will serve your audience and expand on each one to aid better decision-making.

The solutions must be backed up by research or relevant data, including a pros and cons list. Try to project an overall angle on each solution in order to equip your audience with adequate information.

This type of presentation can be used in workplace settings where employees or managers present various solutions to challenges that may sprout occasionally. Thus, the company's leadership has ample information and options to make the best move for the company.

Let’s consider this problem-solution presentation template below:

This presentation begins by exploring the problem the audience faces: finding a home. It lists all the various pain points home buyers or renters have, building a connection with the audience.

After discussing the problem, two options or solutions are presented to the audience. However, there’s a recommendation so the audience can make a well-informed decision.

Hey executives! Looking to cut design costs?

• Spend less time on presentations and more time strategizing
• Ensure your brand looks and feels visually consistent across all your organization's documents
• Impress clients and stakeholders with boardroom ready presentations

The progress presentation delivers updates or progress on a task, project, or goal to a specific audience.

This presentation type aims to enlighten your audience and bring them up to date with the processes that have taken place on a given project. It combines a report, discussion and future projections into the presentation and is usually delivered during a task or project.

The progress presentation can include the current status of the project , important metrics, the problems and how they were addressed and the agenda for completion.

You can also discuss if any deadlines need to be extended or goals need to be refined. The benefit of the progress presentation is that everyone involved in your project can get acquainted with your progress and offer help or solutions along the way.

A great example of this presentation type is the shareholder presentation template.

This progress presentation template updates the company’s shareholders on their current assets, yearly performance revenues and key performance indicators.

This way, shareholders can see the improvement from past years and the current effort the company has made so far to increase its revenue and assets.

Shareholders regain confidence in the company and those who need further clarification are given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.

Your progress presentation should always include an overview of the project, task, or company you are sharing progress on.

Don't assume everyone knows what you have been doing. So take your time to explain the concept behind the project before you show your audience your progress.

Selling a Product or Service

If you think you need a separate type of presentation to sell your product or service, you’re absolutely right. And here it is!

You can use this type of presentation if you are trying to sell a new product or gather customer feedback about your product or service. It takes a deep dive into what your product or service is, why it was created, a step-by-step process on how to use it and how your product serves your audience.

What makes this type of presentation stand out is the active demonstration involved in the presentation. You could have live props of your product, including various scenarios where your product is used and demonstrate how your product is utilized in those instances.

If you don't have live props, you can include pictures, videos and other demonstrative material so that your audience can relate and picture themselves using your product, which boosts sales.

It’s best to go all out when you’re using this type of presentation because if you don’t viciously promote your product or service, who will? Utilize body language and gestures when presenting in order to keep the attention of your audience.

This quick recipe product presentation template perfectly fits into this type of presentation.

It first presents a problem that the audience can resonate with and goes on to showcase an ideal client or persona for the product. By giving your ideal customer a name and a face and describing their pain point, your audience can easily relate to them and adopt your solution.

This presentation template gives a step-by-step guide on how to use the product and answers some frequently asked questions in the presentations.

Include a review of your product's features and benefits, with a good CTA after your presentation. This will increase the response rate and prompt your audience to enquire more or purchase your product.

Here are 12 professionally designed presentation templates you can customize right away!

But first, let’s hear what one of our customers has to say about Visme:

I love to present concise information (i.e. sweet and easy) both for PC and mobile devices. Therefore, Visme is great and the learning curve was very manageable. Templates are inspiring. Once in a while I browse through them and use bits and pieces from good looking templates”

Wolfgang H.| Adjunct Professor

Let’s get to the templates.

1 Effective Study Techniques Presentation Template

Expose new study techniques to your students using this stunning presentation template.

This template falls under the educational presentation category. This is because it gives the audience detailed information about concepts that are relevant to them.

The use of high-quality vector icons and vibrant colors makes the presentation slides visually appealing. Remember, your students are learning something new and complex for the first time. Try to make your educational presentation fun, simple and easy to understand.

2 Product Training Interactive Presentation Template

Here we have another educational presentation template that answers a “How to” question.

Use this template to educate your customers on how to effectively use your product, app, tool, or platform to solve their business needs.

This presentation template is fun and engaging because it includes interactive features in its design. You can create an interactive presentation that stands out with popup icons, clickable links and more!

Instead of scheduling meetings, you can instantly produce presentations with Visme's presentation studio and let your audience see them whenever they choose. This can save time for remote teams by lowering the number of hours needed for meetings.

3 Onboarding Presentation Template

This onboarding presentation template is the perfect way to inform your new hires of the key personnel and processes in your company while also instructing them on the first things they need to focus on.

The simple design portrays a calm and inviting layout. This template also creates room to include pictures and visual aids which will boost your employee’s understanding.

This instructional presentation template provides a simple list of important documents that your new employee needs to submit to you, informs them on the office hybrid setup and gives clear instructions on daily reporting times.

This is a perfect instructional presentation template you can customize for your onboarding presentation right away!

4 Instagram Sponsorship Interactive Presentation Template

Who said presentations had to be serious all the time? Host your live training or webinar with this lively instructional presentation template!

This template utilizes colors and pictures that resonate with the intended audience. If you want to customize this template to suit your brand or workshop, you can utilize Visme’s huge library of high-resolution photos and videos.

With a step-by-step process, you can teach your audience exactly how to get sponsored on social media, the best posting times and even the optimal number of hashtags to use in each post.

At the end of your presentation, your audience will leave your workshop with confidence and knowledge to achieve their sponsorship goal.

5 Luxury Safari Presentation Template

If you’re looking to create awareness regarding a cause and inspire others to participate, this is a great presentation template to use.

This template highlights various wildlife, adventures and memorable experiences waiting to happen. It utilizes more photos than words, giving you the opportunity to present from your heart and connect with your audience.

At the end of your presentation, your audience will be motivated to take action toward sustaining wildlife and being an active part of it.

Every great motivational presentation ends with a clear CTA. Do this to ensure you’re guiding your audience to the right places after they’ve been motivated to drive a cause.

6 Charity Presentation Template

Use this template to convince your audience of the importance of their generosity to their immediate community. Show them how giving benefits them the most and present channels where they can give.

If you can’t find the perfect picture that supports your cause, you can check out Visme’s AI graphics generator and have specialized graphics generated for your presentation.

7 Home Appliance Presentation Template

Display your product as the best solution for your client's needs with this home appliance presentation template.

Begin your presentation by exposing the hidden pain points of your customer and how it is impacting their day-to-day living. Back up your findings with research or statistics to help them see the danger of continuing with their problem.

Your customers should know you really care about their pain and want to offer a solution that’ll be of great help to them.

With this template, you can present strong points for your product and even include a tutorial or demonstration video in the presentation! Showcase all the benefits of your product and even offer an incentive or discount to persuade people to buy your product!

8 SEO Tool Product Presentation Template

This interactive and engaging presentation template is perfect if you want to persuade potential customers to use your tool or app to solve their SEO or tech needs.

This presentation template doesn't just state the problem but poses it in question form. It presents statistics that inform the customers of what they’re really missing out on.

Engaging with your customers in this manner simplifies the process of persuading them to utilize your app since they feel like they are making the decisions independently.

Need to be on the move and still meet your presentation deadline? Not to worry, with Visme’s app, you can always create your presentations and collaborate with your team members on the go.`

There are also various ways you can connect with your customers when discussing their pain points and offering solutions. You can check out this guide that shares 29 killer presentation tips to remember for your next presentation.

9 Affordable Housing Non-Profit Presentation Template

Discuss the different solutions that aid affordable housing with this professionally designed presentation template.

This template begins with a problem statement. Here, you can outline your vision or problem statement that guides you to offer various solutions or partner with various organizations for the same cause.

Expand on each solution by presenting stats, quotes from recognized authorities and benefits of each one.

10 Business Development Presentation Template

Showcase your company as the best solution for your client’s needs with this stunning business development presentation template. This template has a clean layout that makes information easy to read and understand.

Highlight your company’s strength, team and history to create a connection with your clients and gain their confidence.

This template also displays the specific services your company offers along with the pricing system. This helps them to make more informed decisions. You can also recommend the best price based on your customer’s needs and budget.

Allow team members to share feedback and make comments on your presentations using Visme’s collaboration feature, ensuring that everyone is on page.

We highly recommend Visme for creating your presentations. However, if you’re still unsure, you can take a look at this article which compares some of the best presentation software .

11 Cryptocurrency Presentation Template

If you own an investment institution or a cryptocurrency firm, then you can use this presentation template to bring your team or clients on board with the current industry rates and trends.

You can update your clients on the following

• Current market cap
• New cryptocurrencies that have entered the market, as well as
• Promising growth trends and projections.

Easily project big data with various charts, graphs and tables in your presentation with Visme’s data visualization tool for better assimilation by your clients.

12 Lifestyle Product Presentation Template

Effectively sell your lifestyle products or services to potential customers using this amazing product presentation template.

Your goal here should be to highlight the best features of your product and the numerous advantages.

This template does justice to that by first engaging the audience in a series of questions that make them aware of a problem. It then talks about the current solution the customer is using but highlights shortcomings.

Ensure to give room for any queries that may arise during or after your presentation and also include a clear CTA that will guide your customers to where and how they can purchase your product.

Use Visme for All Your Presentation Needs

Choosing the right type of presentation will not only help you retain your audience's attention but also drive your point home effectively.

We are confident that with the knowledge you've gained from this guide, you'll be able to deliver your next presentation with ease and success.

If you are ready to start creating amazing presentations and engaging documents, Visme has everything you need.

Visme's presentation software makes it easy for anyone to design and customize presentations, even without graphic design experience. Apart from creating presentations, Visme also provides numerous solutions for project management, sales, marketing, training, HR and more.

Sign up for your Visme account and start creating excellent presentations and visual content today.

Create stunning presentations with Visme

Trusted by leading brands

Recommended content for you:

Create Stunning Content!

Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice.

About the Author

Olujinmi is a Content writer for Visme who creates human-first SEO content. She loves helping businesses smash their ROI goals with strategic content development and optimization. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her composing songs.

How To Present a Patient: A Step-To-Step Guide

Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Laura Turner

Updated and verified by Dr. Lee Burnett on March 19, 2022.

The ability to deliver oral case presentations is a core skill for any physician. Effective oral case presentations help facilitate information transfer among physicians and are essential to delivering quality patient care. Oral case presentations are also a key component of how medical students and residents are assessed during their training.

At its core, an oral case presentation functions as an argument. It is the presenter’s job to share the pertinent facts of a patient’s case with the other members of the medical care team and establish a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. Thus, the presenter should include details to support the proposed diagnosis, argue against alternative diagnoses, and exclude extraneous information. While this task may seem daunting at first, with practice, it will become easier. That said, if you are unsure if a particular detail is important to your patient’s case, it is probably best to be safe and include it.

Now, let’s go over how to present a case. While I will focus on internal medicine inpatients, the following framework can be applied to patients in any setting with slight modifications.

Oral case presentations are generally made to a medical care team, which can be composed of medical and pharmacy students, residents, pharmacists, medical attendings, and others. As the presenter, you should strive to deliver an interesting presentation that keeps your team members engaged. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Be confident: Speak clearly at the loudest volume appropriate to protect patient privacy, vary your tone to emphasize the most important details, and maintain eye contact with members of your team.
• Don’t fidget : Stand up straight and avoid unnecessary, distracting movements.
• Use your notes : You may glance at your notes from time to time while presenting. However, while there is no need to memorize your presentation, there is no better way to lose your team’s attention than to read your notes to them.
• Be honest: Given the importance of presentations in guiding medical care, never guess or report false information to the team. If you are unsure about a particular detail, say so.

The length of your presentation will depend on various factors, including the complexity of your patient, your audience, and your specialty. I have found that new internal medicine inpatients generally take 5-10 minutes to present. Internal medicine clerkship directors seem to agree. In a 2009 survey , they reported a range of 2-20 minutes for the ideal length of student inpatient presentations, with a median of 7 minutes.

While delivering oral case presentations is a core skill for trainees, and there have been attempts to standardize the format , expectations still vary among attending physicians. This can be a frustrating experience for trainees, and I would recommend that you clarify your attending’s expectations at the beginning of each new rotation. However, I have found that these differences are often stylistic, and content expectations are generally quite similar. Thus, developing a familiarity with the core elements of a strong oral case presentation is essential.

How to Present a Patient

You should begin every oral presentation with a brief one-liner that contains the patient’s name, age, relevant past medical history, and chief complaint. Remember that the chief complaint is why the patient sought medical care in his or her own words. An example of an effective opening is as follows: “Ms. X is a 78-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presents to the hospital after she felt short of breath at home.”

Following the opener, elaborate on why the patient sought medical care. Describe the events that preceded the patient’s presentation in chronological order. A useful mnemonic to use when deciding what to report is OPQRST , which includes: • The Onset of the patient’s symptoms • Any Palliative or Provoking factors that make the symptoms better or worse, respectively • The Quality of his or her symptoms (how he or she describes them) • The Region of the body where the patient is experiencing his or her symptoms and (if the symptom is pain) whether the patient’s pain Radiates to another location or is well-localized • The Severity of the symptoms and any other associated Symptoms • The Time course of the symptoms (how they have changed over time and whether the patient has experienced them before) Additionally, include any other details here that may support your final diagnosis or rule out alternative diagnoses. For example, if you are concerned about a pulmonary embolism and your patient recently completed a long-distance flight, that would be worth mentioning.

The review of systems is sometimes included in the history of present illness, but it may also be separated. Given the potential breadth of the review of systems (a comprehensive list of questions that may be asked can be found here ), when presenting, only report information that is relevant to your patient’s condition.

The past medical history comes next. This should include the following information: • The patient’s medical conditions, including any that were not highlighted in the opener • Any past surgeries the patient has had and when they were performed • The timing of and reasons for past hospitalizations • Any current medications, including dosages and frequency of administration

The next section should detail the patient’s relevant family history. This should include: • Any relevant conditions that run in the patient’s family, with an emphasis on first-degree relatives

After the family history comes the social history. This section should include information about the patient’s: • Living situation • Occupation • Alcohol and tobacco use • Other substance use You may also include relevant details about the patient’s education level, recent travel history, history of animal and occupational exposures, and religious beliefs. For example, it would be worth mentioning that your anemic patient is a Jehovah’s Witness to guide medical decisions regarding blood transfusions.

Once you have finished reporting the patient’s history, you should transition to the physical exam. You should begin by reporting the patient’s vital signs, which includes the patient’s: • Temperature • Heart rate • Blood pressure • Respiratory rate • Oxygen saturation (if the patient is using supplemental oxygen, this should also be reported) Next, you should discuss the findings of your physical exam. At the minimum, this should include: • Your general impressions of the patient, including whether he or she appears “sick” or not • The results of your: • Head and neck exam • Eye exam • Respiratory exam • Cardiac exam • Abdominal exam • Extremity exam • Neurological exam Additional relevant physical examination findings may be included, as well. Quick note: resist the urge to report an exam as being “normal.” Instead, report your findings. For example, for a normal abdominal exam, you could report that “the patient’s abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended, with normoactive bowel sounds.”

This section includes the results of any relevant laboratory testing, imaging, or other diagnostics that were obtained. You do not have to report the results of every test that was ordered. Before presenting, consider which results will further support your proposed diagnosis and exclude alternatives.

The emergency department (ED) course is classically reported towards the end of the presentation. However, different attendings may prefer to hear the ED course earlier, usually following the history of present illness. When unsure, report the ED course after the results of diagnostic testing. Be sure to include initial ED vital signs and any administered treatments.

You should conclude your presentation with the assessment and plan. This is the most important part of your presentation and allows you to show your team how much you really know. You should include: • A brief summary (1-2 lines) of the patient, the reason for admission, and your likely diagnosis. This should also include information regarding the patient’s clinical stability. While it can be similar to your opener, it should not be identical. An example could be: “Ms. X is a 78-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presents with shortness of breath in the setting of an upper respiratory tract infection who is now stable on two liters of supplemental oxygen delivered via nasal cannula. Her symptoms are thought to be secondary to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” • A differential diagnosis . For students, this should consist of 3-5 potential diagnoses. You should explain why you think each diagnosis is or is not the final diagnosis. Be sure to rule out potentially life-threatening conditions (unless you think your patient has one). For our fictional patient, Ms. X, for example, you could explain why you think she does not have a pulmonary embolism or acute coronary syndrome. For more advanced trainees, the differential can be more limited in scope. • Your plan . On regular inpatient floors, this should include a list of the patient’s medical problems, ordered by acuity, followed by your proposed plan for each. After going through each active medical problem, be sure to mention your choice for the patient’s diet and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, the patient’s stated code status, and the patient’s disposition (whether you think they need to remain in the hospital). In intensive care units, you can organize the patient’s medical problems by organ system to ensure that no stone is left unturned (if there are no active issues for an organ system, you may say so).

Presenting Patients Who Have Been in the Hospital for Multiple Days

After the initial presentation, subsequent presentations can be delivered via SOAP note format as follows:

• The  Subjective  section includes details about any significant overnight events and any new complaints the patient has.
• In the  Objective  section, report your physical exam (focus on any changes since you last examined the patient) and any significant new laboratory, imaging, or other diagnostic results.
• The  Assessment  and  Plan  are typically delivered as above. For the initial patient complaint, you do not have to restate your differential diagnosis if the diagnosis is known. For new complaints, however, you should create another differential and argue for or against each diagnosis. Be sure to update your plan every day.

Presenting Patients in Different Specialties

Before you present a patient, consider your audience. Every specialty presents patients differently. In general, surgical and OB/GYN presentations tend to be much quicker (2-3 minutes), while pediatric and family medicine presentations tend to be similar in length to internal medicine presentations. Tailor your presentations accordingly.

Presenting Patients in Outpatient Settings

Outpatients may be presented similarly to inpatients. Your presentation’s focus, however, should align with your outpatient clinic’s specialty. For example, if you are working at a cardiology clinic, your presentation should be focused on your patient’s cardiac complaints.

If your patient is returning for a follow-up visit and does not have a stated chief complaint, you should say so. You may replace the history of present illness with any relevant interval history since his or her last visit.

And that’s it! Delivering oral case presentations is challenging at first, so remember to practice. In time, you will become proficient in this essential medical skill. Good luck!

Kunal Sindhu, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and New York Proton Center. Dr. Sindhu specializes in treating cancers of the head, neck, and central nervous system.

2 thoughts on “How To Present a Patient: A Step-To-Step Guide”

To clarify, it should take 5-10 minutes to present (just one) new internal medicine inpatient? Or if the student had 4 patients to work up, it should take 10 minutes to present all 4 patients to the preceptor?

Good question. That’s per case, but with time you’ll become faster.

Comments are closed.

Case Presentations and the ASWB Exam (Including Templates!)

Agents of change.

• April 26, 2023

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on case presentations and their importance in the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) licensing exam! As a Social Worker, you’ll often find yourself presenting cases to your peers, supervisors, and other professionals to discuss and evaluate your client’s needs and progress. Mastering case presentations is not only essential for your day-to-day practice, but it also plays an important role in your journey to becoming a licensed Social Worker.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of case presentations, breaking down their significance in the field of Social Work and the components that make them effective. We’ll also offer practical tips and strategies for preparing and delivering a successful case presentation, as well as delve into how these presentations are tested on the ASWB licensing exam. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of case presentations and their relevance to your exam preparation and professional growth. So, let’s get started!

Case Presentation Overview

Case presentations hold a significant place in the Social Work profession, as they serve multiple essential purposes in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Let’s explore some of the key reasons why case presentations are so important for Social Workers:

• Collaboration and Supervision: Case presentations provide a platform for Social Workers to discuss their clients’ cases with colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals. These discussions facilitate collaborative problem-solving, allowing the team to brainstorm and identify the most suitable interventions and resources for the client. Supervisors can also use case presentations as a tool to guide, mentor, and ensure the quality of practice among their supervisees.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: Presenting a case requires a thorough and accurate assessment of the client’s situation, including their strengths, challenges, and needs. This process helps Social Workers hone their assessment and diagnostic skills, enabling them to better understand their clients and provide appropriate services.
• Treatment Planning and Evaluation: Case presentations involve outlining the intervention and treatment plans for clients, as well as evaluating their progress. This encourages Social Workers to think critically about their approaches, assess the effectiveness of their interventions, and make adjustments as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes for their clients.
• Professional Development: Preparing and delivering case presentations allows Social Workers to practice their communication, organization, and critical thinking skills. These presentations also provide opportunities to receive feedback from peers and supervisors, fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
• Ethical Practice and Accountability: Presenting cases to others promotes transparency and accountability within the profession. It ensures that Social Workers adhere to the Code of Ethics, maintain confidentiality, and provide services in the best interest of their clients.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Social Work often involves working with professionals from various disciplines, such as psychology, psychiatry, nursing, and education. Case presentations serve as an effective means of communication between different professionals, helping to coordinate care and ensure that the client’s needs are comprehensively addressed.

Key Components of Case Presentations

An effective case presentation in social work should be well-organized, concise, and focused on the most relevant information pertaining to the client’s situation. Here are the key components that should be included in a case presentation:

• Identifying Information: Begin by providing general, non-identifying information about the client, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, and marital status. Remember to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the Code of Ethics when sharing this information.
• Presenting Problem: Describe the client’s primary concern or reason for seeking Social Work services. This may include specific symptoms, difficulties, or circumstances that the client is currently experiencing.
• History of the Problem: Provide a brief overview of the development and progression of the presenting problem. This should include any relevant events, experiences, or factors that may have contributed to the current situation.
• Relevant Social, Family, and Medical History: Discuss any significant social, family, or medical history that may be relevant to the presenting problem. This may include information about the client’s family structure, relationships, support systems, education, employment, housing, and physical or mental health history.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: Based on the information gathered, present your assessment of the client’s needs, strengths, and challenges. If applicable, provide a formal diagnosis according to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or ICD (International Classification of Diseases) criteria.
• Intervention and Treatment Plan : Outline the proposed intervention and treatment plan for the client, including specific goals, objectives, and strategies. This may involve a combination of therapeutic approaches, referrals to additional services, or collaboration with other professionals.
• Progress and Evaluation: Discuss any progress that has been made since initiating the intervention or treatment plan, as well as any challenges or barriers that have arisen. Explain how you will evaluate the effectiveness of your interventions and determine the need for any adjustments or modifications to the plan.

Case Presentation Template Examples

• Case Presentation Template from California State University
• Case Presentation Template from Sage Publications
• Case Presentation Template from Syracuse University
• Case Presentation Template from the University of North Carolina

Tips for Preparing and Delivering a Case Presentation

Preparing and delivering a successful case presentation requires organization, clarity, and practice. Here are some practical tips and strategies to help you effectively present your cases in a professional setting and on the ASWB licensing exam:

• Be concise and organized: Create an outline or a template that includes all the key components of a case presentation. This will help you present the information in a logical and structured manner. Make sure to be concise and focus on the most relevant details, avoiding unnecessary jargon or lengthy explanations.
• Focus on the most relevant information: When presenting a case, it’s crucial to prioritize the information that is most pertinent to the client’s situation and the questions being asked. Highlight the main issues, challenges, and concerns, as well as any significant findings or patterns in the client’s history.
• Use professional language : Ensure that your presentation is professional and respectful by using appropriate terminology and avoiding colloquial expressions or slang. Be sensitive to issues related to culture, race, and ethnicity, and always maintain client confidentiality.
• Anticipate potential questions: Consider the questions that your audience may ask about the case, and be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications. This will demonstrate your thorough understanding of the client’s situation and your ability to think critically about the case.
• Practice the presentation: Rehearse your case presentation several times, either alone or with a trusted colleague, to build your confidence and fluency. This will also help you identify any areas that may need clarification or improvement. Practicing with a timer can be helpful to ensure that your presentation stays within the allotted time.
• Engage your audience : During your presentation, maintain eye contact with your audience, speak clearly, and project your voice. Encourage questions and feedback, and be open to suggestions and alternative perspectives.
• Reflect on feedback and adjust accordingly: After presenting your case, take the time to reflect on the feedback you received from your audience. Consider how you can incorporate their suggestions and insights into your future presentations and practice.

Case Presentations on the ASWB Licensing Exam

The ASWB licensing exam is designed to assess your competency in various aspects of Social Work practice, including your ability to analyze and address case scenarios effectively. Case presentations are an important part of the exam, as they allow you to demonstrate your understanding of Social Work concepts, theories, and interventions in real-life situations. Here’s what you need to know about case presentation questions on the exam and how to approach them:

• Reading and understanding the case scenario: Each case presentation question will provide you with a brief case scenario that describes a client’s situation, background, and presenting problem. Carefully read the scenario, paying close attention to the most relevant details and issues. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the client’s needs, strengths, and challenges before attempting to answer the question.
• Identifying the key issues in the case: Once you have a thorough understanding of the case scenario, identify the main issues that need to be addressed in the context of Social Work practice. This may include ethical concerns, assessment and diagnosis, intervention and treatment planning, or evaluation and progress monitoring.
• Choosing the best response based on the available options: The exam question will typically present you with multiple-choice options that represent possible courses of action or decisions in response to the case scenario. Carefully consider each option, and select the one that best aligns with Social Work principles, ethics, and best practices. Keep in mind that there may be more than one “good” answer, but you need to choose the “best” option based on the information provided.
• Practicing with sample questions and case scenarios : To prepare for case presentation questions on the ASWB licensing exam, practice with sample questions and case scenarios that cover a wide range of topics and situations. This will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format, as well as refine your critical thinking and decision-making skills in the context of Social Work practice.

Practice ASWB Exam Questions on Case Presentations

Question 1: A Social Worker is presenting a case involving a 16-year-old female client who is experiencing difficulties at school, family conflicts, and symptoms of depression. The Social Worker wants to recommend an intervention that will address multiple aspects of the client’s life, including her relationships, communication, and emotional well-being. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate?

A) Family therapy B) Group therapy for depression C) Individual psychoanalytic therapy D) Art therapy

Rationale: Family therapy is an intervention that focuses on improving communication, relationships, and problem-solving within the family system. Given the client’s difficulties with school and family conflicts, in addition to her depressive symptoms, family therapy would be the most comprehensive and appropriate intervention to address multiple aspects of her life. Options B, C, and D may be helpful in addressing some specific aspects of the client’s situation, but they do not provide the same level of holistic support and intervention as family therapy.

Question 2: A Social Worker is preparing a case presentation on a 45-year-old male client experiencing job-related stress, relationship issues, and symptoms of depression. The Social Worker wants to ensure that their presentation is comprehensive and informative for their colleagues. What should the Social Worker prioritize when presenting the case?

A) Focus on the client’s job-related stress, as it is the primary concern. B) Provide an in-depth analysis of the client’s relationship issues to uncover the root causes. C) Present a detailed timeline of the client’s life events to establish context. D) Provide an overview of the client’s presenting issues, relevant history, and proposed interventions.

Correct Answer: D.

Rationale: When presenting a case, it is important to provide a comprehensive and balanced overview of the client’s situation. This includes discussing their presenting issues, relevant history, and proposed interventions. By doing so, the Social Worker ensures that their colleagues have enough information to contribute to the discussion and offer valuable insights. Options A, B, and C are more narrowly focused on specific aspects of the case, which may not provide a complete picture of the client’s situation and needs.

Master Your Understanding of Case Presentations

Case presentations play a vital role in the field of Social Work, both in practice and in preparing for the ASWB licensing exam. They allow Social Workers to demonstrate their understanding of client situations, apply their knowledge of Social Work principles and interventions, and engage in meaningful collaboration with their colleagues.

By understanding the importance of case presentations, incorporating the key components, following tips for preparing and delivering effective presentations, and practicing with case scenarios, Social Workers can enhance their skills and improve their performance on the ASWB licensing exam.

Remember to utilize case presentation templates to create a structured and organized approach when presenting cases to your peers or supervisors. These templates can be tailored to suit individual preferences and case requirements, ensuring that you effectively convey the most pertinent information about your client’s situation. By honing your case presentation skills, you not only contribute to your professional development but also become better equipped to advocate for and support your clients in their journey toward well-being.

For more content, resources, and practice questions like the ones discussed in this blog post, visit www.agentsofchangeprep.com . With our comprehensive materials and expert guidance, you’ll be well-prepared for the ASWB exam and ready to excel in your Social Work practice!

————————————————————————————————————————————————

► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over five years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!

Find more from Agents of Change here:

► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep

► Podcast: https://anchor.fm/agents-of-change-sw

#socialwork #testprep #aswb #socialworker #socialwork #socialworktest #socialworkexam #exam #socialworktestprep #socialworklicense #socialworklicensing #licsw #lmsw #lcsw #aswbexam #aswb #lcswexam #lmswexam #aswbtestprep #aswbtest #lcswtestprep #lcswtest #lmswtestprep #lmswtest #aswbcourse #learningstyles #learningstyle

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Share this:

Popular posts.

Commonly Used Social Work Tools and Models Featured on ASWB Exam

How to Earn and Track Your CE Credits for Counselors

How to Find Free NBCC Approved CEs for Counselors: A Comprehensive Guide

Counselor Acronyms Defined: A Must-Know Guide

Career Options for Licensed Counselors

Licensing Requirements for Counselor Careers

Understanding the Different Types of Licensed Counselors: A Complete Guide

Agents of Change is NBCC Approved!

You may also like.

Pass Your Social Work Exam

Try it for free  

Agents of Change will help you prepare to  PASS  your licensing exam and level up your career.

Quick Links

If you have any questions not covered by our FAQs, please get in touch using the email below

Email: [email protected]

Discover more from Agents of Change Social Work Test Prep

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Presentory for Windows

Presentory for mac, presentory online.

Rebrand your approach to conveying ideas.

Differentiate your classroom and engage everyone with the power of AI.

Knowledge Sharing

Create inspiring, fun, and meaningful hybrid learning experiences

Create with AI

• AI Tools Tips

Presentation Ideas

• Presentation Topics
• Presentation Elements
• Presentation Software
• PowerPoint Tips

Presentation Templates

• Template Sites
• Template Themes
• Design Ideas

Use Presentory Better

• Creator Hub

More Details

• Basic Knowledge
• Creative Skills
• Inspirational Ideas

Find More Answers

• LOG IN SIGN UP FOR FREE

• Types of Case Study Presentation Templates
• 8 Best Sites for Animated PowerPoint Templates 2023 [Free & Paid]
• Mastering the Art of Choosing the Perfect Presentation Background
• 9 Best Sites for Halloween PPT Templates, Icons, and Music
• Best 5+ Sites for Biology Presentation Templates and Icons
• Best 6+ Sites for Birthday PowerPoint Templates, Icons, and Music
• 10 Useful Sites for Mind Map PowerPoint Templates
• 10 Best Sites for Christmas PowerPoint Templates and Elements
• Best 9 Sites for All Kinds of Video Presentation Backgrounds
• Top 8 Disney PowerPoint Template Free - Guide to Creating Disney-Themed Presentations
• Create Decision Trees in PowerPoint: Guide and Templates
• 10+ Best Free Chemistry PowerPoint Templates and Icons Sites
• 10+ Clear Business Model Canvas Templates
• The Ultimate Guide to Create a Winning Pitch Deck
• Mastering Pecha Kucha Presentation: A Comprehensive Template Guide
• The Ultimate Guide and Templates to Storyboard Presentations
• Enhance Your Tech Presentations: Technology PPT Templates and Backgrounds
• A Comprehensive Guide to the 30-60-90 Day Plan Template in PowerPoint
• 5+ Food Presentation Templates and Icons Sites
• Explore the Top 6 Minimalist PowerPoint Presentation Templates
• Best 10 Free Family Tree Templates for PowerPoint and Google Slides
• Top 8 Free Infographic Templates PowerPoint in 2023
• A Well-Descriptive Guide to Using Music Templates in PowerPoint Presentations
• Explore the Top 8 Family Feud PowerPoint Templates
• 5 Editable World Map PowerPoint Templates
• 10 Best PowerPoint and Google Slides Calendar Templates
• 12 Business Case PPT Templates for Stand-Out Presentations
• Learn About Agenda Slides and Explore 5 Best Agenda PPT Template
• Top 10 Thesis Defense PowerPoint Templates to Use in 2023
• How To Create the Perfect Resume PowerPoint in 2023?
• Looking Into Top-Rated Options of Executive Summary PowerPoint Templates
• Finding Free PowerPoint Templates for Teachers Making Their Educational Journey Easy
• Listing Some Top Cybersecurity PPT Templates for Industries in 2023

Case study presentations provide an in-depth study of any topic, event, or situation. For marketing, business, and education purposes, they are considered valuable resources. In these fields,  case study presentation templates  convey a deeper understanding of topics. Using templates lets your audience focus on the content being delivered.

Moreover, you will have to provide a structured presentation to maintain the information flow. To cater to this problem, an organized template can enhance the credibility and quality of the presentation. Thus, discussed below are some needs, benefits, and types of case study presentations. Besides, you will find the 3 best  case study PowerPoint templates  in this article.

In this article

• The Need for Case Study PowerPoint Templates
• Three Popular Types of Case Study PowerPoint Templates
• Best 3 Case Study PowerPoint Templates for Three Types

Bonus Tip. Present a Case Study like a Pro

Part 1. the need for case study powerpoint templates.

To present case studies, a PowerPoint template contains specifically designed layouts. Typically, they evolve around real-life scenarios, research findings, and recommendations. For instance, medical professionals can discuss patient cases and treatment plans using templates. Moreover, they are structured for different contexts and industries per your diverse requirements.

Benefits of Using Case Study Templates

Case study PPT templates help convey proper information with attractive designs. These templates offer several other benefits that are listed below:

• Time-Saving: Case study templates save users from the challenge of manually designing PPTs. Instead of creating a presentation from scratch, insert text in placeholders. With such templates, users can bring brainstorming ideas to start researching content.
• Professionalism and Consistency: Start-up businesses struggle to sustain themselves in the market. These templates can help them because of their professional layouts, formats, and styles. This way, your content becomes readable and prominent in front of the client or investor because of the consistent graphics, texts, and elements designs.
• Enhanced Audience Engagement: Presenters must use compelling visuals for the audience's attention. So, use case study templates with well-structured graphics that attract listeners. This way, you can give a tech-savvy look and get more engagement.
• Content-focused and Fewer Errors: With clear and consistent information, case study templates reduce confusion. Such designs cut the chances of errors because of predefined text-holders.

Part 2. Three Popular Types of Case Study PowerPoint Templates

As discussed, case study presentation templates are designed for many scenarios. They can assist in getting insights into a broader context of the subject matter. Now, let's explore three popular types of case study templates to meet your presentation requirements.

1. Industry-Specific Templates

The pre-designed layout of industry-specific templates enables team leaders to focus on specific tasks. This type can help in meeting the requirements of a particular business by simplifying the process. Following are a few subcategories of this popular type of case study template:

• With these templates, marketers can launch a plan, content calendars, and sales proposals. They assist in scheduling blog posts and articles and in strategic planning.
• In the field of healthcare, these templates help in collecting patient data. They are designed to show the medical histories and treatment plans of patients.
• Students can maintain their lesson plans through these templates in an organized way. The pre-designed templates help in formatting the research papers in different citation styles. Professors can use these templates for planning course outlines along with grading progress.

2. Use Case-Specific Templates

For personal growth and development, these templates give user-specific designs. They can reduce time and the chances of errors because they are designed according to specific use cases. Read further to know the benefits of case-specific study PPT templates in different contexts:

• While highlighting narratives, these templates enable audience engagement. Users can showcase the tasks and positive conclusions of their success stories.
• Problem-solving is a critical aspect for authorities and decision-makers in businesses. Using these templates, list strengths, weaknesses, and prospects to plan an action.
• Increase brand awareness by adding customer statements in brand portfolios. So, these templates help you add honest customer reviews and plan marketing.

3. Design-Focused Templates

To rank the visual impact of presentations, designed-focused templates are crafted. They can maintain the viewer’s focus through visual elements and graphics. With multimedia integration, these templates can create a logical flow of your arguments. Some of their uses in different sectors are as follows:

• Create presentations, resumes, or brochures with minimalistic and clean design. Such templates use simple navigation, elegant designs, and appealing color combinations. They can remove the clutter and grab attention towards the main material.
• If you want to simplify complex information, then use infographic shapes. Such templates offer layouts for comparison and display numerical data in digestible formats.
• Keep audience attention throughout the content delivery process using those designs. For this purpose, there are creative icons and fonts to present data in a storytelling manner.

Part 3. Best 3 Case Study PowerPoint Templates for Three Types

To showcase stories or attract new clients, case study presentation templates are good to go. They can effectively capture facts and data that are challenging to organize. For all popular types of case study projects, there are many templates on the internet. Thus, the following are the best 3 case study slide templates related to those topics.

1. Hospital-Acquired Infection Patient Case Study

People might get hospital infections if they stay longer in hospitals. So, this template is designed to address those hospital-acquired infections. Healthcare professionals can use this template to graphically display their factual data sets. This template consists of 48 slides to download in PowerPoint or Google Slides format.

Using initial slides, introduce your topic with statistics and graphs to show prevalence. Then, insert the patient’s medical and personal history through a table. Afterward, discuss the case with potential treatment plans, outcomes, and upcoming milestones. Users can also display a roadmap through yearly initiatives and aims for treatment.

2. Black and Purple Modern Business Case Study Corporate Presentation

Entrepreneurs face many challenges that often result in unwanted outcomes. To address such concerns, managers can use this template to map out their strategies. It can help them manage the company’s obstacles in an organized way. Start with introducing your challenges and objectives to effectively solve them. Moving forward, insert a SWOT analysis table to show strengths, weaknesses, etc.

Then, perform competitor analysis by using graphs and circles with purple shades. Presenters can explain proposed solutions and recommendations for those problems. In the whole process, explain every aspect of the case by using icons, pictures, and objects.

3. Brand Research Presentation

Marketing firms run analyses to determine products’ impact on clients. They can drive results and do further research on product improvement. In such cases, this template helps to show results and impress new clients for projects. Using the first few slides, introduce your topic and add an agenda slide to spark curiosity.

This multi-colored template offers a table to show industry analysis results. Then, users can insert verbatims of customer’s positive reviews. Afterward, develop new market strategies using several pictures. Conclude your research findings and explain the summary to keep listeners intact.

Trainers and marketers need a  case study format PPT  to explore concepts in detail. In such cases, they search for pre-designed templates to stand out from others and save time. According to diverse needs, there are several types of templates available online. Using templates is not enough for attractive presentations and gaining listener engagement. 

To make your case study presentation stand out, use Wondershare Presentory  for its top-notch AI features. This AI tool is available for Windows users, but don’t worry if you are a Mac or Linux user because you can also use this tool through your web browser. It even provides a 14-day free trial in which you are provided with 1500 AI credits to create AI-powered presentations.

Free Download Free Download Try It Online

Key Features

• AI-Generated Content: Free up your time from content delivery and other preparations. You don't have to spend hours on case studies because of its AIGC feature . It generates detailed and accurate presentation outlines within seconds. Users can get their content by inserting a topic, targeted audience, and extra details. After approving content, processed to insert in desired slides.
• Polished Templates: There are stunning built-in templates per case study presentation types. Choose the required template design and personalize slides according to diverse needs. This AI tool offers multimedia placeholders for text, images, videos, or icons. For education or other information-sharing niches, these templates provide impactful designs.
• Live-Stream Presentations: Share your ideas globally and remove communication barriers. In this regard, use the live streaming feature of this AI tool and present it on popular platforms. Also, you can record presentations and share online links for instant feedback. It offers facial features enhancement options to boost your confidence.
• Built-in Teleprompter: Keep conversations smoother while presenting with this option. It enables users to present fluently through its script scrolling feature. Users can also adjust the location of the teleprompter pan on the screen. For readability, you can change the font size and color of the script in the teleprompter section.
• Abundant Resources: Modify your case study slide template using its rich resources. After importing your PPT in this AI tool, insert animation and transition effects. This way, presentations enhance the credibility and professionalism of presenters. Afterward, add virtual backgrounds, trending text designs, and related stickers from resources.

In short, the case study PowerPoint template maintains consistency in presentations. Professionals can communicate detailed information without putting much effort into it. These pre-designed layouts also boost professionalism and reduce error while being content-focused. Thus, we have discussed types of case study presentations along with relevant templates.

For stand-out presentations, use Wondershare Presentory as a top-notch AI presentation tool. It is integrated with various platforms for conferencing and live-streaming. Users can adjust their webcam layouts in video presentations to emphasize key points. This AI tool offers updated features since the digital learning trends have changed.

You May Also Like

Related articles.

• UNC Chapel Hill

Case Presentation Skills

Communicating patient care information to colleagues and other health professionals is an essential skill regardless of specialty. Internists have traditionally given special attention to case presentation skills because of the comprehensive nature of patient evaluations and the various settings in which internal medicine is practiced. Students should develop facility with different types of case presentation: written and oral, new patient and follow-up, inpatient and outpatient.

Prerequisite

Basic written and oral case presentation skills, obtained in physical diagnosis courses.

Specific Learning Objectives

• components of comprehensive and abbreviated case presentations (oral and written) and the settings appropriate for each.
• present illness organized chronologically, without repetition, omission, or extraneous information.
• a comprehensive physical examination with detail pertinent to the patient’s problem.
• a succinct and, where appropriate, unified list of all problems identified in the history and physical examination.
• a differential diagnosis for each problem (appropriate to level of training).
• a diagnosis/treatment plan for each problem (appropriate to level of training).
• orally present a new patient’s case in a logical manner, chronologically developing the present illness, summarizing the pertinent positive and negative findings as well as the differential diagnosis and plans for further testing and treatment.
• orally present a follow-up patient’s case, in a focused, problem-based manner that includes pertinent new findings and diagnostic and treatment plans.
• select the appropriate mode of presentation that is pertinent to the clinical situation.
• demonstrate a commitment to improving case presentation skills by regularly seeking feedback on presentations. accurately and objectively record and present data.

Connect with us

What you need for a winning business case presentation

Grow a business.

• Flat Design
• Minimalist Design
• Colorful, Bright, and Bold Design
• Infographic-Style Slides in Presentations
• Bold Typography Design

In a business case presentation, you need to create an engaging, concise presentation with all the relevant data needed to win over investors. Here, we will discuss all the relevant factors that make a business… ... read more In a business case presentation, you need to create an engaging, concise presentation with all the relevant data needed to win over investors. Here, we will discuss all the relevant factors that make a business presentation successful, interesting, and worthwhile. close

When planning to meet investors, you will need to develop a business case presentation to persuade stakeholders that your plans are worth supporting. A well-researched and well-thought-out business case presentation should have an argument at its core that it vouches for. You need to present a credible and authoritative argument to create support for an initiative.

What is a business case?

In a project’s early phase, a business case is a document that contains vital information including the risks, benefits, and costs. The purpose of a business case is to bolster decision-makers to take action and provide the funds and resources needed. It is an outline that addresses questions and concerns, evaluates benefits, and outlines challenges to communicating an initiative’s value.

When should you create a business case presentation?

When planning to persuade a stakeholder or sponsor to offer their support, a business case presentation is an appropriate course of action that formalizes the request. Business case presentations are usually used in circumstances when funding is needed, a project’s scope is changed, a new project is being started, or additional team members or resources are requested.

Why is a business case presentation important?

A business case presentation is developed to serve two main functions. They explain projects to their stakeholders and lay out all the details, from the time it will take to the costs and potential losses and gains.

Business case presentations also help investors see the effort behind the initiative. Showcasing the research, facts, and detailed planning assures decision-makers that their contributions are worthwhile and justified.

How is a business case different from a business plan?

Although both business cases and business plans share the same purpose of persuading decision-makers to invest in your project, there are important differences to make note of.

A business case has a narrower focus, concentrating more on a certain problem and its following finances, risks, and benefits. Decision-makers here are the relevant heads of departments or internal stakeholders selecting options based on strategy and priority.

A business plan encompasses a broader reach, offering layouts for new businesses and major changes. It looks into competitors and marketing plans to persuade investors and senior leadership in a business.

What are the different types of business cases?

In any business case presentation preparation, you need to consider that stakeholders will differ according to departments and interests. These differences will need to be accommodated and catered to to ensure that the structure adequately addresses the stakeholder’s interests.

01 The Strategic Business Case

In a strategic business case, the case is for a change in a business and how it ought to align with its overall goals and direction. A strong, strategic business case needs to outline the solution to a problem and the overall scope of what the project is meant to achieve.

02 The Economic Business Case

An economic business case presents the best economic case by evaluating options based on their cost and the value they provide. The options showcased take into account broader factors, like social and environmental effects, especially if the project affects the public, such as a product or building.

03 The Commercial Business Case

The commercial case takes the economic case a step further by looking at suppliers and acquiring resources more cost-effectively. A commercial case anticipates what is needed for a project and the obstacles that might occur throughout obtaining them.

04 The Financial Business Case

This presentation type focuses on what a business can afford to fund by demonstrating an analysis of the capital and revenue for the preferred option. A financial business case needs to be presented in a structured manner that represents the analysis.

05 The Management Business Case

A management business case demonstrates the plans in place for the delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of your project to managerial stakeholders. Present the plans for how a project will be managed and the practices it is set to follow.

What you need to create a business case PowerPoint presentation

When preparing a business case presentation, you need to collect all the facts, figures, details, and research to build a solid case. You need to cover all the points of concern for the stakeholders, including the context, problem, analysis, solution, and execution.

It’s important to note that the different business case presentations we discussed earlier would address different points and have different requirements. Use a business case presentation template as a guide or a checklist to reference throughout.

Establish context 

When preparing your presentation, you need to consider that not all members of the audience will have previously read your proposal or are aware of your circumstance. Begin by presenting an executive summary that gives context to your initiative.

An executive summary would offer a brief but comprehensive overview of your business case. Since business cases can easily become over a hundred pages, it’s important to have a summary that highlights the problem being addressed and the solutions available.

State the problem

A problem statement puts the spotlight on the goals and purpose of your business case. It’s time to showcase your understanding of a problem and the plans you have to address it. When describing a problem, make sure to disclose the internal and external effects it has. Why is your solution important? How does it approach the problem?

Business requirements 

In any project, there will be business requirements needed to aid throughout. Whether it’s a certain budget, preferred suppliers, or a specific timeline, you need to establish your project’s needs. Since these factors could affect the overall success or quality of a project, determine what they are and explain how they would help carry out the project.

Analyze finances

There is no doubt that the main thing on your investor’s mind is the numbers involved in your business case. Present your current financial details in comparison to the projected numbers if your project gets the support it needs.

Describe the solution

The solution you propose is a direct response to the problem you address. Here, you broach the answers your business case offers. How you describe your solution relates to the decision you’re aiming for.

A solution could be a material difference to your resources such as a new office or fixing a product issue. So in the presentation, outline all the questions relating to your solution, the what, who, when, and how of the answers you’re proposing.

Detail the execution strategy

To support an initiative, stakeholders want to be in on the overall vision and know all the goings-on and plans. Detail your execution strategy describing the plans, process, risks, metrics, and KPIs involved to produce the best results possible. Share any issues you initially faced and how you handled them to convey your credibility.

Share your results

This section is necessary to elaborate on the positive impact your solution will have on a project. This is the space to discuss projected or available financial and growth results and other palpable improvements. This section would also benefit from visual aids such as graphs and charts.

9 Tips for presenting your business case

Now that you’ve gathered all the data you need for your business case, there are things you need to keep in mind as you lay out all this information. Developing a business case is about how you present it as much as it is about what you present.

01 Determine your goals

The first step in designing a business case presentation is outlining the goals you want your presentation to achieve. What is the main purpose? What do you want stakeholders to get out of it? Consider aligning the business case’s objectives with its solutions. For example, use the relevant pain points to address the intended outcomes of your presentation.

02 Decide on the right delivery mode

We often advise that when preparing for a presentation, you should aim to tailor it for your audience to make it more engaging, and a business case presentation is no different. Consider the mediums or features that would best capture your audience’s attention. What are the main points you want to highlight? Would a video do? Would your audience prepare beforehand, or do you need to address every detail yourself? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when developing your presentation.

03 Have an elevator pitch ready

Sometimes, the stakeholders you want to present to are busy and distracted, so you have an elevator pitch ready. Prepare a quick pitch that grabs their attention with all the basics covered.

04 Focus on the essential information

In the same vein as having an elevator pitch ready, be selective with the information you present . There is no need to share the entire business plan. Focus on the essential information that serves your overall case and emphasize it.

05 Be memorable

Structure your business case’s data into a compelling story. This is more elaborate than an elevator pitch. Find the narrative that your facts and figures are telling you and highlight it. Using customer feedback, for example, alongside market research, gives the presentation a more personal edge, making it more engaging.

06 Begin with the business need

A business case should address a business problem. To convince a stakeholder or investor, invoke the problem to refocus the audience on your solution.

07 Make it interactive

Make your presentation interesting and brief. Use your time to focus on slides that serve your overall objectives and create a dialogue with the audience. The more involved the audience is, the more invested they will be in your argument and business case.

08 Rehearse your presentation

Practice, practice, practice. Once you’ve created your presentation, begin rehearsing what you want to say. Make note of all the ideas you need to mention and create an outline you want to follow. That way, when the day comes to present, you can cover all the key points you want to address without straying or losing the plot.

09 Follow up

Not everyone will get the chance to ask you questions after you present, so follow up individually to make sure investors can have the opportunity to voice their concerns to you personally and privately.

Putting together a business case presentation requires both data and creativity. You need all the hard facts to support your initiative and a creative mindset that helps you share them. Investors are interested in what you bring to the table, so make it worth their time.

Recommended for you..

12 March 2024

Persuasive storytelling for consulting presentations

02 July 2024

Google’s brand strategy, explained

17 April 2024

Mastering McKinsey presentation storytelling

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Graphic Design Visual Presentation: Tips, Types and Examples

Visual Presentation: Tips, Types and Examples

Written by: Krystle Wong Sep 28, 2023

So, you’re gearing up for that big presentation and you want it to be more than just another snooze-fest with slides. You want it to be engaging, memorable and downright impressive. 

Well, you’ve come to the right place — I’ve got some slick tips on how to create a visual presentation that’ll take your presentation game up a notch. 

Packed with presentation templates that are easily customizable, keep reading this blog post to learn the secret sauce behind crafting presentations that captivate, inform and remain etched in the memory of your audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a visual presentation

15 effective tips to make your visual presentations more engaging, 6 major types of visual presentation you should know , what are some common mistakes to avoid in visual presentations, visual presentation faqs, 5 steps to create a visual presentation with venngage.

A visual presentation is a communication method that utilizes visual elements such as images, graphics, charts, slides and other visual aids to convey information, ideas or messages to an audience. 

Visual presentations aim to enhance comprehension engagement and the overall impact of the message through the strategic use of visuals. People remember what they see, making your point last longer in their heads. 

Without further ado, let’s jump right into some great visual presentation examples that would do a great job in keeping your audience interested and getting your point across.

In today’s fast-paced world, where information is constantly bombarding our senses, creating engaging visual presentations has never been more crucial. To help you design a presentation that’ll leave a lasting impression, I’ve compiled these examples of visual presentations that will elevate your game.

1. Use the rule of thirds for layout

Ever heard of the rule of thirds? It’s a presentation layout trick that can instantly up your slide game. Imagine dividing your slide into a 3×3 grid and then placing your text and visuals at the intersection points or along the lines. This simple tweak creates a balanced and seriously pleasing layout that’ll draw everyone’s eyes.

2. Get creative with visual metaphors

Got a complex idea to explain? Skip the jargon and use visual metaphors. Throw in images that symbolize your point – for example, using a road map to show your journey towards a goal or using metaphors to represent answer choices or progress indicators in an interactive quiz or poll.

3. Engage with storytelling through data

Use storytelling magic to bring your data to life. Don’t just throw numbers at your audience—explain what they mean, why they matter and add a bit of human touch. Turn those stats into relatable tales and watch your audience’s eyes light up with understanding.

4. Visualize your data with charts and graphs

The right data visualization tools not only make content more appealing but also aid comprehension and retention. Choosing the right visual presentation for your data is all about finding a good match. 

For ordinal data, where things have a clear order, consider using ordered bar charts or dot plots. When it comes to nominal data, where categories are on an equal footing, stick with the classics like bar charts, pie charts or simple frequency tables. And for interval-ratio data, where there’s a meaningful order, go for histograms, line graphs, scatterplots or box plots to help your data shine.

In an increasingly visual world, effective visual communication is a valuable skill for conveying messages. Here’s a guide on how to use visual communication to engage your audience while avoiding information overload.

5. Employ the power of contrast

Want your important stuff to pop? That’s where contrast comes in. Mix things up with contrasting colors, fonts or shapes. It’s like highlighting your key points with a neon marker – an instant attention grabber.

6. End with a powerful visual punch

Your presentation closing should be a showstopper. Think a stunning clip art that wraps up your message with a visual bow, a killer quote that lingers in minds or a call to action that gets hearts racing.

7. Tell a visual story

Structure your slides like a storybook and create a visual narrative by arranging your slides in a way that tells a story. Each slide should flow into the next, creating a visual narrative that keeps your audience hooked till the very end.

Icons and images are essential for adding visual appeal and clarity to your presentation. Venngage provides a vast library of icons and images, allowing you to choose visuals that resonate with your audience and complement your message. 

8. Show the “before and after” magic

Want to drive home the impact of your message or solution? Whip out the “before and after” technique. Show the current state (before) and the desired state (after) in a visual way. It’s like showing a makeover transformation, but for your ideas.

9. Add fun with visual quizzes and polls

To break the monotony and see if your audience is still with you, throw in some quick image quizzes or polls. It’s like a mini-game break in your presentation — your audience gets involved and it makes your presentation way more dynamic and memorable.

10. Use visuals wisely

Your visuals are the secret sauce of a great presentation. Cherry-pick high-quality images, graphics, charts and videos that not only look good but also align with your message’s vibe. Each visual should have a purpose – they’re not just there for decoration. 

11. Utilize visual hierarchy

Employ design principles like contrast, alignment and proximity to make your key info stand out. Play around with fonts, colors and placement to make sure your audience can’t miss the important stuff.

12. Engage with multimedia

Static slides are so last year. Give your presentation some sizzle by tossing in multimedia elements. Think short video clips, animations, or a touch of sound when it makes sense, including an animated logo .

For those dealing with multilingual audiences, consider the use of an AI image translator to seamlessly convert text within images to various languages, enhancing accessibility and understanding. There are tons of video and clip creator tools like HubSpot or Adobe But remember, these are sidekicks, not the main act, so use them smartly.

13. Interact with your audience

Turn your presentation into a two-way street. Start your presentation by encouraging your audience to join in with thought-provoking questions, quick polls or using interactive tools. Get them chatting and watch your presentation come alive.

When it comes to delivering a group presentation, it’s important to have everyone on the team on the same page. Venngage’s real-time collaboration tools enable you and your team to work together seamlessly, regardless of geographical locations. Collaborators can provide input, make edits and offer suggestions in real time. 

14. Incorporate stories and examples

Weave in relatable stories, personal anecdotes or real-life examples to illustrate your points. It’s like adding a dash of spice to your content – it becomes more memorable and relatable.

15. Nail that delivery

Don’t just stand there and recite facts like a robot — be a confident and engaging presenter. Lock eyes with your audience, mix up your tone and pace and use some gestures to drive your points home. Practice and brush up your presentation skills until you’ve got it down pat for a persuasive presentation that flows like a pro.

Venngage offers a wide selection of professionally designed presentation templates, each tailored for different purposes and styles. By choosing a template that aligns with your content and goals, you can create a visually cohesive and polished presentation that captivates your audience.

Looking for more presentation ideas ? Why not try using a presentation software that will take your presentations to the next level with a combination of user-friendly interfaces, stunning visuals, collaboration features and innovative functionalities that will take your presentations to the next level. 

Visual presentations come in various formats, each uniquely suited to convey information and engage audiences effectively. Here are six major types of visual presentations that you should be familiar with:

1. Slideshows or PowerPoint presentations

Slideshows are one of the most common forms of visual presentations. They typically consist of a series of slides containing text, images, charts, graphs and other visual elements. Slideshows are used for various purposes, including business presentations, educational lectures and conference talks.

2. Infographics

Infographics are visual representations of information, data or knowledge. They combine text, images and graphics to convey complex concepts or data in a concise and visually appealing manner. Infographics are often used in marketing, reporting and educational materials.

Don’t worry, they are also super easy to create thanks to Venngage’s fully customizable infographics templates that are professionally designed to bring your information to life. Be sure to try it out for your next visual presentation!

3. Video presentation

Videos are your dynamic storytellers. Whether it’s pre-recorded or happening in real-time, videos are the showstoppers. You can have interviews, demos, animations or even your own mini-documentary. Video presentations are highly engaging and can be shared in both in-person and virtual presentations .

4. Charts and graphs

Charts and graphs are visual representations of data that make it easier to understand and analyze numerical information. Common types include bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and scatterplots. They are commonly used in scientific research, business reports and academic presentations.

Effective data visualizations are crucial for simplifying complex information and Venngage has got you covered. Venngage’s chart templates enable you to create engaging charts, graphs,and infographics that enhance audience understanding and retention, leaving a lasting impression in your presentation.

5. Interactive presentations

Interactive presentations involve audience participation and engagement. These can include interactive polls, quizzes, games and multimedia elements that allow the audience to actively participate in the presentation. Interactive presentations are often used in workshops, training sessions and webinars.

Venngage’s interactive presentation tools enable you to create immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact and enhance audience retention. By incorporating features like clickable elements, quizzes and embedded multimedia, you can captivate your audience’s attention and encourage active participation.

6. Poster presentations

Poster presentations are the stars of the academic and research scene. They consist of a large poster that includes text, images and graphics to communicate research findings or project details and are usually used at conferences and exhibitions. For more poster ideas, browse through Venngage’s gallery of poster templates to inspire your next presentation.

Different visual presentations aside, different presentation methods also serve a unique purpose, tailored to specific objectives and audiences. Find out which type of presentation works best for the message you are sending across to better capture attention, maintain interest and leave a lasting impression. 

To make a good presentation , it’s crucial to be aware of common mistakes and how to avoid them. Without further ado, let’s explore some of these pitfalls along with valuable insights on how to sidestep them.

Overloading slides with text

Text heavy slides can be like trying to swallow a whole sandwich in one bite – overwhelming and unappetizing. Instead, opt for concise sentences and bullet points to keep your slides simple. Visuals can help convey your message in a more engaging way.

Using low-quality visuals

Grainy images and pixelated charts are the equivalent of a scratchy vinyl record at a DJ party. High-resolution visuals are your ticket to professionalism. Ensure that the images, charts and graphics you use are clear, relevant and sharp.

Choosing the right visuals for presentations is important. To find great visuals for your visual presentation, Browse Venngage’s extensive library of high-quality stock photos. These images can help you convey your message effectively, evoke emotions and create a visually pleasing narrative. 

Ignoring design consistency

Imagine a book with every chapter in a different font and color – it’s a visual mess. Consistency in fonts, colors and formatting throughout your presentation is key to a polished and professional look.

Reading directly from slides

Reading your slides word-for-word is like inviting your audience to a one-person audiobook session. Slides should complement your speech, not replace it. Use them as visual aids, offering key points and visuals to support your narrative.

Lack of visual hierarchy

Neglecting visual hierarchy is like trying to find Waldo in a crowd of clones. Coupling this with video transcription can make your presentation more comprehensive and engaging. Use size, color and positioning to emphasize what’s most important. Guide your audience’s attention to key points so they don’t miss the forest for the trees.

Ignoring accessibility

Accessibility isn’t an option these days; it’s a must. Forgetting alt text for images, color contrast and closed captions for videos can exclude individuals with disabilities from understanding your presentation. 

Relying too heavily on animation

While animations can add pizzazz and draw attention, overdoing it can overshadow your message. Use animations sparingly and with purpose to enhance, not detract from your content.

Using jargon and complex language

Keep it simple. Use plain language and explain terms when needed. You want your message to resonate, not leave people scratching their heads.

Not testing interactive elements

Interactive elements can be the life of your whole presentation, but not testing them beforehand is like jumping into a pool without checking if there’s water. Ensure that all interactive features, from live polls to multimedia content, work seamlessly. A smooth experience keeps your audience engaged and avoids those awkward technical hiccups.

Presenting complex data and information in a clear and visually appealing way has never been easier with Venngage. Build professional-looking designs with our free visual chart slide templates for your next presentation.

What is a visual presentation?

A visual presentation is a method of presenting information through visual aids such as slides, images, charts and videos. It enhances understanding and retention by illustrating key points and data visually. Visual presentations are commonly used in meetings, lectures, and conferences to engage and inform the audience effectively.

What is the role of storytelling in visual presentations?

Storytelling plays a crucial role in visual presentations by providing a narrative structure that engages the audience, helps them relate to the content and makes the information more memorable.

What software or tools can I use to create visual presentations?

You can use various software and tools to create visual presentations, including Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Prezi and Venngage, among others.

What is the difference between a visual presentation and a written report?

The main difference between a visual presentation and a written report is the medium of communication. Visual presentations rely on visuals, such as slides, charts and images to convey information quickly, while written reports use text to provide detailed information in a linear format.

How do I effectively communicate data through visual presentations?

To effectively communicate data through visual presentations, simplify complex data into easily digestible charts and graphs, use clear labels and titles and ensure that your visuals support the key messages you want to convey.

Are there any accessibility considerations for visual presentations?

Accessibility considerations for visual presentations include providing alt text for images, ensuring good color contrast, using readable fonts and providing transcripts or captions for multimedia content to make the presentation inclusive.

Most design tools today make accessibility hard but Venngage’s Accessibility Design Tool comes with accessibility features baked in, including accessible-friendly and inclusive icons.

How do I choose the right visuals for my presentation?

Choose visuals that align with your content and message. Use charts for data, images for illustrating concepts, icons for emphasis and color to evoke emotions or convey themes.

How can I adapt my visual presentations for online or virtual audiences?

To adapt visual presentations for online or virtual audiences, focus on concise content, use engaging visuals, ensure clear audio, encourage audience interaction through chat or polls and rehearse for a smooth online delivery.

What is the role of data visualization in visual presentations?

Data visualization in visual presentations simplifies complex data by using charts, graphs and diagrams, making it easier for the audience to understand and interpret information.

How do I choose the right color scheme and fonts for my visual presentation?

Choose a color scheme that aligns with your content and brand and select fonts that are readable and appropriate for the message you want to convey.

How can I measure the effectiveness of my visual presentation?

Measure the effectiveness of your visual presentation by collecting feedback from the audience, tracking engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for online presentations) and evaluating whether the presentation achieved its intended objectives.

Follow the 5 simple steps below to make your entire presentation visually appealing and impactful:

1. Sign up and log In: Log in to your Venngage account or sign up for free and gain access to Venngage’s templates and design tools.

2. Choose a template: Browse through Venngage’s presentation template library and select one that best suits your presentation’s purpose and style. Venngage offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different types of visual presentations, including infographics, reports, posters and more.

3. Edit and customize your template: Replace the placeholder text, image and graphics with your own content and customize the colors, fonts and visual elements to align with your presentation’s theme or your organization’s branding.

4. Add visual elements: Venngage offers a wide range of visual elements, such as icons, illustrations, charts, graphs and images, that you can easily add to your presentation with the user-friendly drag-and-drop editor.

5. Save and export your presentation: Export your presentation in a format that suits your needs and then share it with your audience via email, social media or by embedding it on your website or blog .

So, as you gear up for your next presentation, whether it’s for business, education or pure creative expression, don’t forget to keep these visual presentation ideas in your back pocket.

Feel free to experiment and fine-tune your approach and let your passion and expertise shine through in your presentation. With practice, you’ll not only build presentations but also leave a lasting impact on your audience – one slide at a time.

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

How to Present to Different Types of Audiences

If you have ever had to deliver a PowerPoint presentation in front of a group of people, you’ll know the importance of catering to your audience.

This can be difficult to do when you have no way of predicting how your audience will respond to you, so we’ve narrowed down the types of audiences you may come across and how you can prepare for each one.

Knowing how to approach different audiences is an important skill to develop as you plan your presentation. When you come across an unsympathetic group, being confident, charismatic, and knowledgeable is not always enough.

Knowing how to adapt to any type of audience will allow you to plan your presentation strategically so that no matter who you are presenting to, your delivery is powerful and effective.

Groups of people generally fit into four types of audiences , each with their own set of presentation tips—bear these in mind for the next time you present so you can keep your audience engaged.

Presentation tips for friendly audiences

When you prepare for a presentation, the hope is that your audience will be a friendly one.

This type of audience will be agreeable and receptive to your presentation. Whether they agree with your content or not, they will remain friendly, conversational, and engaged.

Don’t get too comfortable

It is easy to get too comfortable in front of a friendly audience and soften your delivery. When you become too relaxed, you increase your chances of leaving out key details, which negatively affects the overall value you project through the presentation.

Just because your audience is friendly does not mean they are already sold on your ideas. Be careful not to soften the delivery of what would otherwise be a strong presentation.

When a friendly audience shows interest in your presentation, use this to your advantage. Don’t downplay the importance of your message—instead leverage their interest in a way that encourages them to further invest in your mission and take action.

Presentation tips for apathetic audiences

An apathetic audience shows no interest in what you’re presenting. They feel no connection, they show no enthusiasm or concern, and they are indifferent to what you have to say.

Get to know your audience

The first step to working with an apathetic audience is understanding why they are uninterested. Have you connected the material to something they are involved in? Are you talking about things that are relevant to them?

You may be presenting with the wrong approach. Certain presentation styles may not be effective for every audience—this is why it is important to get to know who you’re presenting to beforehand.

Consider who will be attending your presentation and how you can tailor it to meet their needs. For instance, if you’re giving a sales pitch to the president of a company, clearly draw the connection between what you are selling and how it will benefit them. This will increase your chances of holding the audience’s attention, which will help you feel more confident as you deliver your presentation.

Give your audience time

For some audiences, you simply need to power through your presentation until they reach a point of understanding. Even when your presentation is well thought-out and detailed, it may just take the audience some time to buy in to what you are trying to pitch.

Use enticing visuals

Strong visuals are an effective way to win over an apathetic audience. Images, videos, and other visual elements can go a long way in creating a presentation that is stimulating and appealing. Take a look at some of our previous work for a few examples.

A well-designed PowerPoint presentation increases your level of professionalism and makes you more authoritative in the eyes of the audience. It is important to engage your audience as much as possible when dealing with apathetic listeners, so telling a great story and using powerful visuals is a great place to start. Take a look at our article on audience engagement for more ideas.

Presentation tips for uninformed audiences

An uninformed audience is one that does not share the same set of knowledge as the presenter. Being able to educate an audience before proposing an idea or solution can lead to a very enjoyable presentation for you and your audience. When it is clear that you have new and valuable information to share, they will be interested and engaged right from the opening lines.

The goal with many PowerPoint presentations is to lay everything out in a way that is easy to understand. This is especially true when presenting to an uninformed audience—you are the expert in the room for as long as you are on the stage. That expertise should be evident in the content and delivery of your presentation so that your audience feels they are learning something new and valuable.

Provide as much information as necessary

It’s important to cover as much information as you can in your presentation, without making too many assumptions about what your audience knows—some people will have no prior knowledge, and others may have only a vague familiarity. If you are preparing to present to an uninformed audience, provide as much information as is necessary to get everyone on the same page before diving into further detail.

Incorporate visuals into your speech

If the length of your presentation feels too long—for example, if you find yourself needing to add more of the backstory to provide more context—using visuals is a good way to move things along. It will save you some talking time and your audience will appreciate the break from listening or reading for extended periods of time.

By including everything that your audience will need to know in your presentation, you should have no problem showing how knowledgeable you are. It’s a good way to showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a thought leader to the audience before diving into the actionable parts of the presentation.

Use anecdotes for additional context

Don’t hesitate to talk about your personal experience. Anecdotes will help clarify how the information can be applied in a real-life context.

After your audience is informed, you’ll be able to tell them the reason you are there and why what you are pitching is so important. Make sure they have all of the information they need to take the next steps with you.

Presentation tips for hostile audiences

A hostile audience is one that actively resists your efforts to get them on your side. They may argue or interrupt, and the tension between you and them can easily escalate if it is not managed effectively.

There will be many different reasons behind why an audience is contentious, but audiences often become hostile when a presenter ignores one or more of the following considerations:

• The audience wants to be listened to, not lectured.
• The audience wants something new and different.
• The audience wants to be respected.
• The audience feels like this is not a valuable use of their time.

Many presenters find themselves getting overwhelmed when dealing with a hostile audience because they neglect one or more of these key considerations. There are a few things you can do to win over a hostile audience.

Respect your audience

Taking into account the traits mentioned above, be sure to:

• Listen to your audience, their opinions, and their concerns.
• Give the audience some new information that directly relates to them.
• Respect your audience, their work, and their viewpoint.
• Respect your audience’s time and spend it wisely.

Provide real-life context for your presentation

Managing a hostile audience often means being patient and proactive. Provide as much context as possible so that your audience can see how your presentation can be applied to real-life situations. An audience’s hostility can often stem from the fact that they are not seeing how your presentation benefits or makes a difference in their work or personal lives. The more you understand your audience, the better you will be at tailoring your presentation to their needs.

Be objective and respectful

Keep your presentation as objective as possible to leave out any ambiguity. Use clear statistics and data to show that you have done your research. Numbers don’t lie!

When conflicts arise, face them head on and respectfully acknowledge your audience’s concerns. Be sure to explore both the strengths and weaknesses of each argument. Be confident in your own point of view but be willing to compromise and listen to what areas your audience disagrees with.

Finally, don’t exaggerate or undersell a point. No audience wants to feel like they are being misled. Be objective and provide research and evidence to support the points you want to make.

An important part of presenting to a hostile audience is to have them respect you. It is a fine balance between showing the audience how knowledgeable you are as a professional and respecting the knowledge that they already have. You never want to make your audience feel as though you are speaking down to them. Most people will appreciate a presenter who simply delivers a high-quality presentation that offers valuable food for thought.

How to identify what type of audience you have

Now that you know the four different types of audiences, you will be able to quickly pick up on who your audience is in the first few minutes of your presentation.

As a presenter, you will always hope for an uninformed or friendly audience, but it is important to prepare for an apathetic or hostile one.

Before you begin your presentation, do some research on your audience to learn all you can about them.

6 questions to learn more about your audience

By asking yourself a few questions and going over them with a few other people, you will get a better idea of what your audience will be like and how you can prepare your presentation. This will increase your chances of winning them over when the time comes.

How do they like to receive information?

• Would they like a printed document to follow along with?
• What room setup might work best—boardroom, classroom, U-shaped, etc.?
• Is your presentation accessible and available in different formats? (Tip: Read our ultimate guide to accessible presentation design to learn about this.)

What will be the biggest obstacle?

• What points may be controversial? Is there anything you can do to minimize tension between you and your audience?
• How can you effectively get your message across? What are your key points to discuss?

How does your audience fit into your plan?

• What do you want from your audience and how can you get it?
• What is the ideal outcome from the presentation?
• What information do you want your audience to take away from your presentation?

What problems does your audience have that you can solve?

• How does your presentation affect your audience?
• Outline the process, the outcome, and where you fit in to the solution.

How can you show your audience you understand?

• Every company has a fear or a problem—how can you show them you understand, and that you empathize with them?
• Beyond stating that you understand, what actionable steps can you take to ensure your empathy is received and makes a tangible difference to your audience?

What type of people are they?

• What does an average day look like for your audience?
• What role do they have in their organization? Are they data analysts providing information, or are they key decision makers?

Define a clear call to action

The success of a presentation largely depends on a strong call to action (CTA) at the end.

You can deliver an excellent presentation, but if you don’t leave your audience with an actionable next step, it might not have the outcome you want.

A great CTA should come right before the end of a presentation—it’s what you want your audience to do or think about once the presentation has ended. Even a friendly audience needs to know how you need them to proceed when they walk out of your presentation.

Here are some general guidelines to follow when crafting your CTA.

Be clear and direct

Don’t leave your audience trying to guess what it is you want them to do. Make it clear what the next steps are and how they can be achieved.

Encourage your audience to act quickly

Your audience should be prompted to take action immediately after your presentation, or by a certain deadline. Giving them too much time to think it over can cause them to lose interest or simply forget what it was they were asked to do. Even if they don’t fully commit right away, consider asking them to do something that shows interest, such as signing up for a newsletter.

Lower any barriers to action

Be aware of what might hinder people from taking action—for instance, prices might be too high or there may be too many steps to get to the final goal. Offer incentives or minimize these barriers so that your audience is more motivated to take action. Consider seminar-specific discounts or some other exclusive value to those who choose to move forward with you—do what you can to show your audience that not only are you valuable to them, but they are also very valuable to you.

Focus on benefits for your audience

While your overall goal may be to accomplish something for yourself or on behalf of your company, you want to make sure your CTA highlights some type of benefit for those who do choose to participate. Make sure they know how your presentation can positively affect what they do or how it improves on what they already have.

Customize your CTA for each role

Once again, we stress the importance of knowing your audience . Perhaps you are presenting to CEOs and presidents of companies who will influence the decisions of those they work with. You might be presenting to a sales team who is concerned with how cost effective your product or service is. Maybe you are presenting to a group of people who are all at different levels within a company. In any case, you want to point out how your pitch can make a difference at every level.

People in leadership roles will be interested in the efficiency of your product. They want to stay a step ahead of competitors and be the first people to take action.

Sales representatives will want to know that they are getting great value for what they pay, so speak to them about how you can impact the pricing, effectiveness, and process efficiency. Highlight how the benefits are equal to or greater than the cost of the product or service you are pitching.

Presenting in front of any audience can be nerve-racking. These tips will help you prepare for the unexpected and feel comfortable in front of any group.

With a friendly audience , you have the ability to relax and let go of some of the pressure that comes with delivering a presentation. Just remember to stay focused on the task at hand and not let your comfort level distract you from delivering a strong presentation.

Apathetic audiences often struggle to find relevance within a presentation. Be sure to find a subject you can connect with them on so that they know you have valuable information to share.

With an uninformed audience , it is important to demonstrate your expertise while still respecting the knowledge your audience already has.

In the case of presenting to a hostile audience , work on being as objective as possible with the information you are sharing. Be understanding of why your audience might be upset, and respect differences of opinion.

The goal is to have your audience leave with the call to action ringing in their heads so that they are motivated to take action. In order to get them there, you will need to take into account the types of individuals they are, the type of audience they are, and how to lead them so they are ready to take action when you finish.

As long as you do some research on who your audience will be, there will be fewer surprises on the day of your presentation.

We’d love to hear about your project.

Complete the form below and one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

• Case Report
• Open access
• Published: 10 September 2024

Further insights into anti-IgLON5 disease: a case with complex clinical presentation

• Simone Pierro 1   na1 ,
• Federico Verde 2 , 3   na1 ,
• Alessio Maranzano 2 ,
• Anna De Gobbi 2 ,
• Eleonora Colombo 2 ,
• Alberto Doretti 2 ,
• Stefano Messina 2 ,
• Luca Maderna 2 ,
• Antonia Ratti 2 , 4 ,
• Floriano Girotti 2 ,
• Francesca Andreetta 5 ,
• Vincenzo Silani 2 , 3 ,
• Claudia Morelli 2 &
• Nicola Ticozzi 2 , 3  

BMC Neurology volume  24 , Article number:  334 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

117 Accesses

Metrics details

Anti-IgLON5 disease is an autoimmune encephalitis overlapping with neurodegenerative disorders due to pathological accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. It is characterized by several clinical manifestations determined by involvement of different brain areas, and mild response to first-line immunotherapies. We report a case of anti-IgLON5 disease with a multifaceted semiology and an unusually good response to glucocorticoid monotherapy.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old man with type 2 diabetes was evaluated for an 8-month history of progressive gait disorder causing frequent falls. He also suffered from obstructive sleep apneas and complained of dysphonia, dysarthria, occasional dysphagia, urinary incontinence, and upper limb action tremor. Neurological examination demonstrated bilateral eyelid ptosis, limitation of ocular horizontal smooth pursuit movements, slow horizontal saccades, and lack of inhibition of the vestibulo-ocular reflex during rapid horizontal head torsions. The patient also displayed involuntary, slow, rhythmic movements of the left periorbital and perioral muscles, spreading to the ipsilateral hemipalate and hemitongue, along with bilateral negative upper limb myoclonus. There were proximal muscle wasting in the upper limbs, proximal weakness of the four limbs, and diffuse fasciculations. Ataxia of stance and gait and of the four limbs was noted. MRI of the brain and spine was unremarkable; nerve conduction studies revealed a chronic, predominantly demyelinating, sensory-motor polyneuropathy, probably due to diabetes. Routine CSF examination was unrevealing and serum GFAP level was 89.6 pg/mL; however, the autoimmunity tests revealed a high-titer positivity for anti-IgLON5 autoantibodies in both CSF and serum, leading to the diagnosis of anti-IgLON5 disease. Symptoms improved significantly after intravenous methylprednisolone.

Conclusions

Hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia along with peculiar oculomotor abnormalities characterizes the multifaceted clinical picture of our case. The complex semiology of our patient may reflect multifocal targeting of the autoimmune process or sequential spreading of tau inclusions in different brain areas. Our patient’s optimal response to glucocorticoid monotherapy could be underpinned by a slightly different phenotype in which autoimmunity plays a greater pathogenic role than tauopathy, with a lower burden of tau deposition. In such patients, neurodegeneration and tau accumulation could be merely secondary to immune-mediated neuronal dysfunction, supporting the existence of a group of glucocorticoid-responsive patients.

Peer Review reports

Autoimmune encephalitides are a group of inflammatory brain disorders characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against neuronal cell-surface proteins or intracellular antigens. Their annual cumulative incidence is about 3 to 9 cases per 1,000,000 persons, but a high rate of misdiagnosis has been described, highlighting the importance of fulfilling the recently developed diagnostic criteria for autoimmune encephalitides [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].

Among them is anti-IgLON5 disease, whose hallmarks are the homonymous antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum [ 4 ]. Patients with anti-IgLON5 encephalitis usually have a complex neurological clinical picture which does not respond to first-line immunotherapy such as glucocorticoid monotherapy or intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), but requires treatment with second-line or even third-line combination immunotherapies, leading to only slight improvement of symptoms.

We report the case of a patient affected by anti-IgLON5 disease with a multifaceted semiology at the first evaluation, characterized by ataxia, oculomotor abnormalities, and an unusual hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia. The patient’s symptoms responded promptly to glucocorticoid monotherapy.

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our Neurology Department, with an 8-month history of gradually progressive gait disorder, resulting in frequent backward falls (at the time of evaluation about three per week). The patient also complained of hypophonia, dysphonia, mild dysarthria, occasional dysphagia, and urinary urge incontinence. He reported action tremor of the upper limbs for one month. The patient denied experiencing dizziness, strength or sensory deficits, or other neurovegetative disturbances. Furthermore, he reported vivid and unpleasant dreams. Upon inquiry with his wife, we discovered that these dreams had been frequent over the last year, and he had been acting them out.

With regards to his previous medical history, he had type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). He had also developed severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) nearly 18 months before the onset of the gait disorder; thus, he was referred to a pneumologist who prescribed nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. The patient had no family history of neurological disorders.

On neurological examination, he was oriented to time and place and able to recall autobiographical memories. His speech was hypophonic, dysphonic, and slightly dysarthric, but without any aphasic features. He exhibited bilateral eyelid ptosis, bilateral limitation of ocular horizontal smooth pursuit movements, and increased latency and decreased velocity of the horizontal saccades (Video 1 ). Additionally, his vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was not inhibited during rapid horizontal head movements, whereas he had neither diplopia nor nystagmus. Notably, he displayed involuntary, slow ( ∼ 1-Hz), rhythmic, continuous movements of the left periorbital and perioral muscles, spreading to the ipsilateral hemipalate and hemitongue (Video 2 ). While the palatal component resembled palatal myoclonus, the whole pattern of movements of the cranial segment was consistent with hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia [ 5 ]. Furthermore, bilateral negative myoclonus of the upper limbs was observed (Video 3 ), with moderate bilateral proximal muscle wasting in the upper limbs, affecting the deltoid, pectoralis major , and biceps brachii muscles. Muscle strength testing revealed mild symmetrical proximal weakness of the four limbs (Medical Research Council (MRC) grade: deltoids and iliopsoas 4 bilaterally) with diffuse fasciculations in all extremities. Deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) in the upper limbs were normal, as was the right patellar reflex, while the left patellar and both ankle reflexes were absent. Cutaneous plantar responses were flexor bilaterally. Ataxia of the trunk and of the four limbs was noted (Video 4 ), along with bilateral upper-limb action tremor, marked unsteadiness, a wide-based gait, and a high risk of backward falls; symptoms did not worsen with eye closure. Lastly, vibration sense was moderately reduced at the ankles.

Routine blood chemistries revealed no significant abnormalities, and serum VDRL was negative. Neuropsychological testing demonstrated amnestic multi-domain mild cognitive impairment (aMCImd). The patient underwent contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain and whole spine, which only displayed multiple disc protrusions and lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-L5 level. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed a background alpha rhythm without epileptiform activity. Needle electromyography (EMG) of the four limbs and bulbar segment suggested a chronic, predominantly demyelinating, sensorimotor polyneuropathy, with greater expression in the lower extremities. Finally, he also underwent polysomnography (PSG), which showed mildly elevated indices of apnea-hypopnea and oxygen desaturation.

Considering the rapid worsening of the symptoms (8-month history) and the multisystemic neurological involvement, we first hypothesized an autoimmune encephalitis, possibly of paraneoplastic origin, in view of the patient’s age. Therefore, the patient underwent a whole-body contrast-enhanced CT scan, which only revealed a small parenchymal nodule in the lower lobe of the right lung, with apparent inflammatory features. Consequently, we initiated oral antibiotics (amoxicillin clavulanate 875/125 mg every 8 h for 10 days plus azithromycin 500 mg per day for 3 days). On repeat chest CT scan one month later, regression of the nodule was noted, leading us to conclude that it was infectious in origin.

In the subsequent days, a lumbar puncture was performed to identify autoantibodies associated with autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitides; cell count, glucose and protein concentrations were within the normal range. As for CSF neurodegeneration biomarkers, Aβ42 was in the lower normal range (621 pg/mL; reference values, > 599 pg/mL), while the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio was normal (0.099; reference values, > 0.069), as well as P-tau181 (21.7 pg/mL; reference values, < 56.5 pg/mL) and total tau (T-tau; 188 pg/mL; reference values, < 404 pg/mL). The autoimmunity tests (performed with a cell-based assay, CBA) revealed a high-titer positivity for anti-IgLON5 autoantibodies in both CSF and serum, leading to a diagnosis of anti-IgLON5 disease. Finally, the serum concentration of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), quantified by single-molecule array (Simoa) technology, was 89.6 pg/mL. A summary of the patient’s clinical features and CSF and instrumental findings is provided in Tables  1 and 2 , respectively.

Given the autoantibody finding, we started therapy with IV methylprednisolone (1000 mg daily for 5 days). At the conclusion of treatment, which had been well tolerated, we noted a significant improvement of stance, gait and limb ataxia. The patient reported only one fall in the subsequent two months: the marked decrease in frequency of falls significantly ameliorated his quality of life. Moreover, there was an increase in voice volume. Lastly, all the oculomotor abnormalities had slightly improved in both speed and amplitude. The other neurological symptoms and signs remained unchanged.

Discussion and conclusions

Anti-IgLON5 disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, the most common being sleep disorder, bulbar symptoms, gait disturbance, oculomotor abnormalities, and cognitive impairment [ 6 ]. Our patient had a multifaceted clinical picture. Indeed, hypophonia, dysphonia, dysarthria and dysphagia suggest bulbar impairment. However, other structures of the brainstem should also be considered in this case, given the presence of slow horizontal saccades, impairment of horizontal smooth pursuit, and lack of inhibition of horizontal VOR. These findings could indicate a lesion of the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) and the vestibular nuclei bilaterally. The anatomical substrate of hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia is ill-defined: it might be due to dysfunction of subcortical structures such as the Guillain-Mollaret triangle (similarly to palatal myoclonus) and/or disinhibition of other brainstem circuits [ 5 , 7 ]. Ataxia that does not worsen with eye closure and is accompanied by action tremor suggests involvement of cerebellar circuits. Proximal upper-limb wasting, weakness, and diffuse fasciculations could be attributed either to peripheral neuropathy or to lower motor neuron impairment. The concurrent reduction in lower-limb vibration sense may be explained by an underlying polyneuropathy, in turn secondary to diabetes. Furthermore, urinary urgency could be attributed to dysautonomia related to IgLON5 disease rather than to BPH, considering its recent development over the last few months and its temporal association with other neurological symptoms. Finally, our patient’s vivid dreams could reflect rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

It is worth noting that the patient had been diagnosed with OSAS and started CPAP 18 months before the onset of the gait disorder. Indeed, approximately 68% of patients with anti-IgLON5 disease exhibit a sleep disorder with parasomnia and sleep breathing difficulty at their initial evaluation, with most eventually developing it, as observed in our patient, who also reported vivid dreams [ 6 ]. This strengthens our hypothesis that his sleep disorder with OSAs may not have been unrelated, but rather likely represented the first manifestation of anti-IgLON5 disease. Indeed, it is not uncommon for patients with this disorder to develop OSAS before other neurological symptoms manifest [ 5 , 8 ].

Although many of our patient’s symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, followed by gait impairment, ataxia, oculomotor disturbances, dysautonomia and MCI may be seen in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and multi-infarct dementia, there are some red flags that prompted us to look for an autoimmune disorder. Considering the diagnostic criteria for autoimmune encephalitides developed by Graus and coworkers, our patient met the criteria for a possible autoimmune encephalitis, according to which further investigations should be done to reach higher levels of diagnostic accuracy [ 1 ]. Indeed, our patient had a subacute onset of working memory deficits (highlighted by neuropsychological testing), new focal CNS findings (especially brainstem and cerebellar signs), and reasonable exclusion of alternative causes. Beyond fulfilling these criteria, other important red flags for an autoimmune encephalitis were the rapid worsening of the symptoms and the multisystemic neurological involvement. Additionally, the patient’s age should raise suspicion for a paraneoplastic origin of the disorder. Moreover, the absence of midbrain atrophy or pontine signal alterations did not support the diagnoses of PSP and MSA, respectively; autonomic dysfunction is not typical of PSP, and the hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia is not described for PSP nor for MSA. Finally, our patient underwent a brain MRI, which did not show signs of previous subcortical ischemic infarctions, thus ruling out the hypothesis of multi-infarct dementia. All these considerations, along with the unremarkable instrumental findings except for antibody examinations, led us to hypothesize that the autoimmune disorder was the most probable diagnosis.

In view of the hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia, other differential diagnoses might have been taken into consideration, such as Whipple’s disease. In fact, although it is not properly the typical oculomasticatory myorhythmia (OMM), a virtually pathognomonic sign of CNS Whipple’s disease, orolingual myorhythmia has some features in common with OMM [ 9 ]. Moreover, Whipple’s disease could be hypothesized also due to the subacute onset and other neurological signs and symptoms, such as bilateral ptosis, oculomotor dysfunction (however, the most typical sign would be supranuclear vertical gaze palsy), and cognitive impairment [ 9 , 10 ]. Myorhythmia of facial and cranial muscles is also seen in the following conditions: cerebrovascular diseases (i.e. ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes of the brainstem, the Guillain-Mollaret triangle and the thalamus); autoimmune disorders such as anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis, encephalitis associated with celiac disease, Hashimoto’s encephalopathy; iatrogenic causes (e.g., phenytoin intoxication and chronic treatment with α-interferon 2a); and von Economo’s encephalitis lethargica. Moreover, hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia can be caused by every lesion in the aforementioned neural circuits, such as demyelinating plaques due to multiple sclerosis and cerebellar degeneration secondary to alcoholism [ 7 ]. Hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia also needs to be differentiated from other movement disorders, such as palatal myoclonus, facial myokymia, hemifacial spasm, tics and the so-called “rabbit syndrome”, all of which may be due to several underlying causes [ 7 ]. However, the finding of anti-IgLON5 autoantibodies in both CSF and serum, along with the negativity of anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies in both fluids, thyroid function tests within the normal range, and the absence of both iatrogenic causes and a history of alcoholism, led us to rule out these alternative hypotheses. Regarding CSF analysis, no inflammatory changes were observed, which was consistent with their relatively low prevalence (37%) reported in the literature [ 11 ]. P-tau levels were also normal; this finding was also in line with a previous investigation, despite the pathological accumulation of P-tau in this disease [ 11 ]. As regards serum GFAP concentration, higher values could have been expected, considering the slowly progressive disease onset (> 4 weeks) and the generalized phenotype [ 11 ]. However, the relatively low GFAP level (89.6 pg/mL) may be in agreement with our patient’s optimal response to glucocorticoid monotherapy, as further discussed below.

Furthermore, from a pathophysiological perspective, the known association between anti-IgLON5 disease and the presence of both HLA-DRB1*10:01 and HLA-DQB1*05:01 alleles highlight the importance of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of anti-IgLON5 disease [ 6 , 12 ]. However, it is well-known that its pathogenesis is not solely mediated by immune mechanisms: considering the autopsy study by Gelpi and coworkers on six patients affected by anti-IgLON5 disease, subcortical deposits of hyperphosphorylated tau are also observed, especially in the tegmental brainstem nuclei and the hypothalamus, but also in the hippocampus, reticular formation, vestibular nuclei, entorhinal cortex, cerebellar cortex, and dentate nucleus (part of the Guillain-Mollaret triangle), reflecting neurodegeneration and correlating well with the clinical manifestations of our patient [ 13 ]. Furthermore, in a more recent autopsy study, Berger-Sieczkowski and colleagues also investigated inflammatory markers in nine patients with anti-IgLON5 disease [ 14 ]. They found out a marked microglia activation in the tegmentum of the bulbar region, nucleus olivaris, and cerebellar cortex, with a specific and extensive deposition of IgG4 in the neuropil of the brainstem tegmentum, pontine base, olivary nucleus, hippocampus, and cerebellar cortex; however, there were only mild to moderate inflammatory infiltrates of T and B cells in the brainstem [ 14 ]. Accordingly, the complex semiology of our patient with symptoms appearing sequentially (chronologically: (1) OSAS; (2) RBD; (3) trunk and limb ataxia; (4) oculomotor abnormalities, bulbar symptoms such as dysphonia, hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia, urinary urge incontinence, and aMCImd) might reflect multifocal targeting of the autoimmune process or sequential spreading of tau inclusions to different brain areas, typical of neurodegenerative disorders – especially tauopathies [ 15 ]. In the literature it has not yet been defined which is the primary trigger of anti-IgLON5 disease, whether the autoimmune process or the tauopathy; consequently, some authors advocate that neuroinflammation precedes neurodegeneration, whereas others hypothesize that either the immunological response is only a secondary event or that, at least, tau deposition exacerbates the autoimmune process [ 4 , 6 , 13 ]. However, an experimental study has suggested that anti-IgLON5 autoantibodies determine neurodegeneration and cell death in human neurons, supporting their role as a primary trigger in the disease: indeed, in neurons derived from both human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), the content of P-tau was higher in cultures exposed to IgG from a patient with anti-IgLON5 antibodies [ 16 ]. There exist even cases of anti-IgLON5 disease without any neuropathologic evidence of brainstem tauopathy [ 17 ]. All these findings suggest that tau pathology might be a marker of the irreversible stage of the disease [ 18 ]. Accordingly, a higher burden of tau pathology may be one of the main reasons underlying the inadequate response of many patients with anti-IgLON5 disease to first-line immunotherapy, such as glucocorticoids, as reported in the literature. However, at variance from the common view, our patient’s condition improved remarkably with glucocorticoid monotherapy, suggesting that in certain patients it might be worth initiating first-line immunotherapies with lower systemic impact [ 4 ]. Cases who promptly respond to glucocorticoids might even represent a different form of the disease in which the inflammatory-autoimmune process plays a greater role than tauopathy in disease pathogenesis, with a lower burden and progression rate of tau deposition. Therefore, in these glucocorticoid-responsive patients, neurodegeneration and tau accumulation could be merely secondary to immune-mediated neuronal dysfunction [ 4 , 19 ]. Usually, patients with anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy have a poor prognosis, with a high mortality rate; in most patients, the causes of death include central hypoventilation, aspiration pneumonia due to dysphagia, and sometimes sudden death as a consequence of laryngospasm [ 4 ]. Furthermore, the work of Nissen and Blaabjerg showed that patients receiving no treatment or systemic corticosteroid monotherapy had a higher mortality than those who underwent combination therapies [ 20 ]. Nevertheless, this is not a rule, as our case demonstrates. The last follow-up of our patient was 33 days after the ending of the treatment, and he was neurologically stable, thus confirming a significant improvement of his symptoms, as previously described. Further studies, ideally randomized controlled trials (RCTs), will be required to investigate the biological underpinnings supporting the different therapeutic response in this group of patients with anti-IgLON5 disease.

Finally, our case underscores the significance of meticulously investigating a patient’s sleep history during medical interviews. More in general, given the multifaceted manifestations of anti-IgLON5 disease, we suggest maintaining a low threshold of diagnostic suspicion for this disease entity in the presence of a complex pattern of neurological disturbances.

Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

Amnestic multi-domain mild cognitive impairment

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Continuous positive airway pressure

Cerebrospinal fluid

Computed tomography

Deep tendon reflexes

Electroencephalography

Needle electromyography

Glial fibrillary acidic protein

Medical Research Council

Magnetic resonance imaging

Multiple system atrophy

N-methyl-D-aspartate

Obstructive sleep apnea

Paramedian pontine reticular formation

Polysomnography

Progressive supranuclear palsy

Phosphorylated tau (at residue 181)

REM sleep behavior disorder

Randomized controlled trial

Rapid eye movement

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

Graus F, Titulaer MJ, Balu R, Benseler S, Bien CG, Cellucci T, et al. A clinical approach to diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15:391–404.

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Flanagan EP, Geschwind MD, Lopez-Chiriboga AS, Blackburn KM, Turaga S, Binks S, et al. Autoimmune encephalitis misdiagnosis in adults. JAMA Neurol. 2023;80:30–9.

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Dalmau J, Graus F. Antibody-mediated encephalitis. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:840–51.

Madetko N, Marzec W, Kowalska A, Przewodowska D, Alster P, Koziorowski D. Anti-IgLON5 disease - the current state of knowledge and further perspectives. Front Immunol. 2022:13:852215.

Honorat JA, Komorowski L, Josephs KA, Fechner K, St Louis EK, Hinson SR, et al. IgLON5 antibody: Neurological accompaniments and outcomes in 20 patients. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2017;4:e385.

Gaig C, Graus F, Compta Y, Högl B, Bataller L, Brüggemann N, et al. Clinical manifestations of the anti-IgLON5 disease. Neurology. 2017;88:1736–43.

Baizabal-Carvallo JF, Cardoso F, Jankovic J. Myorhythmia: phenomenology, etiology, and treatment. Mov Disord. 2015;30:171–9.

Sabater L, Gaig C, Gelpi E, Bataller L, Lewerenz J, Torres-Vega E, et al. A novel non-rapid-eye movement and rapid-eye-movement parasomnia with sleep breathing disorder associated with antibodies to IgLON5: a case series, characterisation of the antigen, and post-mortem study. Lancet Neurol. 2014;13:575–86.

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   CAS   Google Scholar  

El-Abassi R, Soliman MY, Williams F, England JD. Whipple’s disease. J Neurol Sci. 2017;377:197–206.

Mecklenburg J, Moos V, Moter A, Siebert E, Nave AH, Schneider T, et al. The spectrum of central nervous system involvement in Whipple’s disease. Eur J Neurol. 2023;30:3417–29.

Grüter T, Möllers FE, Tietz A, Dargvainiene J, Melzer N, Heidbreder A, et al. Clinical, serological and genetic predictors of response to immunotherapy in anti-IgLON5 disease. Brain. 2023;146:600–11.

Werner J, Jelcic I, Schwarz EI, Probst-Müller E, Nilsson J, Schwizer B, et al. Anti-IgLON5 disease: a new bulbar-onset motor neuron mimic syndrome. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021;8:e962.

Gelpi E, Höftberger R, Graus F, Ling H, Holton JL, Dawson T, et al. Neuropathological criteria of anti-IgLON5-related tauopathy. Acta Neuropathol. 2016;132:531–43.

Berger-Sieczkowski E, Endmayr V, Haider C, Ricken G, Jauk P, Macher S, et al. Analysis of inflammatory markers and tau deposits in an autopsy series of nine patients with anti-IgLON5 disease. Acta Neuropathol. 2023;146:631–45.

Chung DC, Roemer S, Petrucelli L, Dickson DW. Cellular and pathological heterogeneity of primary tauopathies. Mol Neurodegener. 2021;16:57.

Ryding M, Gamre M, Nissen MS, Nilsson AC, Okarmus J, Poulsen AAE, et al. Neurodegeneration induced by anti-IgLON5 antibodies studied in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human neurons. Cells. 2021;10:837.

Erro ME, Sabater L, Martínez L, Herrera M, Ostolaza A, García de Gurtubay I, et al. Anti-IGLON5 disease: a new case without neuropathologic evidence of brainstem tauopathy. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2019;7:e651.

Lee SY, Shoji H, Shimozawa A, Aoyagi H, Sato Y, Tsumagari K, et al. Phenotypic insights into anti-IgLON5 disease in IgLON5-deficient mice. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2024;11:e200234.

Article   Google Scholar  

Sabater L, Planagumà J, Dalmau J, Graus F. Cellular investigations with human antibodies associated with the anti-IgLON5 syndrome. J Neuroinflammation. 2016;13:226.

Nissen MS, Blaabjerg M. Anti-IgLON5 disease: a case with 11-year clinical course and review of the literature. Front Neurol. 2019;10:1056.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the patient, his family, and all healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care.

This work was supported by Italian Ministry of Health - Ricerca Corrente.

Author information

Simone Pierro and Federico Verde contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

Neurology Residency Program, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Simone Pierro

Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, Milan, 20149, Italy

Federico Verde, Alessio Maranzano, Anna De Gobbi, Eleonora Colombo, Alberto Doretti, Stefano Messina, Luca Maderna, Antonia Ratti, Floriano Girotti, Vincenzo Silani, Claudia Morelli & Nicola Ticozzi

Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Federico Verde, Vincenzo Silani & Nicola Ticozzi

Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Antonia Ratti

Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy

Francesca Andreetta

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

S.P. wrote the manuscript. S.P. and F.V. performed a review of the literature. S.P. and F.V. edited the videos. A.D.G. performed measurements of neurochemical biomarkers. F.A. provided autoantibody data. F.V., A.M., S.M., L.M., C.M. and N.T. were involved in clinical decision making and patient care. F.G. supported the author and the first co-author in the pathophysiological interpretation of clinical data. All authors reviewed the manusctipt.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Federico Verde .

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate.

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano (project DAMARE, code 2021_05_18_04). The study is in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. The patient provided consent to publication of the case.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was acquired from the patient described within the present study.

Consent to publish

The wife (caregiver) of the patient provided written informed consent to publish on his behalf.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary Material 1 : Video 1. Oculomotor disturbances, with bilateral limitation in the ocular horizontal smooth pursuit, plus increased latency and decreased speed of the horizontal saccades.

Supplementary Material 2 : Video 2. Hemifacial myorhythmia, consisting in slow, rhythmic, continuous movements of the left periorbital and perioral muscles, spreading to the ipsilateral palate and hemitongue.

Supplementary Material 3 : Video 3. Negative myoclonus of both upper limbs with irregular jerks.

Supplementary Material 4 : Video 4. Ataxia of the upper limbs, shown as dysmetria in the finger-to-finger test; gait ataxia, with widening of the base and postural instability.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Pierro, S., Verde, F., Maranzano, A. et al. Further insights into anti-IgLON5 disease: a case with complex clinical presentation. BMC Neurol 24 , 334 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03837-3

Download citation

Received : 21 July 2024

Accepted : 28 August 2024

Published : 10 September 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03837-3

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Anti-IgLON5 disease
• Oculomotor abnormalities
• Hemifacial myorhythmia
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunotherapy

BMC Neurology

ISSN: 1471-2377

• General enquiries: [email protected]