EasyStudio allows you to also include PowerPoint presentations in each video in a similar way to how you would show slides in a seminar, workshop or training session. Your PowerPoint can be shown next to you on the screen and when required it can be made to fill the screen. This powerful and easy to use combination allows your viewers to connect with your personal delivery, whilst viewing supporting information such as text, diagrams, photographs, animations and even videos.

If you are wanting to include an existing PowerPoint presentation it may require a few modifications such as setting it to widescreen format, checking for small fonts and removing any branded start and end slides. Please see the tips below for more information. If you are creating a PowerPoint especially for your videos then the design of this template is already included in the Custom, Enhanced, and Premium EasyStudio setup stage.

Download a sample PowerPoint template (includes example content based on the tips below.

Eight tips for preparing your PowerPoint presentations

1. Set your slides to ‘widescreen’

For slides to show correctly they must be set to the ‘widescreen 16:9’ size. You can see instructions on how to do this on the Microsoft website. It is important to check each slide carefully making sure the size change hasn’t upset the layout, the slide background or squashed any images out of proportion (see this link for more info on this issue). The reason why widescreen slides are required is because this is shape of all videos!

Save your PowerPoint as .PPTX file

A .PPTX file is the default version of PowerPoint files since 2007. The older .PPT file is not compatible with our system unless you choose to run the PowerPoint off your own laptop.

3. Don’t use in-slide animations (unless you are using your own laptop)

Using in-slide animations won’t work, use static slides instead (unless you are using your own laptop). If you need to use enhanced presentation elements (e.g. animations or videos) you can bring your own laptop and we will capture the contents of the screen allowing you to show whatever you wish. Please note that this is slightly more tricky to control hence the above option being preferred. You can find out more information about this in the FAQ’s below.

4. Avoid using too much text or small fonts

To avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’ it is recommended that text is used sparingly and as big as possible to ensure it is easily readable when shown ‘inset’ (i.e. next to the presenter at approximately 1/4 screen size). This may look massive when viewed on a big screen but please remember many viewers watch videos on 4-5 inch mobile phone screens!

5. Use images, illustrations and diagrams instead of text only

Slides are always best when they reinforce or expand the presenters messages rather than duplicate what is already being spoken. Careful use of imagery can provide another layer of information that can support what is being said and add value to the overall video presentation. Page after page of bullet points or statements is guaranteed to drive viewer engagement down. To avoid this, mix up your content by using relevant photographs, diagrams, videos and use text sparingly with typographic style layouts to add interest.

6. Respect copyright restrictions

Using content from Google Images search results or watermarked stock images is illegal without proper licensed permission. Although many PowerPoint presentations that are used offline may escape legal action, online it is a very different matter. You are responsible for ensuring that all of your content is correctly licensed.

Google Images does offer settings to filter results by license type although it is still a good idea to check for each image used. Alternatives include Shutterstock, iStock, 123rf, Hubspot’s list of 20 free stock image sites and of course you can always make your own content.

7. Avoid duplicating start and end slides

Unlike an offline presentation, most videos created will already have a branded title sequence containing the title of the video and a branded end sequence containing contact details and copyright notices. To avoid unnecessary duplication, we recommend starting  and ending your PowerPoint with the first and last of the content style slides instead, as this generally looks better.

8. Use relevant content (and avoid clichéd stock imagery)

We have all been to presentations and seen PowerPoint slides using the same clichéd imagery styles and know from that moment on it is not going to get any better unless the presenter is really engaging. Online the viewer can and will disengage and instead seek other options. Each slide should add real value and provide additional information to the viewer. If it doesn’t then it is probably not needed.

Video demonstrations

Frequently asked questions about including PowerPoint presentations in your video

What is the difference between running the PowerPoint on your system or from a laptop?

EasyStudio allows you to run a PowerPoint either from our system or from a laptop (you can use your own laptop or our spare one). There are however some major differences between these two options.

1. Running PowerPoint on our system

This is currently the easiest way to control your PowerPoint presentation as you use the same remote control to advance slides and set them full screen with the two remaining buttons being for starting and stopping recording. This makes controlling your studio session much easier as you only need one hand to control everything.

The downside of this set-up is that each slide is treated like an image, this means that any in-slide animation or enhanced content will not operate as expected. For simple slideshows this is not a limitation, however if you have bullet points coming in one by one, images building up in stages or videos embedded you will not be able to use this option unless you remove or amend these elements.

If you only have a few bullet points coming in one by one this is a fairly easy fix, you simply duplicate the slide by the amount of bullet points you have and adjust the slides to mimic this effect.

2. Running PowerPoint on a laptop

This is the best solution for more advanced PowerPoint presentations that include more complicated in-slide animations such as images that build up with each click or where videos are embedded in slides.

This can be a little more involved to control as you will only use three buttons on the studio remote control (start recording, toggle fullscreen on/off and stop recording). Changing slides is now achieved by either pressing a key on the laptop (space bar, page down, enter, N or the down or right arrow) or you can use a second remote controller if you prefer.

We are working on a solution to make this easier and will update this section as soon as we have news on this.

Can I bring my own laptop to display my PowerPoint?

Yes you can use your own laptop if you prefer as long as it can output a full HD signal (1920 x 1080)  and has either an HDMI, DisplayPort over USB C, Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA connector. Don’t forget your power supply and also to disable any notifications that might distract you when you are presenting. We also have a spare Windows laptop that you are welcome to use.

Can my PowerPoint contain sound and videos?

Yes it is possible to include embedded audio and video files and play them as part of your video from your PowerPoint presentation as long as they are playing from your Laptop. We would recommend testing these in advance to make sure they play smoothly and that you are familiar with how to control them. Note that audio is not possible if you are connecting with DVI or VGA connections.

Can I make changes to a PowerPoint presentation during the studio session?

Yes, changes can be made at any time during the studio session if you need to correct any issues or further improve the slides.

What if I discover a mistake on a PowerPoint slide after my studio session?

It may be possible to correct mistakes on a recorded video after filming is complete. This is not usually included in the EasyStudio service so additional fees may apply.

Can you check my presentation for me?

We are happy to check your PowerPoint template in advance of your session to make sure that it will work well with the EasyStudio set-up. If you need any design work or advice on the content of your presentation, we can provide this as an additional paid service.

Do PowerPoints need to be sent in advance?

No, you can turn up on the day with your PowerPoint presentations if you wish, do be sure to check the format to save wasting time on the day making changes to your slides.