Stop Death by PowerPoint. Use Message-led Presentations
March 11, 2023
Updated 17 September 2026
We’ve all sat through terrible PowerPoint presentations — slides packed with text, tiny fonts and endless bullet points. It’s no wonder people call it Death by PowerPoint.
As advertising legend David Ogilvy (nearly) said:
“most people use PowerPoint like a drunk uses a lamp post
– for support rather than illumination.”
It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten how to present without PowerPoint.
Learn how our presentation skills coaching can cure you of Death by PowerPoint.
Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball
Ben is the founder of London-based Benjamin Ball Associates. He leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses pitch, present & persuade. He is a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School, Imperial College and UCL London. Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
Where “Death by PowerPoint” Comes From
The phrase itself dates back to 2001, when journalist Angela Garber first used it to describe the wave of dense, text-heavy slide decks flooding corporate presentations. Two decades on, the problem hasn’t gone away — if anything, it’s more entrenched.
The most influential modern take on it comes from presentation expert David JP Phillips, whose TED talk “How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint” has been watched by millions. His central finding: cramming more than about six objects or lines onto a single slide can increase the time it takes an audience to process that slide by as much as 500%. In other words, the more you try to fit onto a slide to “help” your audience, the harder you actually make it for them to follow you.
That’s the core paradox behind Death by PowerPoint — and it’s exactly why our Message-Led Approach below starts with your message, not your slide count.
Avoid Bad PowerPoint
It’s become normal to rely on PowerPoint slides to do the heavy lifting.
Yet the success of your presentation rarely depends on your slide deck. It depends on your presentation skills, your story and how well you hold your audience’s attention.
We all waste too much time playing with PowerPoint and creating slide decks. This is probably one reason so many companies are inefficient.
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve spent more than 15 years coaching professionals to replace dull slide decks with powerful talks that inspire, persuade and inform. The solution to Death by PowerPoint is a Message-Led Presentation.
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Why Death by PowerPoint Happens
Over the years, we’ve analysed hundreds of slide presentations, from boardrooms to TEDx Talks. The same common presentation mistakes appear again and again. Here’s how to avoid those mistakes.
Here’s what causes Death by PowerPoint — and how to avoid it.
How to Avoid Boring Presentations and Create Compelling Talks
1. Planning your talk before opening PowerPoint
When you start planning inside PowerPoint, you’re already setting yourself up for a wordy slide deck. You may feel you’re making progress, but you’re really just typing ideas into boxes.
Instead, start with a blank page. Think about your key message before you open your laptop. Jot down ideas, structure your argument, and decide what you want your audience to remember. You’ll save time and deliver a far clearer story.
2. Know exactly what what you want to say before PowerPoint
Every good presentation starts with a clear purpose. Ask yourself: “What do I want people to think, feel or do after this?”
If you can’t sum that up in one sentence, your talk will wander. A Message-Led Presentation keeps you anchored to your main goal and makes a huge difference to how your ideas land.
3. You are the presentation, not your slides
Remember: you are the presentation. Your slides are there to support you, not lead you. Think of a great TED Talk — the speaker commands the stage, while visuals simply help to reinforce their story.
If your PowerPoint slides are crammed with text, your audience will read instead of listening. So, if you use any slides at all, keep each single slide simple, visual and responsible for communicating just one idea.
4. Stop filling your slides with words and bullet points
We’ve all seen it: ten lines of text, long sentences and unreadable font sizes. When slides look like reports, people stop paying attention.
Ideally, have no or very few slides. In you do have slides, limit yourself to a few words per slide. Use images, diagrams or short phrases to guide your story. If you need to share detailed data, create a separate handout instead.
5. Get straight to the point – no warming up
Within the first minute, your audience should know why they’re listening. Be bold — state your main idea up front, then back it up with stories and evidence.
The best speakers, from boardrooms to TEDx stages, grab their listeners early and never let go.
6. Keep it short and punchy
A powerful talk doesn’t drag. Trim your content so every minute counts. Shorter presentations show clarity of thought — and respect for your audience’s time. A speech writing moto is ‘say something interesting at least every 10 words.’
As we often remind our clients: nobody ever said, “I wish that meeting went on longer.”
7. End with impact
Don’t let your talk fizzle out. End with a clear call to action or a single strong message. Whether you’re in a meeting room or on a conference stage, your ending should be memorable and energising.
8. The Cure for Death by PowerPoint: The Message-Led Approach
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we teach a structured way to build presentations that connect — the Message-Led Presentation. It turns your content from a slide-led monologue into a message-led conversation.
Here’s how to do it.
| Step 1: Clarify your key messages | What are the two or three ideas you want remembered? Those are the foundation of your talk. Everything else should build around them. |
| Step 2: Build a story | Plan the journey. Decide what your audience needs to hear first, how to build momentum and how to close. Use facts, stories and examples that make your message stick. Think like a storyteller, not a slide designer. |
| Step 3: Bring your talk to life | Once you’ve built your structure, add light and shade. Use anecdotes, humour or contrast to hold your audience’s attention. Even in a meeting room, personality and pace make a huge difference. |
| Step 4: Develop clear visual aids | Now — and only now — should you open PowerPoint. Decide where you NEED visuals to help your audience. Perhaps to show a graph, an image or a process diagram. Choose visuals that genuinely help the audience understand your point. Avoid repeating what you say. For specific slide-design rules like the 5/5/5 or 10/20/30 guidelines, see our full breakdown of presentation rules. Ask yourself: Does this slide explain something complex? Does it highlight my message clearly? Could I simplify it further? Use clean layouts, readable font sizes and meaningful graphics. Limit your title slides and transitions. Your visuals should clarify, not decorate. |
| Step 5: Say, then show | Introduce your idea before displaying your visual. That way, you stay in control and your slides act as proof of what you’ve said. It’s a small habit that makes a huge difference to the success of your presentation. |
| Step 6: Practise methodically | Rehearse aloud. Use cue cards if it helps you remember key points. The more you practise, the more confident you’ll sound — and the less you’ll rely on your slides. |
How to Deliver a Powerful Talk
A great presentation isn’t about flashy slides. It’s about clarity, energy and connection. When you apply the Message-Led method, your meetings become shorter, sharper and far more persuasive.
Whether you’re pitching investors, briefing a team or giving a TEDx Talk, this approach works. You’ll look, sound and feel more confident — and your audiences will remember what you say.
Ready to Beat Death by PowerPoint?
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we help professionals like you create presentations that win support and deliver results. Our one-to-one coaching and group training sessions help you master the art of clear communication and confident delivery.
“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
— Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky
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Our training courses are fast, effective and will equip you with all the tools to create and deliver powerful talks and presentations. Call Louise Angus today on +44 20 7018 0922 or click the button below.
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“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”
Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky
For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors. And we stand out because you benefit from our tried and tested PitchPointTM Process to make sure you make fast and lasting improvements.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Death By PowerPoint
1. What does ‘Death by PowerPoint’ mean?
“Death by PowerPoint” describes boring or overloaded presentations where slides are full of text, cluttered bullet points or confusing visuals. The result is that audiences switch off instead of listening.
2. How do you avoid Death by PowerPoint?
1. Start by planning your message, not your slides.
2. Keep each single slide simple, use large font sizes, and limit bullet points.
3. Speak naturally and use visuals that support your message rather than distract from it.
3. What makes a good PowerPoint presentation?
A good presentation has a clear story, simple design and confident delivery. Your slides should help your audience understand your key message — not compete with what you’re saying.
4. How can I improve my presentation skills?
Practise your delivery, refine your story and rehearse aloud. Watch great speakers — like in a TED Talk — and learn how they hold attention. Presentation Coaching can also help you sound more confident and persuasive.
5. What is a message-led presentation?
A message-led presentation starts with your key messages and builds everything — structure, visuals and delivery — around them. It helps you create clear, memorable talks instead of cluttered slide decks.
6. Should I use bullet points on my slides?
Use bullet points sparingly. Too many make your slides look dense and hard to read. Replace long lists with visuals, diagrams or short key phrases to keep your audience focused on you, not the screen.
7. What’s the difference between a handout and a slide deck?
A handout is designed to be read later, while a slide deck supports a live presentation. Mixing the two is one of the most common presentation mistakes that leads to Death by PowerPoint.
What you should do next
- For more articles like this, subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter
- Download some of our free expert guides
- Get in touch and discuss how our intensive presentation coaching and public speaking training courses can help you.
Call our client services director Louise Angus on + 44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com
Find out more.
Get a free quote. Speak to an expert
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