Creating presentation documents is hard enough. You’ll need to consider if they’re going to engage your audience too. 

To make it harder, the type of presentation will dictate the kind of supporting documentation you’ll need.

 

These range from presentation documents and marketing collateral to proposals and interviews. Each document requires thought, planning and cleverly crafted content.

 

When considering developing your publication, the first step is to understand the topic and purpose of the document.   

• Is it part of a presentation? 
• Are you presenting it or sending it to a prospective customer?
• Does it need to be brief, or can it be detailed and extensive?
• Do you need it to provide information like a report or market your product?
• How will it be distributed?

Once you’ve worked out the answers to the above questions, you will be able to identify what type of presentation document is required. Will a simple PDF do the job? Otherwise, you might consider a printed document, eBrochure, Livebook or a PowerPoint.

 

With the spike in the use of digital marketing, and the increasing need to conduct business digitally, creating an online document would be your best solution. Online publications have the ability to reach broader audiences. Also, they can be measured by data and analytics. 

 

A few types of presentation documents are mentioned above, so let’s break them down. 

 

PDFs

Originally PDF’s were developed to export and format files that didn’t require modification but needed to be easily shared and print-ready. However, this has evolved dramatically.

 

Most PDF’s are static documents that contain basic interactive capabilities such as hyperlinks, form fields or media files. But unfortunately, not everyone has access to edit or update PDF’s, and that’s where their problem lies.

 

According to Adobe, PDF’s should be used instead of Word, Excel or PowerPoint because they are:

• Universal
• Quick and easy to create
• Helpful with decreasing file size.
• Completely searchable 
• Easily printed
• Compatible to open with web browsers

 

Printed Documents

There’s nothing more satisfying than a beautifully printed document that displays your branding; however, sometimes the limitations outweigh the benefits.

 

In most cases, printed documents are single-use publications with labour-intensive production and in most cases, they are expensive. They work as excellent marketing collateral, that enable you to distribute content physically; however, they rapidly become out-dated.

 

Let’s explore the benefits and limitations of print marketing collateral.

Benefits

• Highly targeted as it enables direct distribution
• High-quality marketing collateral 
• Cut-through noise and interruption marketing

Limitations

• No editing or updating capabilities – once the collateral is printed, it cannot be changed.
• Limited lifespan – printed collateral will eventually be lost, thrown out or become out-dated
• Costly
• Limited reach

 

eBrochures

eBrochures are eye-catching digital publications created by MMR. Just like most of the flipbooks you can find online, they mimic the page-flipping of a real magazine.

When compared to a printed magazine, eBrochures come with quite a few benefits:

• There will be no more hassle with print and distribution.
• Enjoy optimised user experience on all devices.
• Easy to distribute via Marketing Campaigns, Social Media, email, etc.
• eBrochures can include Call to Action buttons and become an active part of your conversion path.
• You can include media-rich features like videos and animations to keep the reader engaged.
• Use the power of analytics to learn about your audience and refine your marketing strategy.
• You can also feel good about ‘going green’ and saving some trees along the way.

 

PowerPoint

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to designers or expensive marketing software/budgets. This is where PowerPoints are an excellent solution. 

While providing impressive predetermined themes, it also has accessibility for you to create your own. Therefore, allowing creativity while also providing it. 

 

PowerPoints are a quick and easy solution to creating and distributing presentation documents because they are:

• User friendly and enable easy editing capabilities
• Can be used as a presentation or exported and distributed
• Enables beautiful design. You can include interactive elements such as hyperlinks, images and videos

However, it’s a basic solution.

• It cannot be uploaded online or provide reporting and tracking analytics/data.
• It provides limited navigation as you can only look at pages in sequences.
• Lastly, PowerPoints only have sharing capability via sending files.
  

 

Livebook 

Livebook is an innovative solution, and the first of its kind. It allows you to upgrade your documents into mobile-friendly, interactive and measurable publications. With Livebook, your content is always easy to update, and can give your online documents the attention they deserve.

The benefits of Livebook:

• Responsive design – your Livebook optimises content, so it will load instantly and perform across all devices.
• Easy to Edit – you can make edits to your content at any time, and it will be immediately published online.
• Interactive document features including search fields and image galleries 
• Hosted online, providing tracking analytics and data. 
• You can share your content with the right target market. You can also reach a much wider audience as it’s easily accessible online.

 

And the list goes on! 

 

To effectively communicate and engage your audience, it’s essential to find the right presentation documents for your business.

 

If you want assistance or advice, let us know what you want to achieve. We are here to help you achieve it!

 

 

Related articles:

Bring Your Documents to Life online with eBrochures

Livebook – An Innovative Solution for Your Online Publication

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