Introduction to Content Writing for SlideShare
SlideShare is one of the most popular websites for sharing presentations online. With over 375 million monthly visitors, it has become a primary resource for businesses, individuals, educators and more to share their knowledge via slideshows and gain exposure for their work. Given its large audience, creating effective content for SlideShare can help boost brand awareness, generate traffic to your website or other projects, and position you as an industry expert. Writing slideshow content requires a specific skill set. In this article, we will explore best practices for content writing designed specifically for SlideShare presentations.
Understanding the SlideShare Format
Before diving into content writing tips, it’s important to understand how people consume and interact with content on SlideShare. Presentations uploaded to the site are typically 5-30 slides in length and cover a specific topic or piece of research. Users will scroll through the slides, reading the on-screen text and viewing any embedded images, videos or other multimedia. Interaction includes liking, commenting and sharing individual slides or the full presentation.
With this format in mind, your content needs to be:
Scannable: Users should be able to quickly scan slide text and graphics to understand the overall narrative without reading every word. Use clear headings, bullet points and highlight key takeaways.
Digestible in small chunks: Each slide is like its own mini blog post. Write so the information on a single slide can be absorbed on its own without needing prior or subsequent slides for context.
Visually engaging: Add relevant images, charts, videos etc. to break up walls of text and enhance understanding. Multimedia keeps users engaged as they scroll.
Cohesive across slides: Connect the narrative by using transition words like “next” or “furthermore” to guide the reader through your argument or demonstration.
Developing an Outline
Before starting to write, clearly outline the overall narrative arc and structure of your SlideShare presentation. This includes:
Title/topic: Clearly define what you will cover to establish reader expectations.
Introduction: Hook the reader with a problem/question and outline of what’s to follow.
Body: Divide content into logical sections/slides with headings and subheadings.
Conclusion: Restate main points and leave reader with final takeaway or next step.
Calls to action: If applicable, include easy ways for users to contact you or take action after viewing the slides.
When outlining, pay attention to how much information can reasonably fit on a slide. Too much text makes it overwhelming. You may need multiple slides to thoroughly explain a single subsection.
Effective Slide Writing Techniques
With an outline prepared, it’s time to start writing slide content. Here are some tips for creating easily scannable yet compelling copy:
Use clear, headline-style titles on each slide in 36-40pt font or larger.
Limit body text to 5-7 bullet points or 1-2 concise paragraphs per slide in 24-28pt font.
Keep wording precise and punchy using active voice.
Highlight key facts, figures, quotes, or case studies.
Include helpful subheadings, callouts, bold/italic text for emphasis.
End each slide with a mini-question or call to action to prompt engagement.
Proofread carefully to eliminate clunky phrasing or extra words.
Run content through reading level and plagiarism tools.
Add proper attribution for any outside sources like images or quoted text.
Testing and Revision
Don’t finalize your slide content until testing it on others. Ask friends, colleagues or a writing group to view your slides and provide feedback on:
Clarity of narrative and ability to follow the storyline.
Scannability of content on individual slides and overall flow.
Pacing and balance of text vs. visual elements.
Necessity of included details or potential to truncate content.
Their input can help refine your message before publishing. Be open to changes that enhance comprehension and engagement. Proofread one last time before uploading your SlideShare for maximum impact.
Ongoing Optimization
Content writing for SlideShare is an iterative process. Monitor performance metrics like views, likes, shares and comments to analyze engagement over time. Refine weak slides that underperform and consider upgrading your presentation based on user interests or industry developments. Refresh occasional slides with small updates to keep the information fresh. With diligent optimization, your SlideShare can remain an ongoing educational and promotional asset bringing new readers for years.
Creating content well-suited to SlideShare’s format requires a scannable, digestible writing style and thoughtful planning. But with strategic outlining, clear slide writing techniques and testing, you can develop highly shareable presentations that effectively showcase your expertise to the SlideShare community.