# 1 Rule for Slide Design

Image: Uwe Hermann (Flickr)

For many people, the first thing they do when asked to do a presentation is to start by writing their slides and while I admire their enthusiasm, there is one very important step they’re overlooking – the presentation script.

To design truly great presentation slides, you must first know what you’re going to say.

Remember, when you are asked to give a presentation to a conference or to your colleagues, it’s because they want to listen to what someone of your expertise has to say about your topic and not because of your slides.

The first thing you must always do is write your speech.

When you are satisfied that your speech will be interesting and useful to your audience, then, and only then, begin to design your slides.