Your 10 Biggest Questions Answered (Plain & Simple)
Presentations are everywhere. Every meeting, every pitch, every class needs one. Here’s how you start making them for money.
1. Do I need a certificate?
No. You need to show you can make slides that don’t put people to sleep.
Nobody checks for degrees. They want to see “Can you make my boring information look good?”
What to do instead:
- Download Canva (free) or use Google Slides (free).
- Make 3 sample slides for a fake company. Show a “before” (just text) and “after” (your nice design).
- That’s your portfolio.
2. What’s the minimum I need to spend?
$0 to start.
- Canva (free version) has everything you need.
- Google Slides is completely free.
- Your computer.
Only spend money if a client needs PowerPoint specifically—and they usually already have it.
3. How do I describe what I do?
DON’T say: “I’m a presentation designer.”
DO say: “I turn your notes and ideas into beautiful slides that keep your audience interested.”
Even simpler:
- “I make PowerPoint/Google Slides that look professional and clean.”
- “I take your bullet points and make them into easy-to-follow slides with pictures.”
4. Where do I find my VERY first client?
Start with students and small business owners.
- College students need help with class presentations.
- Small business owners need slides for meetings.
- Local churches or clubs need slides for announcements.
Message them:
“I help people create professional-looking slides for presentations. I can turn your notes into a clean, easy-to-read slide deck. Would you like to see a sample?”
5. How much do I charge?
First Project Price: $10-$15 per slide.
Example: “I charge $15 per slide. A 10-slide presentation would be $150.”
OR: Charge $100 for a simple 10-slide deck for your first client (as a discount).
Always: “50% to start, 50% when done.”
6. What does a project look like? Step-by-step
Project: “Sales Presentation for Local Coffee Shop”
- Talk: Owner gives you their notes (maybe in a Word doc or just talking points).
- Design: You create 10 slides in Canva:
- Slide 1: Title with nice picture of coffee
- Slide 2: Their story
- Slide 3-5: Menu highlights with photos
- Slide 6-8: Why they’re special
- Slide 9: Contact info
- Slide 10: Thank you
- Review: Send them PDF preview.
- Deliver: Give them the file and PDF. Get paid.
7. How do I handle payment safely?
Same rule: Half upfront.
Use PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. Send the final file only after final payment. Send a PDF preview first to show it’s done.
8. What’s the #1 beginner mistake?
Putting too much text on slides.
Good slides have few words, big pictures, clear points. If you put paragraphs, people will read instead of listening.
Rule: No more than 6 words per bullet point. Use images that match the topic.
9. How do I know if I’m good enough?
You’re good enough if:
- You can use Canva or Google Slides.
- You know how to add text and images.
- You can make something look clean (not crowded).
Test: Take a page from a magazine. Make it into 3 slides. If it looks organized, you’re ready.
10. What’s the next step?
Ask for the testimonial RIGHT AWAY.
After delivering: “If you’re happy with these slides, could you write one sentence about your experience? This helps me help others.”
Then post on social media: “Just created a sales presentation for [Business]! Love helping businesses share their story visually.”
Your Action Plan:
- Today: Make 3 sample slides in Canva.
- Tomorrow: Find one student or small business owner online.
This week: Offer your first project at the discount rate.