Almost every training session, team update, and workshop starts the same way: someone opens a slide deck. Slides are useful. They organize ideas, show visuals, and keep presenters on track. But a deck can also quietly turn a group of people into an audience, and an audience mostly watches.
The good news is that you do not have to throw out your slides to change that. With a few small changes, the same deck can become the backbone of a conversation.
Find the questions hiding in your slides
Start by reviewing your existing deck with one question in mind: Where am I telling people something I could ask them instead?
You will find more opportunities than you expect:
- A slide listing common customer complaints could start as an open question: "What complaints do you hear most?"
- A slide showing the steps of a process could become a sorting question where the group tries to put the steps in order first.
- A slide with a key number could become a find a number question: "How many support tickets do you think we handled last quarter?"
- A slide with a list of priorities could become a prioritization question where the group ranks them before you reveal leadership's view.
Asking first gives people a reason to care about the answer on the next slide.
Aim for a rhythm, not a quiz
You do not need to turn every slide into a question. A good rhythm is an interaction every few slides, or at least every ten minutes. Mix types so it does not feel like a test: a poll here, a word cloud there, a rating question to check confidence before moving on.
Think of interactions as punctuation. They break the flow into digestible pieces and give people a moment to process what they just heard.
Open with a question, not an agenda
The first slide sets the tone. Instead of opening with an agenda, open with a question. A word cloud asking "What is your biggest challenge with this topic?" tells people immediately that their input matters, and it gives you live information about what the room cares about.
You can refer back to those answers throughout the session: "Several of you mentioned time pressure. This next section is about exactly that."
Let the results steer you
The most powerful thing about asking questions is that the answers can change what you do next. If a quick multiple choice check shows that most of the room already understands a concept, skip ahead. If responses are split, slow down and discuss.
This takes some confidence, because your presentation might not go exactly as planned. Prepare for it by marking which slides are essential and which are optional. That way you can adapt without losing your place.
Tip: When results are split, do not reveal the correct answer right away. Ask a couple of people from each side to explain their thinking first. These discussions are often the most valuable part of the session.
Collect questions as you go
Many people hold their questions until the end, and then forget them or decide not to ask. A message wall or open question that stays available throughout the session lets people submit questions the moment they think of them. Anonymous participation helps quieter or more junior people speak up.
Set aside a few minutes at natural breaks to answer the questions that have come in.
End with commitment
Instead of a final "Any questions?" slide that is usually met with silence, end with something that asks people to act. An open question like "What is one thing you will do differently after today?" turns the presentation into a commitment. A short rating question can give you quick feedback on the session at the same time.
Turning your deck into a conversation with LetMeAdd
LetMeAdd lets you combine presentation and interaction in one place:
- Add slide items for your content and place questions between them: polls, multiple choice, word clouds, open questions, sorting, prioritization, find a number, and rating.
- Include audio/video items where a short clip says it better than a slide.
- Participants join from their own devices with a 6-character code or QR code, without creating an account.
- Use a message wall to collect questions throughout, with anonymous participation if you want it.
- Export results as CSV, PDF, or PowerPoint, or as Excel on paid plans, to share what the group said after the session.
Learn more on our interactive presentation software page.
Your slides already contain the outline of a great conversation. You just need to ask the questions.
Turn your next presentation into a two-way session. Sign up for LetMeAdd.