(https://www.slidegenius.

com/)

DESIGN SERVICES  PORTFOLIO (HTTPS://WWW.SLIDEGENIUS.COM/PORTFOLIO/)

ABOUT  RESOURCES 

WHAT WE DO (HTTPS://WWW.SLIDEGENIUS.COM/SG-PROCESS/) 

CONTACT US (HTTPS://WWW.SLIDEGENIUS.COM/SG-CONTACT-US-2/) 

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (HTTPS://WWW.SLIDEGENIUS.COM/CONSULTATION/)

Apply the 10/20/30 Rule to Your PowerPoint

Presentations Now
June 15, 2014 / Blog (https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/category/blog/), PowerPoint
Tips (https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/category/powerpoint-tips/)

Guy Kawasaki is a successful venture capitalist who has been writing books about the
trade since 1987. A few years back, he wrote a short blog advocating a simple rule
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
(http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2005/12/the_102030_rule.html) for PowerPoint presen-
powerpoint-
tations. He called it the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint.
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

High Quality, Fast, Santa Clara PowerPoint Design

Get a FREE Design Quote Now!
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/) (https://www.slidegenius.com/consultation)

According to the 10/20/30 rule,

…a PowerPoint presentation should have ten slides, last no more than twenty
minutes, and contain no font smaller than thirty points.
 Kawasaki came up with this quick presentation style due to his line of business, citing
how he’d often listen to dozens of pitches in a short period of time. Even if you’re not
in the venture capital business, the 10/20/30 rule can still be applicable to you.

Given people’s increasingly shortening attention spans

(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11607315/Humans-have-
shorter-attention-span-than-goldfish-thanks-to-smartphones.html), keeping your pre-
sentation compact can save all of you time while still getting the meat of your mes-
sage across. Here we expound on each of Kawasaki’s points:

10 Slides

(https://2ch0ii35pfo82tskhvz2b23217-
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
powerpoint-
content/uploads/2017/03/5035918427_d
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)
0252f88e3_b.jpg)

Image credit: Eliott Brown

(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-

brown/5035918427/lightbox/)

Kawasaki pointed out that it’s challenging to comprehend more than ten concepts in
a meeting. Most people assume that you need to be highly detailed in order to be im-
pressive, but this isn’t always the case.
 The 10/20/30 rule also suggests that you use the ten slides to tackle all the topics im-
portant to your audience. For a venture capitalist, these topics are the following:

1. Problem
2. Your solution
3. Business model
4. Underlying magic/technology
5. Marketing and sales
6. Competition
7. Team
8. Projections and milestones
9. Status and timeline
10. Summary and call to action

Use this list as a guide when you’re trying to condense your presentations into neat,
salient points. Depending on the type of presentation you’re giving, you can tweak
these to fit your purpose, but try to keep your slides to a minimum, with a visible flow
like the one above.

20 Minutes

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
powerpoint-
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/) (https://2ch0ii35pfo82tskhvz2b23217-
wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2017/03/4989522237_4f
034859ff_b.jpg)

Image credit: Quinn Dombrowski

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/4989522

237/lightbox/)
 You should be done with your ten-slide presentation in twenty minutes. Kawasaki
would often allot an hour to hear an entrepreneurial pitch, but most of the time gets
lost in other things. Your laptop might take a while to sync with the projector.

Emergencies might also pull your audience away from the meeting. It’s best to keep
your presentation short, so that you’ll also have time to address questions and other
concerns.

30-pt Font Size

(https://2ch0ii35pfo82tskhvz2b23217-
wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2017/03/2530788268_c
83e35a850_b.jpg)
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
powerpoint-
Image credit: Andreas Levers
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

(https://flic.kr/p/4RCXbu)

(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
Kawasaki observed that the only reason people used smaller font sizes is to be able
presentations/)
to cram huge chunks of text into a slide.

In doing so, your audience may perceive that you’re not familiar with the material,
and that you’re using the PowerPoint as a teleprompter.

The 10/20/30 rule forces you to use a larger font, so you can cut back on unnecessary
details. Remember: you’re the one who has to do the talking, not your PowerPoint
presentation.
 10 slides in 20 minutes using a font no smaller than 30 points. Easy
enough, right?

Are You Looking for a Pitch Deck?

View Our Amazing Pitch Deck Examples!
(https://www.slidegenius.com/pitch-deck-examples/)

References

“The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint (http://guykawasaki.com/the_102030_rule/).” Guy

Kawasaki . December 30, 2005. Accessed June 15, 2014.
Watson, Leon. “Humans Have Shorter Attention Span than Goldfish, Thanks to Smart-
phones (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11607315/Humans-
have-shorter-attention-span-than-goldfish-thanks-to-smartphones.html).” The Tele-
graph . Accessed June 15, 2014.

Featured Image: Lostium Project via Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/8TUHCw)

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
powerpoint-
GET YOUR FREE PRESENTATION DESIGN QUOTE NOW
Our Representatives are standing by
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

Company

(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
First Name
presentations/)

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

SEND REQUEST
 NEED A POWER-
POINT PRESENTA-
TION DESIGNED?
AND SOON?

WE CAN HELP. GET

YOUR FREE QUOTE
NOW.

Company

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

SEND REQUEST

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-

We have
powerpoint- diverse industry experience:
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

   
Technology, Software & Media Investment, Real Estate & Finance Hospitality, Marketing & Healthcare, Biotech & Pharma
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
Entertainment
(https://www.slidegenius.com/technology-
presentations/) (https://www.slidegenius.com/investment- (https://www.slidegenius.com/h
software-media/) real-estate- nance/) (https://www.slidegenius.com/hospitality-
biotech-pharma/)
marketing-
entertainment/)

   
Automotive, Aerospace & Apparel, Retail, Food & Beverage Oil, Gas & Energy Speaking, Training & Education
Transportation
(https://www.slidegenius.com/apparel-
(https://www.slidegenius.com/oil-
(https://www.slidegenius.com/s
(https://www.slidegenius.com/automotive-
retail-food-beverage/) gas-energy/) training-education/)
aerospace-
transportation/)

   
Startups & Pitch Decks
 Agriculture, Construction &
(https://www.slidegenius.com/startups- Insurance & Manufacturing Business, Services & Logistics
pitch-decks/) Security
(https://www.slidegenius.com/portfolio/)
(https://www.slidegenius.com/p
(https://www.slidegenius.com/portfolio/)

San Diego:
1660 Hotel Circle North 4th Floor Suite 475
San Diego, California 92108

New York:
18 Bridge Street 4th Floor Suite 4G
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(https://www.linkedin.com/company/slidegenius)
(https://www.facebook.com/slidegenius)
(https://twitter.com/SlideGenius)
(https://plus.google.com/+Slidegenius/posts)
(https://www.instagram.com/slidegenius/)
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
powerpoint-LIVE CHAT CALL NOW (tel:1-888-439-0293)
ONLINE NOW 1.888.439.0293
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

IN A HURRY? (/consultation/)
START A PROJECT
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/)
CONTACT US

US |  1.888.404.6719 (tel:1.888.404.6719)

UK  |  0800.051.8914 (tel:800.492.2169)

ZA  |  0800.984.004 (tel:0800.984.004)

AU  |  1800.141.023 (tel:1800.141.023)

 SG  |  800.492.2169 (tel:800.492.2169)

HK  |  800.905.352 (tel: 800.905.352)

ABOUT SLIDEGENIUS

SlideGenius is the worldwide leader of on-demand presentation design servicing over 2,000
clients around the globe. Our in-house graphic designers are certi ed experts in Microsoft
PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Google Slides and Prezi. We are the only presentation design agency

that operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week providing unparalleled customer support. Beyond
presentation design we offer a comprehensive suite of other design solutions including video,
print, infographics and web. To learn how SlideGenius can assist your team please schedule a
quick 15 minute phone call at www.slidegenius.com/consultation (/consultation/)

SLIDEGENIUS

About (https://www.slidegenius.com/sg-about/)

Our Process (https://www.slidegenius.com/sg-process/)

Our Portfolio (https://www.slidegenius.com/portfolio/)

Enterprise Solutions (https://www.slidegenius.com/enterprise-solutions/)

Request Quote (https://www.slidegenius.com/consultation/)

Testimonials (https://www.slidegenius.com/testimonials/)
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
FAQ (https://www.slidegenius.com/sg-faq/)
powerpoint-
Free Resources (https://www.slidegenius.com/digital-content-library/)
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)
Contact (https://www.slidegenius.com/sg-contact-us-2/)

Our Clients (https://www.slidegenius.com/clients/)

Careers (https://www.slidegenius.com/jobs/)
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/)
SlideGenius Blog (https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/)

Our CEO Videos (https://www.slidegenius.com/ceo-videos/)

Privacy Policy (https://www.slidegenius.com/privacy-policy/)

Legal (https://www.slidegenius.com/legal/)

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Presentation Design Services (https://www.slidegenius.com/presentation-info/)

 Keynote Presentation Design (https://www.slidegenius.com/creative-services-pricing/keynote-
presentations/)

Print & Collateral Design (https://www.slidegenius.com/creative-services-pricing/collateral-info/)

Infographic Design (https://www.slidegenius.com/creative-services-pricing/infographics-design/)

Video Animation (https://www.slidegenius.com/video-presentation-services/)

Content Marketing (https://www.slidegenius.com/content-marketing/)

WHAT WE DO

Conference Presentations (https://www.slidegenius.com/sales-conference/)

Investment Presentations (https://www.slidegenius.com/investment-presentations/)

Sales Presentations (https://www.slidegenius.com/sales-presentations/)

Investment Books & Brochures (https://www.slidegenius.com/investment-books-brochures/)

Earning Calls (https://www.slidegenius.com/earning-calls/)

Trade Shows (https://www.slidegenius.com/trade-shows/)

Online Meetings (https://www.slidegenius.com/online-meetings/)

Webinars (https://www.slidegenius.com/webinars/)

In-Home Consultations (https://www.slidegenius.com/home-consultations/)

Courtroom Presentations (https://www.slidegenius.com/courtroom-presentations/)

Executive Internal Presentations (https://www.slidegenius.com/of ce/)

Digital Signage (https://www.slidegenius.com/digital-signage/)

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
Aerospace (/aerospace-presentation-examples/)
powerpoint-
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)
Agriculture (/agriculture-presentation-examples/)

Apparel (/apparel-presentation-examples/)

Automotive (/automotive-presentation-examples/ )
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
Biotech (/biotech-presentation-examples/)
presentations/)
Business Services (/business-services-presentation-examples/)

Construction (/construction-presentation-examples/)

Education (/education-presentation-examples/)

Energy (/energy-presentation-examples/)

Entertainment (/entertainment-presentation-examples/)

Finance (/ nance-presentation-examples/)

Food & Beverage (/food-and-beverage-presentation-examples/)

Oil & Gas (/oil-gas-presentation-examples/)

 Healthcare (/healthcare-presentation-examples/)

Hospitality (/hospitality-presentation-examples/)

Insurance (/insurance-presentation-examples/)

Investment (/investment-presentation-examples/)
Logistics (/logistics-presentation-examples/)

Manufacturing (/manufacturing-presentation-examples/)

Marketing (/marketing-presentation-examples/)

Media (/media-presentation-examples/)

Telecommunication (/telecommunication-presentation-examples/)

Pharma (/pharmaceutical-presentation-examples/)

Pitch Decks (https://www.slidegenius.com/startups-pitch-decks/)

Real Estate (/real-estate-presentation-examples/)

Retail (/retail-presentation-examples/)

Security (/security-presentation-examples/)

Software (/software-presentation-examples/)

Speaking (https://www.slidegenius.com/speaking-training-education/)

Startups (/startup-presentation-examples/)

Technology (/technology-presentation-examples/)

Training (https://www.slidegenius.com/speaking-training-education/)

Transportation (/transportation-presentation-examples/)

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-
© 2018 SlideGenius (https://www.slidegenius.com/)
powerpoint- | 1660 Hotel Circle North • 4th Floor Suite
Floor Suite 4G Brooklyn, NY 11201  | 1.888.404.6719 (tel:1-888-404-6719)  |  slideg
presentations/&t=Apply+the+10%2F20%2F30+Rule+to+Your+PowerPoint+Presentations+Now)

(https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.slidegenius.com/blog/102030-rule-powerpoint-
presentations/)