10 Best Practices for Converting PowerPoint to Video Content

Want to turn PowerPoint slides into engaging videos? Start here. Videos are 9.5x more memorable than text, and 96% of buyers are influenced by them. Yet, only 4% of professionals use video regularly. Follow these 10 best practices to avoid common issues like poor timing, low quality, or oversized files.

Key Tips to Get Started:

• Simplify Slide Layouts: Clean up designs, use readable fonts, and stick to consistent colors.
• Leverage AI Tools: Automate.video and PresenterGPT can add animations, captions, and AI voices.
• Optimize Video Settings: Export at 1080p (MP4 format) with H.264 codec for smooth playback.
• Add Captions & Interactivity: Captions boost engagement by 80%, while quizzes and polls keep viewers involved.
• Format for Platforms: Tailor videos for YouTube, LinkedIn, or Instagram with proper aspect ratios and durations.

Pro Tip: Test your video on multiple devices before publishing to ensure it looks great everywhere.
Ready to dive in? Let’s make your PowerPoint videos stand out.

How to Make a Video in PowerPoint

1. Design Slides for Video Format

Keep Slide Layouts Simple

Simplify your slide layouts by removing anything that could distract your audience. As Stephen Kosslyn notes, "PowerPoint presentations can help people understand by making both memory and processing easier for them" [2].

• Stick to built-in preset layouts for consistency
• Eliminate duplicate titles
• Use manual slide transitions
• Present information in a clear, linear order
• Delete unused layouts [1]

Once the layout is clean, focus on colors and fonts to enhance the visual appeal of your video.

Pick the Right Colors and Fonts

After refining your layout, choose colors and fonts that improve readability and make your slides visually engaging.

Guidelines for choosing fonts:

Tips for selecting colors:

• Follow the 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, 10% accent color [3]
• Use contrasting colors to highlight call-to-action elements
• Be mindful of cultural color meanings if your audience is international [3]
• Stick to a consistent color scheme throughout your slides

Once your colors and fonts are sorted, make sure your text is easy to read for a smooth video experience.

Make Text Easy to Read

Clear, readable text helps viewers absorb your message and keeps them engaged.

Text formatting tips:

• Body text: 40-60 pixels for full HD (1920 x 1080) videos [4]
• Titles: Ensure they are 50% larger than body text [4]
• Limit lines to 30 characters [4]
• Show no more than 3 lines of text at a time [4]
• Allow 1 second of reading time for every 13 characters [4]

Spacing guidelines:

• Line height: 1.5 times the font size
• Paragraph spacing: 2em
• Word spacing: 0.16em
• Letter spacing: 0.12em [5]

"The optimal line length for body text is 50–60 characters per line, including spaces" - Emil Ruder [5]

For best results, position text at the bottom of your slides - unless it interferes with essential visuals [4].

2. Pick the Right AI Tools

Current AI Video Tools

AI video tools today can turn simple PowerPoint slides into engaging videos. One standout option is Automate.video, which offers features like AI virtual presenters, automatic animations, and multi-language text-to-speech.

Key features to look for in an AI video tool include:

• Automation: Smart slide timing, smooth transitions, and animations.
• Voice Options: Support for multiple languages with customizable voices.
• Format Support: Export options like MP4 and adjustable resolution settings.

Selecting AI Software

Choosing the right AI software is crucial to address earlier challenges. The best tools strike a balance between functionality and ease of use. Users often find that intuitive interfaces combined with powerful automation lead to the best outcomes.

Here’s what to consider:

1. Video Quality Options

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Automate.video offers flexible pricing plans. For example, there’s a free plan for up to 50 slides per month, while enterprise-level plans go up to $217/month for 50,000 slides. Compare pricing with the features offered to find the best match for your needs.

Using Automate.video: Examples

Automate.video simplifies video creation right in your browser, making it easy to convert slides into videos.

Common use cases include:

• Corporate Training: Develop onboarding videos with consistent AI presenters.
• Social Media Content: Create videos optimized for specific platform dimensions.
• Product Demonstrations: Convert technical details into dynamic, engaging demos.

Additionally, tools like PresenterGPT enhance the process by generating professional scripts in multiple languages. Features like quiz embedding and progress tracking add interactivity, while premium voices and voice cloning help maintain consistent branding across all content types.

3. Add AI Presenters and Voices

Why Use AI Presenters

AI presenters can turn plain PowerPoint slides into engaging video content. These virtual hosts create a personal touch while ensuring your message is delivered consistently every time.

These advantages make AI presenters an effective tool for creating impactful video content.

Setting Up AI Presenters

To get started, align your AI presenter with your brand's identity. Here's how:

• Choose the right avatar: Match it to your audience and the type of content.
• Adjust voice settings: Fine-tune rate, pitch, tone, and select the appropriate language or accent.
• Use green screen integration: Position the presenter effectively to fit your visuals.

Writing for AI Voices

Scripts for AI voices need to be clear and easy to follow. Keep these tips in mind:

• Write short, simple sentences with a clear structure.
• Avoid complex phrases that might confuse AI intonation.
• Stick to consistent terminology throughout.
• Use plain language and skip unnecessary jargon.

For example, DuPont’s Operational Excellence team saved $10,000 per training video by switching to AI presenters. Similarly, Zoom’s instructional designers cut video creation time by 90%. By incorporating these practices, you can turn basic slides into engaging videos while saving time and money.

4. Add Motion and Interaction

Basic Slide Animations

Animations can bring your slides to life, turning static content into something more engaging. The key is to use effects that complement your message without overwhelming your audience.

Here are some practical tips for working with animations:

• Use the Animation Pane to fine-tune timing and order.
• Stick to consistent effects to maintain a cohesive look.
• Break down complex ideas with step-by-step animations.
• Save time by using the Animation Painter to replicate effects across slides.

Animations can make your content more dynamic, but adding interactive elements can take it to the next level.

Making Videos Interactive

Interactive features can transform passive viewers into active participants. These elements are especially effective in training or educational videos. AI tools can simplify the process of adding interactivity. For instance, SC Training's "Create with AI" platform offers options like:

• Multiple-choice questions: Pause the video to check comprehension at key points.
• Circle-the-answer exercises: Perfect for visual learners.
• Chat-style interactions: Mimic conversational learning for a more engaging experience.

Another great tool, ClassPoint, works seamlessly with PowerPoint videos. It lets you incorporate real-time audience polls, add digital annotations, and insert questions directly into your presentation.

For corporate training, Quizizz is a popular choice. Trainers can embed questions and notes that automatically pause the video, ensuring viewers fully understand critical concepts [6].

When adding interactive features, keep your audience in mind. Use them thoughtfully to enhance the experience without disrupting the video's flow. Strike a balance that keeps viewers engaged without overwhelming them.

5. Format for Different Platforms

Social Media Video Specs

Each platform has its own requirements for video resolution, aspect ratio, and length. Here's a quick guide to help you prepare:

Did you know? Video ads under 30 seconds on LinkedIn can lead to up to 200% higher view completion rates [9]. Once your videos meet these platform-specific specs, you'll also need to fine-tune your export settings for the best playback quality.

Video Settings for All Devices

To ensure your videos look great on any device, stick to these universal settings:

• Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p) for crisp visuals.
• Format: MP4, which is widely supported.
• Video Codec: H.264 for smooth playback.
• Audio Codec: AAC-LC for clear sound.

Since most users watch videos without sound - 85% on Facebook and 80% on LinkedIn [10] - adding captions is a must. This not only makes your videos more accessible but also keeps viewers engaged.

Where to Put Your Videos

Once your videos are optimized, pick the right hosting platform. YouTube is the go-to choice for reach, with over 2 billion users and 122 million daily active users [7].

"Match the video's aspect ratio to its platform; misaligned formats appear unpolished and reduce viewer engagement." – Virginia Chachati, YouTube health video creator [11]

For professional or training content, LinkedIn is an excellent option, as 82% of businesses report increased website engagement through videos [10]. Alternatively, sensitive material can be hosted on internal systems like company intranets or learning management platforms.

If you’re using YouTube, take it a step further by creating custom thumbnails and optimizing metadata to ensure your videos display perfectly across all devices [8].

Steps for Better PowerPoint Videos

Key Takeaways

Creating high-quality PowerPoint videos requires attention to detail and proper settings. To ensure your videos look great across platforms, stick to these recommended export settings:

• Resolution: Use 1080p (1920x1080) for most cases or 4K for larger screens.
• Format: MP4 is the best choice for compatibility.
• Codec: H.264 for video and AAC-LC for audio.
• Frame Rate: 30fps for smooth playback.

Using AI Tools to Streamline the Process

Platforms like Automate.video simplify the process of turning presentations into videos. Their Professional plan costs $20/month and includes 60 minutes of video credits along with premium voice options - ideal for frequent creators.

"Converting PowerPoint to Video has never been easier with ChatGPT. ChatGPT effortlessly transforms your prompt into engaging scripts and visually appealing video content. Only in AI Studios." - AI Studios [12]

For AI-assisted video creation, follow these tips:

• Adjust slide timings in PowerPoint using the 'Transitions' tab.
• Set animations to "After Previous" for seamless flow.
• Enable automatic captions for accessibility.
• Test your video on different devices before publishing.

With these tools, creating engaging video content from PowerPoint slides becomes much more manageable.

Future Trends in Video Creation

Video content continues to dominate, with 78% of people watching online videos weekly and 55% watching daily [13]. To keep your audience engaged, consider incorporating features like interactive elements and AI-driven enhancements. Here are some ideas to stay ahead:

• Use AI avatars for consistent and polished delivery.
• Add multilingual support to reach broader audiences.
• Include interactive features to boost engagement.
• Track platform-specific metrics to refine your approach.