Common Mistakes in Proposal Slide Decks (and How to Fix Them)
- Patriot Data Graphics
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
A well-designed proposal presentation can elevate your pitch, engage evaluators, and enhance clarity, but a poorly designed slide deck can do just the opposite. Many proposal teams focus heavily on the content of their presentation while overlooking the design and delivery of their slides.
Studies show that people retain 80% of what they see and only 20% of what they read (Medina, 2008). This means that visual presentation matters just as much as verbal delivery. A cluttered, text-heavy, or unstructured slide deck can confuse evaluators, weaken key messages, and reduce proposal scores.
This article highlights common mistakes in proposal slide decks and how to fix them to create clear, professional, and compelling presentations.
1. Too Much Text on Each Slide
The Problem:
Many presenters overload slides with long paragraphs or full sentences, forcing evaluators to read instead of listen. When slides are filled with too much text, attention shifts away from the speaker, reducing engagement.
How to Fix It:
Limit text to key takeaways – Stick to bullet points, not full sentences.
Follow the 6x6 Rule – No more than 6 words per line and 6 lines per slide.
Use visuals to replace text – Instead of explaining a process with a paragraph, use a diagram or flowchart.
Before & After Example:
Before: A slide with three paragraphs explaining a risk mitigation strategy.
After: A slide with three bullet points and a simple risk matrix graphic.
By keeping slides concise and visually structured, evaluators can grasp key points quickly while focusing on the speaker’s explanation.
2. Lack of Visual Hierarchy and Organization
The Problem:
A disorganized slide deck can confuse evaluators and disrupt the flow of your presentation. Slides with inconsistent font sizes, poor spacing, and lack of alignment appear unprofessional and hard to follow.
How to Fix It:
Use a consistent slide template – Ensure fonts, colors, and layouts are uniform.
Structure information visually – Use headings, subheadings, and spacing to create a natural flow.
Align text and visuals – Keep elements neatly arranged to avoid a cluttered look.
Before & After Example:
Before: A slide with text randomly placed, different font sizes, and no clear structure.
After: A slide with a defined title, evenly spaced bullet points, and a clear focal point.
A well-structured slide deck makes content easier to follow and enhances credibility.
3. Poor Use of Color and Contrast
The Problem:
Using too many colors or low-contrast text can make slides difficult to read. Some presenters overuse bright colors, while others fail to consider how slides will appear in grayscale printing.
How to Fix It:
Stick to a professional color palette – Use two or three colors for consistency.
Ensure high contrast – Use dark text on a light background (or vice versa).
Avoid overusing red and yellow – These colors can be distracting and are hard to read for color-blind evaluators.
Before & After Example:
Before: A slide with a dark blue background and black text, making it difficult to read.
After: A slide with a white background, navy blue text, and a gold accent color for emphasis.
By using high-contrast, professional colors, slides become easier to read and visually appealing.
4. Text-Heavy Data Presentation
The Problem:
Presenting too many numbers in text form overwhelms evaluators and makes data hard to process.
How to Fix It:
Use data visualization – Replace text-based statistics with graphs, charts, or infographics.
Highlight key insights – Instead of listing data points, explain their significance in one short sentence.
Choose the right chart type –
Use bar graphs for comparisons.
Use pie charts for percentages.
Use line graphs for trends over time.
Before & After Example:
Before: A slide listing cost savings for different project phases in text form.
After: A bar chart comparing cost savings across different phases with a short caption summarizing the takeaway.
By making data visually digestible, evaluators retain information more effectively.
5. Reading Directly from Slides
The Problem:
Some presenters rely too much on their slides, reading from them instead of engaging the audience. This makes the presentation feel robotic and disengaging.
How to Fix It:
Use slides as prompts, not scripts – Keep content minimal so the focus stays on the speaker.
Maintain eye contact – Look at the evaluators, not the screen.
Practice presenting without slides – Be prepared to speak confidently even if technology fails.
Before & After Example:
Before: A presenter stands motionless, reading word-for-word from the slide.
After: A presenter glances at slides briefly, then explains concepts using natural conversation.
A confident, engaged presenter is more persuasive than any slide deck.
6. Ignoring Accessibility Considerations
The Problem:
Some slides are difficult to read for individuals with visual impairments.
How to Fix It:
Use large, readable fonts – Stick to at least 30-point font for body text.
Add alt text for visuals – If presenting digitally, ensure that screen readers can interpret images.
Avoid decorative fonts – Use clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.
By designing accessible slides, you ensure all evaluators can engage with your content.
7. Weak Slide Transitions and Flow
The Problem:
Some presentations jump between ideas without a clear connection, causing evaluators to lose track of the narrative.
How to Fix It:
Use transition slides – A simple slide stating “Next, we’ll discuss our implementation plan” keeps the audience focused.
Follow a logical sequence – Ensure that slides flow naturally from one topic to the next.
Preview key takeaways – Reinforce main ideas throughout the presentation.
Before & After Example:
Before: A presentation abruptly jumps from technical details to pricing without warning.
After: A transition slide introduces the pricing section, helping evaluators follow along.
A smooth, logical flow enhances comprehension and engagement.
Conclusion: Well-Designed Slides Win Contracts
A compelling proposal slide deck reinforces key messages, enhances clarity, and engages evaluators. By avoiding common mistakes and following best practices, you can create polished, professional presentations that stand out.
Action Tip:
Before finalizing your slide deck, ask:
· Is the text concise and easy to read?
· Are data points visualized instead of listed in text form?
· Does the presentation flow logically and maintain engagement?
By refining slide design and prioritizing clarity over complexity, you increase your chances of securing contracts.
References
Medina, J. (2008). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. Pear Press.
Reynolds, G. (2014). Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. New Riders.
U.S. General Services Administration (2022). Best Practices for Proposal Presentations.
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