How to Add and Use Speaker Notes in Presentations in Google Slides

Giving presentations can be nerve-wracking. Even if you know your topic inside and out, it’s easy to get flustered and forget key points when all eyes are on you. This is where speaker notes come in handy!

Speaker notes allow you to add notes to your presentation slides that only you (the presenter) can see. This way, you can remind yourself of important points, facts, citations, etc. as you present.

The best part is that adding speaker notes in Google Slides presentations is quick and easy. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know, including:

• What are speaker notes?
• Benefits of using speaker notes
• How to add speaker notes in Google Slides
• Best practices for writing effective speaker notes
• Tips for using speaker notes while presenting

Let’s get started!

What Are Speaker Notes?

Speaker notes, also called presenter notes, are notes attached to presentation slides that are only visible to the person giving the presentation. The audience cannot see these notes – they are solely for the presenter’s reference.

Think of speaker notes as cheat sheets to help jog your memory and keep your presentation on track. You can write anything in these notes – key talking points, data to cite, reminders for slide transitions, etc.

Speaker notes are very useful if you plan to present without reading directly from slides. They allow you to appear more polished and natural while still having helpful reminders on hand.

Benefits of Using Speaker Notes

Here are some of the top benefits of adding speaker notes in Google Slides and other presentation programs:

• Remember key points – Speaker notes allow you to elaborate on information on slides without cramming slides with too much text. You can use the notes as reminders for key statistics, stories, examples, etc. you want to mention.
• Cite sources – Easily cite sources in your speaker notes without cluttering the slides themselves. This helps you accurately reference data and research while presenting.
• Add slide transition reminders – Use speaker notes to remind yourself when to advance slides during the presentation.
• Appear more polished – Speaker notes help you feel more confident and natural during your speech. You avoid simply reading off busy slides or forgetting information.
• Tailor information for audiences – Have multiple versions of a presentation for different audiences? Use speaker notes to customize key points and data for each group.

How to Add Speaker Notes in Google Slides

Adding speaker notes in Google Slides presentations only takes a few clicks. Follow these simple steps:

1. Open your presentation in Google Slides and select the slide you want to add notes to.
2. Look to the bottom-right corner of the window and locate the small box labeled “Speaker notes”.
3. Click inside this box and begin typing your speaker notes.
4. Press “Enter” to move to a new line and tab to indent text – this improves readability.
5. Add notes to as many slides as needed. The notes box will appear on every slide.

And that’s it! Now only you will be able to view these speaker notes when presenting.

Tip: You can double click the speaker notes box at the bottom to pop it out into a separate larger window. This makes it easier to view your notes while presenting.

Best Practices for Effective Speaker Notes

Follow these speaker note tips and tricks to make the most of this helpful presentation tool:

• Be concise – Bullet point key ideas and facts. Avoid lengthy paragraphs. Use short phrases and keywords to trigger your memory.
• Use large font – Format speaker notes in at least 16-20 pt font for easy reading. Don’t strain your eyes trying to squint at tiny text while presenting.
• Highlight CTA’s – Use all caps, bolding, or highlighting to emphasize any calls to action you want to give the audience for each slide.
• Include optional content – Have additional examples, anecdotes, or data to work into your presentation if time allows? Add them to the relevant slide notes.
• Insert citations – Properly cite any sources in your speaker notes. Include enough details so you can easily give verbal in-text citations.
• Leave room for notes – On printouts, leave white space under each slide’s notes to handwrite additional notes during practice runs.

Tips for Using Speaker Notes While Presenting

With your awesome speaker notes prepped, here are some tips to use them effectively during presentations:

• Practice – Run through your presentation a few times using the speaker notes. Identify areas to tweak before showtime.
• Don’t read verbatim – Use notes as a guide, not a script. Make eye contact to engage your listeners, not stare only at your notes.
• Come up for air – Remember to pause and breathe. Don’t rush through just because you have a detailed speaker note safety net.
• Highlight transitions – Use highlighters or symbols like arrows in margins to note when to advance to the next slides.
• Be prepared if tech fails – Print hard copies of notes as a backup in case you lose access to digital notes.
• Adjust on the fly – If you find yourself running short or long on time, use notes to help prioritize key points for more impact.

Conclusion

Adding slide-by-slide speaker notes is an impactful way to boost your confidence and delivery for presentations big and small. With Google Slides, the process is simple and seamless.

Use these best practices for crafting helpful, concise speaker notes tailored to your presentation goals. Then practice with the notes to ensure smooth, natural speeches that still cover the essential points your audiences need to hear.