The 10-20-30 rule of presentations: a simple formula for powerful ommunication

A great presentation isn’t about how much you say, but it’s definitely about how well you say it. The truth is, most presentations fail because they overwhelm, bore, or confuse the audience. But what if there was a simple formula to fix this?

Enter the 10-20-30 Rule, a straightforward yet powerful approach to presentations that helps bring out the best in presentations. Created by Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist and former Apple evangelist, this rule is widely embraced in the corporate world, particularly for investor pitch decks, corporate presentations and other business presentations. It’s a formula that helps speakers get their point across efficiently and memorably.

So, what exactly is the 10-20-30 Rule, and how can you use it to transform your presentations? Let’s break it down in an easy way.

The origin of the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki developed the 10-20-30 Rule after years of listening to entrepreneurs seeking funding through investor pitch decks. He noticed a common problem: most decks were painfully long, text-heavy, and unreadable.

To cut through the noise, he introduced a formula:

• 10 slides – because people can’t absorb more than that.
• 20 minutes – because attention spans are short.
• 30-point font – because readability matters more than cramming words.

This simple structure quickly gained traction in the business and education world, and for good reason.

You might also like: How many slides should I have for a 30 minute presentation

Why does it work so well?

Our brains have limited cognitive load, which means we can only process so much information at once. Overloading your audience with excessive slides, lengthy explanations, and tiny text is a surefire way to lose their attention.

The 10-20-30 Rule works because it:

• Reduces cognitive overload.
• Forces clarity and conciseness.
• Makes information easier to recall.
• Works across industries and formats.

Related read: Cognitive load in presentations

Now, let’s break it down into actionable steps so you can apply this rule to your own presentations.

Understanding the 10-20-30 rule

The 10-Slide Rule

According to Kawasaki, your presentation should have no more than 10 slides. Why? Because people can only retain a limited number of ideas in one sitting.

For example, here’s a suggested breakdown of those 10 slides for an investor pitch deck:

1. Title Slide – Your company name, tagline, and contact info.
2. Problem Statement – The issue your business solves.
3. Solution – Your product/service and how it fixes the problem.
4. Business Model – How you make money.
5. Market Opportunity – The size and potential of your market.
6. Competitive Advantage – How you stand out from competitors.
7. Go-to-Market Strategy – How you plan to reach customers.
8. Financial Projections – Revenue forecasts and key metrics.
9. Team – Who’s behind the company and why they matter.
10. Call to Action – What you need (investment, partnership, etc.).

This structure ensures that your audience stays focused on the essentials rather than getting lost in unnecessary details. However, If you feel like 10 slides aren't enough, resist the temptation to add more. Instead, consolidate your points. Remember, the goal is to communicate efficiently, not dump everything onto slides.

Related read: How to create a winning investor deck

The 20-Minute Rule

Your presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes. Why? Because attention spans are shorter than ever. Even if you’re given a full hour, Kawasaki suggests wrapping up the main content in 20 minutes to leave time for Q&A, discussion, and interaction.

Here’s how you can structure your 20 minutes effectively:

• First 5 minutes- Capture attention (problem, solution, impact).
• Next 10 minutes-  Dive into details (market, strategy, financials).
• Last 5 minutes- Summarize and end with a strong call to action.

Keeping it tight and engaging ensures that your audience remains hooked from start to finish. However, if you have more time, use itfor discussions, storytelling, and audience interaction rather than stuffing more slides into your presentation.

The 30-Point Font Rule

Now, let’s talk about one of the most common (and painful) mistakes in presentations- tiny text crammed onto slides. According to the Kawasaki’s rule, you should use a minimum 30-point font size.

Here’s why:

• Readability-  If people can’t read it, they’ll stop paying attention.
• Conciseness- Bigger fonts force you to keep your message short and impactful. (Related read: 15 best fonts for your presentation)
• Better Design- Clean slides with fewer words look more professional.

If you have a lot to say- use your voice instead of putting everything on your slides. Your slides should support your words, not replace them. If you find yourself adding long paragraphs, cut it down to bullet points or use visuals instead.

How to apply the 10-20-30 rule in real life

Now that you know the rule, how can you use it effectively? Here are some practical tips:

1. Start with a Strong Hook- A good title slide grabs attention immediately. Start with a powerful statement, a thought-provoking question, or an interesting fact.
2. Keep It Visual- Use images, charts, and graphics instead of walls of text. People remember visuals better than words.
3. Practice Ruthless Editing- Go through your slides and remove anything that doesn’t add value. If a point isn’t essential, cut it.
4. Time Yourself- Rehearse your presentation and stick to the 20-minute rule. Avoid rushing through slides, speak clearly and with confidence and always practice your delivery. If you want to learn more about how to deliver effective presentations, give our blog a read.
5. Test It on Someone Else- Before presenting, test your pitch on a colleague or friend. If they get lost, simplify it further.

How to use the 10-20-30 rule for different types of presentations

While the 10-20-30 Rule is often associated with startup pitches and investor pitch decks, its principles can be applied to a different types of presentations. Whether you're delivering a sales pitch, a corporate meeting, an educational lecture, or even a TED-style talk, this framework can help you refine your message and keep your audience engaged.

Using the 10-20-30 rule for sales presentations

Sales pitches often suffer from information overload. Salespeople tend to bombard prospects with features, numbers, and technical details, making it harder for them to see the real value of the product.

• 10 slides- Focuses on benefits, not just features. Keep the story customer-centric.
• 20 minutes- Captures attention quickly and avoid losing interest.
• 30-point font- Makes key takeaways bold, concise, and easy to absorb.

Example of a Sales Pitch Structure:

1. Problem customers face
2. How your product/service solves it
3. Unique selling points (USPs)
4. Real-life success stories or case studies
5. Pricing and offers
6. Call to action (next steps)

Related read: Mistakes to avoid in sales presentations

Using the 10-20-30 rule for internal corporate meetings

Ever sat through a corporate meeting where the presenter droned on for an hour with endless slides? Everyone zones out, productivity drops, and nobody even remember the key message.

• 10 slides- Focuses only on key updates, decisions, or insights.
• 20 minutes- Avoids unnecessary details and leave room for discussion.
• 30-point font- Ensures clarity so that takeaways are understood at a glance.

Example of a Corporate Presentation Structure:

1. Purpose of the meeting
2. Key updates (progress, challenges, goals)
3. Important data or results
4. Next steps and action items
5. Q&A and discussion

Take a look at our detailed guide to creating effective corporate presentations to learn more.

Using the 10-20-30 rule for educational and training resentations

When teaching, presenters often try to cram too much information into one session. Students and trainees struggle to retain all the details.

• 10 slides- Focuses on key concepts rather than overwhelming details.
• 20 minutes- Delivers knowledge in bite-sized, digestible portions.
• 30-point font- Prioritizes visual clarity and readability over excessive text.

Example of an Educational Presentation Structure:

1. Introduction to the topic
2. Key concepts and principles
3. Real-world examples or case studies
4. Interactive discussions or exercises
5. Summary and key takeaways

Using the 10-20-30 rule for TEDx talks or public speaking events

Great public speakers keep their message simple, powerful, and engaging. The best TED Talks are often under 20 minutes, aligning perfectly with this rule.

• 10 slides- Supports storytelling without being a crutch.
• 20 minutes- Keeps the speech impactful and memorable.
• 30-point font- Ensures every visual reinforces the speaker’s words in the right font sizes.

Example of a TED-Style Talk Structure:

1. Start with a compelling story or statistic
2. Introduce the big idea or message
3. Provide real-life examples or personal experiences
4. Explain why it matters to the audience
5. End with a powerful call to action or thought-provoking statement

Learn more about creating TEDx talk presentations in our blog- a beginner's guide to creating TEDx presentations.

Final thoughts

The 10-20-30 Rule is a universal guideline that can be adapted to different contexts. So, the next time you're preparing a presentation, ask yourself: Am I keeping it simple, engaging, and easy to follow? If not, it might be time to trim the excess, sharpen the focus, and let the 10-20-30 Rule work its magic. Your audience (and your credibility) will thank you for it.

For more tips and insights on creating better presentations, visit the Crappy Presentations Blog.

If you’re looking to partner up with a presentations design agency for your next big presentation, Talk to us. We, at Crappy Presentations, have the expertise you might be looking for!