How to Pre-Record a Presentation (Explained With Easy Steps)

Pre-recording a presentation can be a great way to ensure a polished and error-free delivery. A presentation can be pre-recorded in Microsoft PowerPoint, Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc. platforms.

In this article, we will discuss the steps and process to pre-record a presentation on some of these platforms. 

How to Record a PowerPoint Presentation With Pre-Recorded Audio?

To record a PowerPoint presentation with pre-recorded audio, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Insert Audio on Slides

Open your PowerPoint presentation and go to the slide where you want to add the pre-recorded audio. Then, follow these steps to insert the audio:

• Go to the “Insert” tab on the PowerPoint menu.
• Click on the “Audio” button and select “Audio on My PC” (if the audio is saved on your computer) or “Audio from File” (if the audio is on external media).
• Navigate to the location of your pre-recorded audio file and select it.

2. Set Audio Playback Options

Once you’ve inserted the audio, you can set the playback options to control how it plays during the presentation:

• Click on the Audio icon on the slide to select it.
• A new “Audio Tools” tab will appear on the PowerPoint menu. Click on it.
• In the “Playback” section, you can adjust options like “Start”, “Play across slides” and “Loop until stopped.”

3. Test Audio Playback

Play the audio on the slide to ensure it’s working correctly and set to play as desired. If you have audio on multiple slides, repeat the process to insert and set up the audio for each slide.

4. Save Your Presentation

Once you’ve added all the audio to your presentation, save the PowerPoint file.

5. Present Your Slides

PowerPoint will start recording your presentation. Navigate through the slides and let the pre-recorded audio play automatically as you progress.

6. Finish Recording

After you’ve completed the presentation, press the “Esc” key on your keyboard to end the recording.

7. Save Your Recorded Presentation

Save your PowerPoint presentation again after recording to keep the narration and timings embedded in the slides.

How to Pre-Record a Presentation with Zoom?

Follow these 10 easy steps to pre-record a presentation with Zoom:

1. When you are ready to record, start a new meeting by selecting ‘New Meeting’ in the app, or if you are in your browser, select ‘Host a Meeting’ in the top right corner. 

2.  When prompted, click on Join Audio Conference by Computer so Zoom will record your PC’s microphone. Make sure you have both your audio and video turned on.

3. Click on the Share Screen button. In the window that appears, select your PowerPoint presentation (you will need to have this open to share your screen.)

4. Once selected, click the Screen Share button and the chosen screen or application will have a green border surrounding it to verify that it is being shared.
5. At the top of the screen, move your cursor to the green area, where your meeting ID is listed, and a menu will appear.

6. Click More (…) > Record. You can now begin to deliver your presentation
7. When you’re done recording, go back into your Zoom toolbar at the top of your screen and click on More (…) > Stop Recording 
8.  At the top of your screen click Stop Share.
9.  At the bottom right of the Zoom application click End, then End Meeting for All 
10. Zoom will begin compressing the screen recording and save it on your computer

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers) 

Can You Pre-Record a Presentation with PowerPoint?

Yes, you can pre-record a presentation with PowerPoint. PowerPoint can be used to pre-record audio and sync it with the slideshow itself. The resulting slideshow with the recorded audio can be exported into a video file to turn it into a pre-recorded lecture.

PowerPoint offers a feature called “Record Slide Show,” which allows you to record your presentation, narration, timing, and even annotations. This recorded presentation can then be shared with others, making it an excellent tool for pre-recording your content.

Can You Pre-Record a Google Slide Presentation?

No, you can’t record a presentation just using Google Slides. However, workarounds and third-party tools can be used to achieve a similar result.

 A webcam or screen recording software must capture video and audio while presenting with Google Slides. Using an app or browser-based program will allow you to record your voice, face, or both with your slide deck. 

Conclusion

Pre-recording a presentation is not a hard task. It can be a valuable tool for creating high-quality, well-structured, and visually appealing content that can be utilized for various purposes, such as online courses, webinars, conferences, or marketing materials.