If you’re in sales or marketing and tired of sending out the same old PDFs that buyers ignore, you’re not alone. Interactive sales collateral sounds promising, but let’s be real: most “interactive” decks are just slides with a couple of links. If you want to actually engage buyers, you need to build collateral that’s easy to navigate, gives buyers a say in what they see, and lets you track what’s working. This guide is for anyone ready to make their sales materials less boring—and more useful—with Clearslide.
Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Know What “Interactive” Means (And What It Doesn’t)
Before you start uploading files, it’s worth setting expectations. In Clearslide, “interactive” usually means:
- Clickable links or buttons (jump to a section, open a video, or launch a website)
- Embedded media (videos, GIFs, maybe a form)
- Navigation menus or table of contents
- Some light branching (choose-your-own-adventure style)
What it’s not: Don’t expect app-like experiences, real-time chat, or advanced custom coding. If you need complex interactions, you’ll outgrow Clearslide fast.
What actually matters:
Your buyers want to find answers fast and avoid sales fluff. Make it easy for them to get to the point (and for you to see what they care about).
Step 2: Plan Your Collateral Before You Build
Interactive sales decks fail when you just jam a PowerPoint into Clearslide and call it a day. Here’s how to plan something buyers might actually use:
- Map the journey. What questions do buyers ask at each stage? Build your sections around their needs, not your sales pitch.
- Keep it modular. Each section should stand alone. If someone only clicks the demo video, that’s fine.
- Prioritize clarity. Use clear labels—skip the cutesy titles.
- Less is more. If you’re tempted to add a “company timeline” or “our values,” ask yourself if buyers ever click those.
Pro tip: Sketch your deck on paper or use sticky notes. If you can’t explain the flow to a coworker in 30 seconds, it’s too complicated.
Step 3: Build the Deck in PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva (Then Upload)
Clearslide lets you upload PowerPoint, PDF, or image files. Most people start in PowerPoint or Google Slides because:
- You control the design.
- Hyperlinks and buttons mostly transfer over.
- It’s faster to edit and rearrange.
How to prep your file:
- Add navigation links: Use hyperlinks or buttons for “Back to Menu,” “Next Section,” etc. Test them—they should be obvious and big enough to tap on mobile.
- Include a simple table of contents on slide 2 or 3, with links to main sections.
- Embed media carefully: Videos are best linked or embedded from YouTube/Vimeo; don’t count on fancy animations porting over.
- Check file size: Huge files can lag or break in Clearslide.
What to skip:
Don’t waste time on transitions, fancy fonts, or animations—they rarely work well after uploading.
Step 4: Upload and Tweak in Clearslide
Head into Clearslide and upload your file. Here’s what to watch for:
- Check all links: Click every button and menu. Sometimes links break in upload—fix them before going live.
- Add or embed videos: If your video didn’t transfer, use Clearslide’s video upload or embed feature.
- Set up “engagement points”: These are cues for buyers to click or play something. Make them obvious (“Click to watch demo,” not “See more”).
- Preview on mobile: Buyers check email on their phones. Make sure text is legible and buttons aren’t tiny.
What doesn’t work:
Clearslide’s built-in interactivity tools are limited. Don’t expect interactive forms or quizzes. You can link out to forms, but they’ll open in a new tab—clunky, but workable.
Step 5: Share Smart—Don’t Just Email an Attachment
Clearslide tracks engagement only if you share the deck through its link, not as a regular attachment. Here’s how to do it right:
- Create a unique link for each buyer or group—so you know who’s looking.
- Customize your message: The first email matters. Tell the buyer what’s inside (“You’ll find a short demo, pricing, and case studies—pick what’s relevant”).
- Set permissions: Decide if buyers can download, or just view online. If you’re sharing sensitive info, lock it down.
- Test the link: Open it in an incognito window to check what buyers see.
Skip this:
Don’t send the Clearslide link as a cold email blast. Buyers can spot a mass email a mile away.
Step 6: Track What Buyers Actually Do (And Ignore Vanity Metrics)
Clearslide gives you analytics—sort of. Here’s what’s useful, and what’s noise:
- Useful:
- Which slides buyers viewed (and for how long)
- Where they clicked or dropped off
- If they watched videos
- Not so useful:
- “Time spent” if they left the tab open
- Views from internal teammates
- Anything that doesn’t tie to real buyer actions
What to do with this info:
If buyers only click the pricing and demo slides, don’t waste follow-up calls on company history. Use their clicks to guide your next step.
Step 7: Iterate, Don’t Overthink
No one gets sales collateral perfect on the first try. Here’s how to improve:
- Ask buyers for feedback: If someone says, “I couldn’t find the demo,” fix your navigation.
- Trim dead weight: Slides no one clicks? Cut them.
- Test different versions: Try a short version for execs and a deep dive for technical buyers.
- Keep it updated: Old case studies and broken links kill trust fast.
Don’t stress about perfection:
It’s better to launch something simple and tweak it than spend a month making a “masterpiece” that no one reads.
Quick Dos and Don’ts
Do: - Use big, clear navigation buttons. - Keep copy short and direct. - Check analytics and act on them.
Don’t: - Rely on animations or transitions. - Overload with slides. - Assume “interactive” means buyers will engage—make it worth their time.
Wrapping Up
Interactive collateral in Clearslide isn’t magic—it’s just a better way to get buyers what they need, faster. Keep your decks simple, focus on buyer questions, and don’t be afraid to cut what doesn’t work. Iterate as you go, and remember: if you wouldn’t click through your own deck, your buyer probably won’t either.
Now go make something buyers actually want to open.