So you’ve built a slick presentation in Slidebeam and now you need to get it to your client—without it leaking, breaking, or turning into a mess of broken links and outdated files. This guide is for consultants, freelancers, agencies, or really anyone who needs to send Slidebeam slides to someone outside their company. We’ll cover what actually works, what’s just marketing spin, and how to avoid the classic “I can’t open this!” panic from clients.
Step 1: Decide How You Want Clients to Access Your Presentation
Start by asking yourself: Do I want my client to view the slides online, download them, or both? Each approach has its pros and cons.
Web link sharing:
- Fastest and lets you update slides even after sending the link.
- Good for simple sharing, but you have less control—anyone with the link can view, unless you lock it down.
Exporting as PDF or PowerPoint:
- More control, since clients get a static file.
- Safer if you’re worried about accidental edits, but you lose Slidebeam’s animations and live updates.
- Less “wow” factor—no interactive stuff.
Pro tip:
If your client is likely to forward your presentation, PDF is safest. If they’ll want to edit, send a PowerPoint file (but know that some Slidebeam formatting can get weird in PowerPoint).
Step 2: Exporting Your Presentation (PDF, PowerPoint, or Video)
Slidebeam makes exporting pretty painless, but there are a few quirks to watch out for.
Exporting as PDF
- Open your project in Slidebeam.
- Click the Export button (usually top right).
- Select PDF.
- Choose your export settings—these control slide size, quality, and whether to include speaker notes.
- Hit Export, then download the file.
What’s good:
- Keeps your formatting mostly intact.
- Easy to send via email or cloud storage.
- Most anyone can open a PDF.
What’s not:
- Animations, videos, and slide transitions are lost.
- Embedded links might not always work as expected—double-check before sending.
Exporting as PowerPoint (PPTX)
- Click the Export button.
- Select PowerPoint (.pptx).
- Wait for the conversion (can take a minute for big decks).
- Download the file.
Heads up:
- Some Slidebeam features don’t translate perfectly to PowerPoint—fonts, alignments, and animations might break.
- Always open the exported file in PowerPoint yourself before sending it to a client.
Exporting as Video
- Only use this if your client specifically asks for it, or if you need to give a “hands-off” presentation.
- Exporting as video is slow and the file size can be huge.
- Good for pitches or situations where you want to control the pacing, but not for live collaboration.
Step 3: Sharing Presentations Securely via Slidebeam
If you want to keep things interactive—and don’t want files floating around—Slidebeam’s link sharing is your friend.
Shareable Link
- With your project open, click Share.
- Copy the public link.
Risks:
- Anyone with the link can view your slides, unless you set extra controls.
- Once it’s out in the wild, you can’t “un-send” it.
Password Protection
- In the Share menu, look for Password protect (depends on your plan).
- Set a strong, unique password. Don’t use “1234” or your company name.
- Share the password in a separate message or call—never in the same email as the link.
Reality check:
- Passwords are better than nothing, but if your client forwards both the link and password, it’s not really secure.
- If you need real confidentiality, see “Extra Security” below.
Team or Client-Specific Access
- Some Slidebeam plans let you invite specific people by email.
- Only those people can access the presentation (they’ll need to create a free Slidebeam account).
- Track who’s viewed your slides, revoke access, or remove users if needed.
Drawbacks:
- Clients may grumble about having to sign up for Slidebeam—warn them ahead of time.
- Not all plans support this; check your subscription.
Step 4: Sending Files Safely
If you exported a PDF or PowerPoint, don’t just attach it blindly to an email. Take a minute to think about:
Email Attachments
- Most email services choke on large files (over 20-25MB).
- Attachments can get blocked or lost in spam filters.
- If you must email, always password-protect sensitive PDFs (Adobe Acrobat can do this).
Cloud Storage Links
- Upload your file to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box.
- Set sharing permissions to “Anyone with the link can view,” or restrict to specific email addresses for more control.
- Turn on download restrictions if you only want the client to view, not save.
Pro tip:
Send a short email with the link, and make sure your permissions are set right before clicking send. Test the link yourself in a private browsing window.
Step 5: Protecting Confidential or Sensitive Content
If you’re sharing investor decks, client strategies, or anything that matters, don’t trust “security through obscurity.” Here’s what actually helps:
- Use password protection on both Slidebeam links and PDF files.
- Restrict access by email whenever possible.
- Avoid putting highly sensitive info in slides—if you wouldn’t want it on the front page of the internet, don’t put it in a deck you’re sharing.
- Watermark your slides (Slidebeam offers basic watermarking on some plans).
- Track views and downloads if your plan supports it, so you know who’s seen your material.
Ignore:
- Overhyped “military-grade encryption” claims on marketing pages—it’s mostly just standard HTTPS. Focus on who can access your stuff, not the buzzwords.
Step 6: Following Up and Revoking Access
- If you gave out a link and need to “take it back,” you can delete or unpublish the presentation in Slidebeam.
- For cloud storage, remove share links or change permissions after the project wraps up.
- Don’t forget to remind your client to delete old files if they’re highly confidential.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
- Sending the wrong file version: Always double-check you’re sending the latest export.
- Broken formatting in exports: Open your PDF or PPTX before sending. If it looks off, tweak your Slidebeam design or try exporting again.
- Client can’t access: Test your link (or file) in a private/incognito browser window to see what your client sees.
- Access expires too soon: Make sure your sharing permissions won’t automatically shut off before your client is done.
Keeping It Simple (and Sane)
Securely sharing Slidebeam presentations isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little forethought. Decide how you want clients to access your work, pick the right export or sharing option, and use passwords or restricted access when it matters. Don’t get lost in the weeds—most clients just want to open the deck and get on with their day. Keep it simple, check your links, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback so you can tweak your process next time. Every project gets easier.