The Importance of Using White Space... In Your Talks

Melinda Seckington

Sep 26, 2024 — 2 min read

The most important lesson I learnt from web design that I apply to my talks?

Understanding white space.

Here's why it matters:

In web design, white space isn’t just empty space for the sake of it. It’s the breathing room between elements: it’s the margins on the side of a page, it’s the empty lines between paragraphs, it’s the extra padding between components. Without white space, designs become cluttered and too busy. You need white space to help your users process the information you’re displaying.

The same applies to your talks.

Think about how you use white space:

In your slides

Just like in web design, you can use white space to ensure the content on your slide stands out and is easy to digest.

It’s about keeping things clean and simple. Too much text or images makes it hard for people to focus. By giving your content space to breathe, you help the audience focus on the message that matters. Even little things, like ensuring there’s enough space between lines of text, can make a huge difference in how people absorb information.

In your story

White space is just as important in storytelling. A good story needs room to breathe. You don't need to rush from one idea to the next. Build in moments for the audience to connect with what you’re saying, relate it to their own experiences, or help them reflect on what they’ve heard.

It’s not about packing in as much information as possible. It’s about creating space for the story to resonate. By pacing the story naturally, it becomes more engaging and memorable.

In your delivery

White space isn't just visual. It’s in how you speak, too. Pausing between key points gives your audience time to absorb your words. Those moments of silence act as literal breathing space for both you and the audience.

It helps them process the message rather than feeling overwhelmed by too much information at once. Rushing through content without pauses is like a slide full of text—it’s harder for people to digest. Pauses give you time to breathe, reset, and slow down, and your audience time to reflect and process.

In both web design and talks, white space is the invisible ingredient that ties everything together. It’s the difference between overloading people and guiding them smoothly through your ideas.

By allowing your message room to breathe...

... in your slides

... in your story

... and in your delivery

you can keep the audience's attention and leave them with a more impactful and lasting impression of what you’ve shared.

In talks, less is often more: white space makes all the difference.

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Need help with your talks? I provide 1:1 coaching sessions and team workshops about brainstorming talk ideas, CFP writing and creating talks. Reach out to me to discuss what you're looking for.