Building a client deck from one prompt in Gamma when the meeting is in an hour
A single sentence and fifteen minutes. Gamma drafts the deck; I fix the parts that sound like a template.
I used to open a blank slide and panic. Now I type the brief into Gamma and argue with the result instead of staring at a cursor.
Step one: write the prompt like a brief, not a title. Deck for a logistics client: problem, our approach, three proof points, next step. Keep it under ten slides. Gamma wants the shape, not the keyword.
Step two: pick a theme and let it generate, then immediately change the first three slides yourself. The default deck reads like every other deck; your edits are what make it yours.
Step three: kill the filler slides. Gamma loves a thank-you and a vague about-us. Delete them. A deck that ends on the next step converts better than one that ends on a logo.
Step four: export to PowerPoint before the call. The web view is fine for editing; the file is what survives a bad connection.
The habit: I never start from blank now. Gamma is the draft; I am the editor. The hour I save goes to rehearsing the ask.
Gamma (gamma.app)
Best for: decks from a single prompt.
Key features: prompt to slides; inline AI text and images; export to PowerPoint.
Free plan: free tier with a few decks
Pricing: paid from around $10 a month.
Pros: fast first draft; presentable.
Cons: templates feel samey; editing past the draft is work.
My verdict: Gamma earns its keep on the days I have an hour, not a day.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Do I need design skills?
A: No. You need to edit the generic parts; the layout is handled.
Q: Can I use it with my own template?
A: You can apply themes; deep brand templates need more setup.
Q: Is the export reliable?
A: Yes to PowerPoint, which is what most calls expect anyway.