Saturday, June 19, 2021

How to Make Great Startup Pitch Deck Presentations in Apple Keynote

How to Make Great Startup Pitch Deck Presentations in Apple Keynote

Apple's founder, Steve Jobs, made some of the most famous Keynote presentations of all time. Compelling narratives and striking visuals made his Apple Keynote presentations memorable. Learn what how to make a great Apple pitch deck in this article.

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Check out this premium keynote presentation pitch deck template. It is one of many compelling templates available through Envato Elements.

But let's say you're a novice or a budding entrepreneur. How can you build success into your startup pitch deck presentation? We’ve created six practical steps on how to make a great presentation in Keynote. They can help you win over potential investors.

We’ve also curated some of the best looking startup Keynote templates from Envato Elements. So, you won’t have trouble creating a pitch deck from scratch.

Let’s start getting your funding!

Why You Need a Standout Pitch Deck Design

Want to launch, scale, and expand your business? You must have interested investors lined up to support your financial needs. Getting investors to support your project isn't easy. This is especially true if your funding goals are large.

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A professional pitch deck can take your presentations further. Download this Keynote template on Envato Elements.

That's why a startup pitch deck is crucial to persuade investors. When you present your business idea, you need a visual guide. This helps your audience easily grasp and understand your ideas.

A great pitch deck Keynote presentation will help you create a gripping narrative. Hook your potential investors and keep them focused along the way. It'll also convey your thoughts and message more effectively. But how exactly do you create a pitch deck that stands out using Apple Keynote?

How to Make the Best Keynote Presentation

There are many ways how to make a great presentation in Keynote. You could build your Keynote presentation from the ground up. But there are amazing templates that you can customize too. Check out our step by step guide below.

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Check out this premium high-quality startup Keynote template from Envato Elements.

To get you started, we’ll use this high-quality pitch deck template: Manola Pitch Deck Keynote Presentation. Then, we'll make a few tweaks along the way. This will help you custommize your startup pitch deck for your brand.

Here are six steps to follow:

1. Hook Your Audience From the Start

The first two slides of your Apple Keynote presentation are where you'll create your first impression. It's an all-crucial rapport builder. Early at this stage, hook your potential investors. Use a compelling introduction to hype their interest. Then, proceed with your presentation.

So, how do you grab your audience's full and undivided attention? Stir their interest by enticing them with how your startup business can benefit them. Answer this top question of your investors: what's in it for me? You can also use this part to define the problem you want to address with your new business venture.

For example, Airbnb’s startup pitch deck commenced with a simple cover slide. It featured their logo and tagline. Then they immediately follow it up with three short sentences. It  analyzes the current gaps in the hospitality industry.

Identify the ProblemIdentify the ProblemIdentify the Problem
The sentences in this Keynote pitch deck identify the problem Airbnb hopes to solve.

A problem statement immediately stirs the interest of your audience. What do you want to address? What are the current pain points of the market? 

With a problem statement, your audience would instantly get curious. How will your startup business solve these problems? You can easily incorporate this approach into your own Keynote presentation:

Manola Pitch Deck Keynote PresentationManola Pitch Deck Keynote PresentationManola Pitch Deck Keynote Presentation
A problem statement can easily be added to your Keynote pitch deck with a premium option like this.

Simply tweak the Manola Pitch Deck Keynote Presentation template. List your problem statements. You can use icons beside each problem statement. This can make it more visually appealing.

2. Build a Cohesive Visual Story and Structure

A great Keynote presentation has a narrative. It's a narrative that your audience can easily follow too. But this story should be paired with a visual journey as well.

Usually, you can use a progressive plot. This includes a setting, conflict, rising action, climax, denouement, and an end. A progressive plot follows a chronological structure. It begins with the setting and conflict. Then there is a rising action to a climax. This culminates with a denouement—just like in literature.

To try this principle in your startup pitch deck, you can use the following:

  • Setting = Cover Slide. Introduce your company. Include logo, tagline, etc.

  • Conflict = Problem Statement. Describe the existing gap(s) in the market that you want to address.

  • Rising Action = Solution. How can your business solve the problem(s)?

UberCab ConceptUberCab ConceptUberCab Concept
This slide from Uber summarized how they would solve the problem they posed.

When Uber was still looking for investors, they made a startup pitch deck. It followed a progressive plot. The most incredible part of this pitch deck was their “UberCab Concept” slide. It summarizes how their business idea can solve the transportation problem.

  • Climax = Benefits & Competitive Advantage. What makes you different from similar businesses? What’s your edge?

  • Denouement = Forecasts. What’s your potential return on investment? What’s the future outlook of the company?

BuzzFeedBuzzFeedBuzzFeed
Buzzfeed pitch deck slide showing potential outcomes.

An example of the use of denouement is this pitch deck from BuzzFeed. Two slides before it ends, it's got this “How Big Can This Get” headline. It lists all the future outcomes that the company envisions to achieve and why it would be the next big thing.

  • End = Call to Action. What should the audience do after your presentation?

For each part, you can also assign different slide layouts. Move the positioning of your logo, texts, images, or add some graphics. This way, you can easily differentiate individual ideas. You can also categorize related parts of your Keynote presentation. 

Here is another example. Let's look at the startup pitch deck of LinkedIn. It combines a seamless narrative and visuals. It's a great example of how to make a pitch deck. It started with actual data on how people search for jobs.

LinkedIn Combining Narrative and VisualsLinkedIn Combining Narrative and VisualsLinkedIn Combining Narrative and Visuals
Slide from LinkedIn pitch deck using actual job search data.

Then it goes on to a slide explaining the implications of those data. It displays a problem statement and the existing gaps brought about by this problem.

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Problem statement slide from LinkedIn pitch deck.

Want to learn more about writing your cover slide, problem statement, and more? Study these five examples of great pitch decks.

3. Simplify Text With Typography and Iconography

Your content is a crucial element of your startup Keynote pitch deck. But don't go overboard by adding too much text to one slide. Instead of long sentences, only put phrases to simplify your message. You can further explain during your presentation.

You can also use typography to make texts more appealing. Typography is the art and technique of arranging text. We can use these ideas to make our text legible and appealing.

Text Heavy ExampleText Heavy ExampleText Heavy Example
The initial slide design can be tweaked to make it more interesting in premium options like this.
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The fonts in this premium slide here represent the concepts being depicted.

Check out this guide. It will help you reduce text-overload by using typography and iconography effectively.

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With the addition of icons to our premium Apple pitch deck slide, we've got a really eye-catching slide.

It’s also a good idea to replace texts with icons. Iconography can make your presentation Keynote design easier on the eyes.

4. Use a Consistent Color Palette

Don’t be afraid to use colors in your Keynote business presentation. Colors influence human perception and emotions. This gives them great impact on the decisions we make. It's an essential aspect of how to make amazing Keynote presentations. This is because colors give life and personality to your pitch deck.

It's recommended to use a color palette that aligns to your branding. This is to avoid association with your competitors. You want to stand out from your direct competitors and at the same time instill brand recall.

According to WebsiteSetup, here are the main factors to consider when picking color schemes:

  • your key demographic
  • gender of your audience members
  • your audience’s age
  • industry you operate in

To sum up: base your decisions on facts and data instead of intuition.

You can also use colors to categorize different bodies of your Keynote presentation. This also gives variety to your audience to ensure that they won’t get bored with a monotonous color. Check out the Manola Pitch Deck template. You can easily alter the colors on each slide and design a harmonious color palette.

Harmonious Color PaletteHarmonious Color PaletteHarmonious Color Palette
Notice the difference an extra color can make in this premium Keynote pitch deck slide.

5. Visualize Your Data

You'll always encounter data when you're creating a startup Keynote presentation. You don’t want to simply put numbers in there.

Some of the best startup pitch presentations visualize their data. They communicate insights from data through charts and graphs. This will also enable your audience to explore your data from different perspectives. Visualizing data can help you identify patterns. It can also help you understand large amounts of information very quickly.

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Charts help your investors grasp data concepts quickly. We can see it in this premium Apple deck example.

Want to read more about visualizing your data? Check out this tutorial on customizing charts, maps, and other data.

6. Close With an Actionable Ending

End your Apple Keynote presentation with a clear and compelling call to action (CTA). You want your potential investors to make a favorable response.

This is the last chance for you to seal the deal. Make this section count. Create a memorable CTA that'll continue the conversation. For example, you can direct them to your website. You could encourage them to sign up for your newsletter, or download your latest app.

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A call to action is an important part of a pitch deck, and premium Keynote pitch decks include great options.

This is exactly how Foursquare ended its startup pitch deck. They've included some exciting trivia that'll surely make their exit more memorable. Plus, they closed it by encouraging their audience to sign up by visiting their website.

Foursquare Pitch DeckFoursquare Pitch DeckFoursquare Pitch Deck
Foursquare's final pitch deck slide include a call to action to sign up.

5 Top Modern Pitch Deck Apple Keynote Templates for 2021

Designing your Apple Keynote presentation from scratch can be tedious. Why not try a professional startup pitch presentation template?

Solidemo - Pitch Deck Keynote PresentationSolidemo - Pitch Deck Keynote PresentationSolidemo - Pitch Deck Keynote Presentation
With a premium startup Keynote template you save tons of time. Then you can focus more on practicing your presentation delivery.

You've got a variety of startup pitch presentation templates out there. Envato Elements has some of the most amazing Startup pitch deck Keynote templates. They are perfect for  making a winning startup pitch presentation. With just a single subscription, you get unlimited access to 1,300,000+ digital assets. We repeat: that’s unlimited download for one subscription.

Envato ElementsEnvato ElementsEnvato Elements
With Envato Elements you get access to hundreds of the best premium pitch deck presentation templates and over 1.3 million other design assets.

This gives you the freedom to create any business presentation you may need. With unlimited downloads, it's all included. Freely download and experiment!

Ready to get started? Check out these handpicked, best premium startup Keynote templates:

1. Pitchus - Pitch Deck Presentation 

Pitchus Apple deckPitchus Apple deckPitchus Apple deck

Want to know how to make a great presentation in Keynote? Starting with an Apple pitch deck like Pitchus is a great way to begin. This one has five dozen sleek modern slides to help pitch your big idea.

This one has vector graphics throughout. This stylish design is easy to customize. That’s the perfect combo to help you make a great impression.

2. Ambize - Pitch Deck Keynote 

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Ambize is another winning pitch Apple deck option for 2021. It's got a modern vibe, using black and white tones throughout. The widescreen slide designs look great on any large display.

Text and other content can be edited quickly, saving you precious time. You’ll be able to focus solely on your message, rather than the tedious work of slide design.

3. Reven - Pitch Deck Keynote Presentation

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Ready to make a winning startup pitch deck presentation? Try this Apple Keynote template. Its bold color and striking visuals can make an impact. This template is 100% customizable. 

4. Union – Pitch Deck Keynote Template

Union Keynote pitch deck templateUnion Keynote pitch deck templateUnion Keynote pitch deck template

This startup Keynote template has it all. It combines all the necessary elements for you to build a great presentation. You can fully customize this template for a memorable Keynote presentation. This presentation is Ideal for many types of organizations too. 

5. Pitch Deck Start Up Keynote Template

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This Keynote presentation template has a modern look. It embodies both functional and aesthetic features. Its versatile design can perfectly be applied to any industry. Choose from a variety of easily editable slides.

You can also find more templates here: 25 Best Keynote Pitch Deck Templates (Business Plan Presentation Designs). It contains some visually stunning Keynote presentation templates.

More Great Templates for Apple Keynote Designs

Keynote pitch decks are so much easier when you use templates like the ones you saw in this article. We love sharing great templates that make it easier to build a pitch that launches you to success.

See more of the best Apple premium deck templates below. Each of the designs gives you new options for Keynote presentations, and some might even work as Keynote pitch decks!

5 Keynote Pitch Deck Trends for 2021

So, you're exploring how to make a great presentation in Keynote. The technical side of an Apple pitch deck is just half the battle. Your Apple presentation deck needs to look impressive too. A Keynote pitch deck that works well but looks unprofessional won't be a success. Where do you start?

Here's a look at some of the popular Apple presentation deck trends for Keynote in 2021. Keep your project's aesthetics in mind. But these trends can be great design inspiration. Try them out in your next Apple slide deck or presentation:

1. Work With Clean, Open Spaces

There's no need to over pack your slides with content. Instead, leave some empty space. In design theory, this is often called "negative space". The space occupied with content is called "positive space". You should have a good balance of both. 

Generous, open space is a strong design choice. It's also a trendy look for Apple pitch deck designs in 2021. Check out this Keynote pitch deck template below. There's plenty of content on each slide. This is balanced with plenty of clean, open space where there's no content. 

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Clean, open space makes for a trendy aesthetic. Download this Keynote pitch deck template on Envato Elements.

2. Beautiful, Eye Catching Photography

Photography can communicate a lot of ideas in your Apple slide deck. Adding imagery is a large part of how to make a great presentation in Keynote. Choose images that relate to the topic, but do so in a visually interesting way.

Photography is especially important if you're showing off a product, prototype, or idea. This is your chance to visually show off your work or concept.

But maybe this doesn't suit your topic. You can still benefit from large, high quality photography. Choose photos that help push your narrative. Stylish designs often use photos to help craft their narrative. This Keynote pitch deck template is a good example.

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Use photography to help push the narrative in your Apple pitch deck. This template is available on Envato Elements.

3. Illustrate Data With Visual Infographics

Does your Keynote Apple deck contain data?

Then you may benefit from using infographics in your presentation. Infographics help reinforce your information. They also help communicate your information in a secondary way. This can help make your data easier to understand and more memorable too.

There are so many creative ways to illustrate your data with infographics. Sleek, stylish infographics with geometric inspiration are often quite popular. Take a look at these examples, from this Keynote pitch deck template.

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Infographics are a great way to visualize data in your Apple deck. Download this template on Envato Elements.
Want to check out some more examples of infographics in Keynote? Here's a collection of free infographics and templates you can download now. 
 

4. Take Inspiration From Magazine Design and Social Media

Don't limit your visual inspiration to Keynote presentations. Many stylish Keynote pitch deck template designs take inspiration from other media.

For example, take a look at this trendy Apple pitch deck. We can see distinct influence here from magazine spreads. There's also some visual inspiration from social media platforms, like Instagram. This approach is quite trendy in 2021.

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Try a trendy style inspired by magazine layout design. Download this Keynote pitch deck template now on Envato Elements.

5. Sleek, Stylish, Modern Design is on Trend in 2021

Modern design is a trendy aesthetic for Keynote pitch deck design. It really embodies all the points we've mentioned. If you'd like to try this look in your own Apple presentation deck, here are some key points to try:

  • Try working with sans serif fonts. They're a big part of this look. Serif fonts can work. If you want to try a serif, try pairing it with a smaller sans serif font too.
  • Keep things clean. This aesthetic tends to have generous, open spaces. 
  • Geometry goes well with this look. For example, you can keep things blocky, like we see in this Keynote pitch deck template. 
  • Less is more. This modern look and feel often treads into minimalism territory.

Keep in mind that these are design suggestions and ideas, not rules. The best Keynote pitch deck for your project should be tailored to your project's needs.

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A modern Keynote pitch deck template, like this one from Envato Elements, can be a stylish and versatile choice.
Want to see some more modern Keynote design inspiration? Check out this collection of designs. There are plenty of stylish directions you could try.
 

Common Apple Keynote Questions Answered (FAQ)

Have questions about how to make a great presentation in Keynote? Here are some common questions that users often have. They might help you as you work on your own Apple presentation deck.

1. Can I Collaborate With Others on My Keynote Pitch Deck?

Yes, you can! Thanks to iCloud, you can collaborate and share your Keynote project with others. This way, you can work on your project with more than one person.

Click on your project's file name. Then, in the drop-down, choose iCloud. Click on the Collaborate menu, and you'll be able to select Add People. You'll be able to choose from different share options here. Choose the one that works best for your project.

Want a visual walkthrough? Here's a free guide to help you through the process:

2. Can You Convert Keynote Presentations to Other File Types?

Yes, you can convert Keynote presentations to many different file types. This can be convenient for use in other software environments. Here's a look at some of the possibilities:

  • Microsoft Power Point (PPTX or PPT)
  • Google Slides
  • PDF
  • Flat Images

Curious about how to convert your Keynote presentation? Check out this walkthrough. It'll help you figure out how to do it.

3. How Do I Use Slide Transitions in Keynote?

There are a few different ways to add animations and transitions in Keynote. You can even have objects animate between different slides with Magic Move. Turn to the Animate panel to experiment with these options. There, you can customize your animation with things like the duration and fade. 

Want to see this done, step by step? Check out this walkthrough. It's got both a written and video tutorial to help you create your own transition effects.

4. How Do I Add Pictures or Backgrounds in Keynote?

Start by clicking on the Media button. Then, from the options displayed, select Choose. This way, you'll be prompted to choose a file from your computer. Navigate to your file, select it, and click Insert. It's that simple!

There are extra ins and outs to this, of course. Want to learn more about working with images in Keynote? Take a look at this free tutorial:

5. Can You Add Video or Music Files to Keynote Presentations?

Yes, you can add other media file types to your Keynote presentation too. Keep file size in mind here. Videos, for example, can be pretty large files. Embedding a large video could really increate the size of your Keynote file.

The process is like adding images. Return to the Media button again. Then, select Choose. Again, we're selecting this option so we can choose a file from our computer. Select your file, and then click Insert. It's simple, right?

These media files do come with some extra concerns. Check out this tutorial for even more info on audio and video in Keynote.

Where to Find the Best Startup Keynote Pitch Deck Templates in 2021 (Envato Elements vs. GraphicRiver)

Envato Elements and GraphicRiver offer amazing Keynote pitch deck templates with beautiful modern designs. So, which site should you choose? It helps to consider the key advantages of each:  

1. Top Benefits of Envato Elements

Envato Elements is a membership-based resource for creative assets. For a flat monthly rate, you unlock unlimited downloads. That’s a compelling offer.

Download as many Keynote pitch deck templates as you want. Plus, you’ll also find fonts, stock photos, music, and much more. With thousands of options for Keynote templates, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your project.

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The best Keynote pitch deck templates on Envato Elements, a premium marketplace (2021).

2. Top Benefits of GraphicRiver (& Envato Market)

GraphicRiver offers single downloads for purchase. That means you can find an Apple deck template and buy it—no membership required. You’ll also find a vast array of other creative content.

As a single-use marketplace, GraphicRiver helps you start projects quickly. Check out the top Keynote templates trending on GraphicRiver today.  

GraphicRiver Keynote pitch deckGraphicRiver Keynote pitch deckGraphicRiver Keynote pitch deck
The best premium Keynote pitch deck templates on GraphicRiver (2021).

Your Choice (Which Site to Choose?)

If you build Apple decks often, or need a lot of creative flexibility, Envato Elements is the best choice. Unlimited downloads offer unlimited opportunities to explore and customize new layouts. Join Elements today!

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Envato Elements: one membership, unlimited options.  

If you simply need to build a stunning Keynote pitch deck for your company, check out GraphicRiver. It offers amazing content at great rates. 

Learn More About How to Make the Best Keynote Presentations and Pitch Decks

Want to learn more about making great pitch decks? Check out this guide: How to Make Great Pitch Decks (Startup Presentation Guide). It curates all your need-to-know tips and practical recommendations.

How to Quickly Customize Startup Pitch Deck Keynote Templates (For 2021)

We’ve explored the best Keynote pitch deck templates available from Envato Elements. Now it’s time to customize one to build your own startup pitch Apple deck. Let’s learn how, in just five quick steps.

Follow this mini-tutorial by downloading this beautiful premium Apple pitch deck from Envato Elements.

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Download this premium Apple pitch deck Keynote template today.

Let's get started:

1. Arrange Your Slides

An Apple pitch deck template is meant to be flexible. They work for all kinds of businesses. Choose only the slides you need to make your own pitch Apple deck.

In Keynote, click View and then Light Table. You’ll see every slide in your Keynote pitch deck laid out in front of you. Click and drag to reorder the slides. 

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Rearrange slides with Light Table in your premium Keynote template to get them in perfect order.

You can also hold down Command and click to select unwanted slides. Press Delete on your keyboard and they’ll be removed from the Apple deck.

When you’re finished, go back to View and click Navigator to start editing.

2. Add Your Text

Chances are your Apple pitch deck is going to include a lot of text. Luckily, it’s perhaps the easiest thing to edit in Keynote.

Begin by highlighting the text you see on any slide. From there, go ahead and start typing. Your words will replace the dummy text.

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Customizing text is easy with a premium Apple pitch deck from Envato Elements.

Want to change aspects like font size and color? With the Format > Text sidebar open on the right side, those options and many more are just a click away.

3. Import Images

Images should always come to mind when you think of how to make a great presentation in Keynote. An Apple deck like the one we’re using makes adding them a breeze. Begin by finding an image placeholder on a slide. You’ll recognize these by finding the photo icon in the lower right.

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Drag and drop to add images to your premium Apple deck.

Then, simply drag a saved image over your slide and drop it into place. Keynote will import the photo automatically, sizing and scaling it to fit perfectly.

4. Customize Infographics

Infographics are key ingredients in any successful Keynote pitch deck. In essence, they’re visuals that help illustrate ideas. Many templates like this Apple pitch deck have them built-in! 

Infographics look like magic to your audience. Luckily for you, there’s nothing special about editing them. In fact, they’re easy to use to impress without spending extra time! 

Infographic Apple deckInfographic Apple deckInfographic Apple deck
Illustrate your ideas with infographics from premium templates in your next Keynote pitch deck.

For this one, simply change out the text and numbers to include your specific data. It’s as easy as that. Premium templates take care of the hard design work for you.

5. Change Shape Colors

Changing shape colors is a quick way to style your Apple pitch deck. It’s also a great way to create a deck that matches your branding.

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Custom shape colors help you match your premium Apple pitch deck to your branding.

With an object selected, go to the Format > Style sidebar on the right. You’ll see an array of options. To change a shape color, click on the Fill dropdown. 

From here, browse through theme colors included with the template. Or launch the full color chooser menu to apply custom colors.

Nail Your Keynote Presentation & Get That Funding

A perfectly crafted Keynote presentation doesn't need a complicated process to follow. We've shown you easy-to-follow tips and best practices. From making a bold first impression to ending it with a positive response—you can create an Apple Keynote presentation that seals the deal.

You don't have to worry about making it from scratch. Feel free to use the three best pitch templates we've included above. If you want to see more Apple Keynote presentation template designs that match your brand, then visit Envato Elements. With one subscription, you get unlimited downloads. This includes a wide variety of design assets including images, icons, templates, and more.

There are also awesome startup pitch presentation templates on GraphicRiver. They are a one-time download. It's a great choice for single downloads. Check out the highly customizable content there too.

Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally published in August of 2019. It's been comprehensively revised to include new information—with special help from Andrew Childress and Daisy Ein


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