How to Present Designs with Placeholder Text to Clients

Presenting designs with Lorem Ipsum can be tricky. Clients may focus on the placeholder text instead of your design work. Here's how to handle client presentations effectively.

The Challenge

When clients see Lorem Ipsum, they often:

• Wonder what the text means
• Ask why the content isn't ready
• Focus on the wrong elements
• Miss the design's key features

Preparing Your Presentation

Set Expectations Early

Before showing mockups:

1. Explain Lorem Ipsum - Briefly mention it's placeholder text
2. State the purpose - Focus is on design, not content
3. Outline the process - Real content comes later
4. Answer questions proactively - Address common concerns

Script Your Introduction

Example opening:

"Before we dive in, you'll notice some Latin-looking text in these designs. This is called Lorem Ipsum—it's a standard placeholder used in the design industry. It helps us focus on the visual layout without getting distracted by the actual words. Think of it as 'design in progress' markers that will be replaced with your real content."

During the Presentation

Redirect Focus

When clients ask about the text:

"Great question! That's placeholder text we use to show how content will flow. Let's focus on [specific design element] for now—we can discuss content strategy separately."

Use Visual Aids

Highlight design elements instead of text:

• Arrows pointing to key features
• Colored overlays on important sections
• Annotations explaining design choices
• Comparison views showing variations

Address Content Concerns

If clients worry about content:

"I understand you're thinking about the actual words. That's an important next step! For now, this design shows the structure and visual hierarchy. Once you're happy with the layout, we'll work together on the content that fits perfectly."

When to Avoid Lorem Ipsum

High-Stakes Presentations

For critical presentations, consider:

• Sample content - Write brief realistic text
• Content templates - Use industry-appropriate examples
• Competitor content - Show how similar brands communicate

Stakeholder Reviews

Executive presentations may need:

• Real headlines and key messages
• Actual product names
• Brand-appropriate language
• Clear calls-to-action

Alternative Approaches

Meaningful Placeholders

Instead of Lorem Ipsum, try:

[Primary Headline Goes Here]
[Supporting text that describes the main value proposition]
[Call-to-action button text]

Content Blocks

Label sections clearly:

━━━ HERO SECTION ━━━
Main headline (50-70 characters)
Subheadline (100-150 characters)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Sample Content

Write quick examples:

• "Welcome to [Company]"
• "Discover our latest products"
• "Learn more about our services"

Client Communication Tips

Before the Meeting

• Send a brief email explaining Lorem Ipsum
• Include a link to a Lorem Ipsum explanation
• Set the agenda to focus on design elements

During Questions

Common questions and responses:

Q: "What does this text mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything specific—it's standard placeholder text used in design. Like 'sample text' but longer and more realistic-looking."

Q: "Why isn't the real content there?"

"We typically finalize design before content because layout decisions affect how content is written. This approach is actually more efficient."

Q: "When will we see real content?"

"Once you approve the design direction, we'll move into the content phase. Some clients write it themselves; others hire copywriters."

After the Meeting

• Send follow-up with design files
• Include notes about placeholder text
• Provide timeline for content integration

Managing Different Client Types

Technical Clients

They usually understand Lorem Ipsum. Focus on:

• Design rationale
• Technical implementation
• Responsive behavior

Non-Technical Clients

May need more explanation. Emphasize:

• Visual design elements
• Color and typography choices
• Overall feel and brand alignment

Marketing Clients

Often want to see real content. Consider:

• Using sample marketing copy
• Showing content variations
• Discussing content strategy separately

Best Practices Summary

Do's

1. ✅ Explain Lorem Ipsum upfront
2. ✅ Redirect focus to design elements
3. ✅ Provide context for placeholder text
4. ✅ Have real content ready for key sections
5. ✅ Follow up with clear next steps

Don'ts

1. ❌ Don't assume clients know what Lorem Ipsum is
2. ❌ Don't dismiss content questions
3. ❌ Don't use Lorem Ipsum in final reviews
4. ❌ Don't forget to replace before handoff
5. ❌ Don't let placeholder text overshadow design discussion

Conclusion

Presenting designs with Lorem Ipsum doesn't have to be awkward. By setting clear expectations, redirecting focus appropriately, and addressing client concerns professionally, you can keep presentations productive and design-focused.

Remember: Lorem Ipsum is a tool for designers, but clear communication makes it work for everyone involved in the project.