Improving your PowerPoint presentation

     I love creating PowerPoints! I find them especially helpful for speaking engagements or for the classes that I teach. I have also used them for conferences to keep the program and all key speakers on pace.

If designed well, they will not only help you to stay on task but will be educational and engaging for your audience. Your audiences’ eyes will be directed to important bits of information on each slide to help you drive home the message. People learn all kinds of ways, so making your PowerPoint esthetically pleasing will help those who are visual learners.

Make your PowerPoints simple, yet eye catching, and be consistent with your design. Above all, make sure you practice with your PowerPoint to make sure it flows well!

Improve your PowerPoint presentations by using these key help aids!

1. Simplify Content. Focus on conveying one key point per slide to avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. You can always have a handout with detailed information.

2. Use High-Quality Images: Incorporate relevant and high-resolution images to enhance visual appeal and help convey your message effectively. Use images that are free to use or use a pay per service.

3. Limit Text: To maintain audience engagement, use bullet points sparingly and opt for concise phrases or keywords instead of lengthy sentences. You can create PowerPoint presentations with only images and no words. The PowerPoint images are "notes" to trigger the next thought.

4. Choose Legible Fonts: Select easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and avoid using decorative fonts that may be difficult to read.

5. Consistent Design: Use the same color scheme, font styles, and slide layouts throughout your presentation to maintain a consistent design theme.

6. Add Visuals and Multimedia: Include charts, graphs, videos, and infographics to illustrate data and make your presentation more dynamic and engaging.

7. Practice Visual Hierarchy: Use visual hierarchy techniques such as font size, color contrast, and placement to emphasize essential points and guide the audience's attention. This refers to the arrangement or organization of visual elements in a design to convey a sense of importance and guide the viewer's attention. Visual hierarchy is commonly used to enhance the overall user experience and make the content more engaging and accessible.

8. Use Transitions Wisely: Incorporate subtle slide transitions and animations to enhance the flow of your presentation without distracting from the Content.

9. Practice Timing: Rehearse your presentation to ensure that your pacing is appropriate and that each slide is displayed for adequate time for audience comprehension.

10. Engage with the Audience: Encourage participation through interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions to foster engagement and interaction.

The KISS method (Keep It Short and Simple) works better than 20 bullet points per slide. Practice these key basics the next time you create your PowerPoint and successfully drive home your message!

 

Debra Lee | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger | Biz & Life Coach

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