Powerful PowerPoint Presentations

Creating Your Presentation

• Always create an opening slide with the title of your presentation, and perhaps a relevant graphic, along with your full name.
• Use a template that complements your subject.
• SmartArt adds to the presentation when you want to show your words graphically.
• As with any presentation, use the three-pronged rule
  • tell ’em what you’re going to tell ’em
  • tell ’em
  • then tell ’em what you told ’em.
• Always use an objectives or agenda slide (for a preview) and a summary or conclusion slide.
• Remember the 6×6 Rule. . . six words per line, six lines per slide, never more than that.
• Don’t use sounds in your presentation. They may sound cute when you are rehearsing it, but they are distracting to your audience.
• Be consistent with the types of animation you use to introduce your bullet points. Or better yet, don’t use animation or fancy transitions.
• Stick to one graphic style throughout your presentation.
• Use Flickr as a source for photos to include. Look for ones with Creative Commons licenses.
• Want to see the World’s Worst PowerPoint?

Delivering Your Presentation

• Never let your audience see you navigate to your file. Have the projector’s picture muted until you are ready to show your slides.
• Speak to your audience, not the screen or monitor.
• Practice using the laser pointer (if you’re using one).
• When you’re not using your presentation, press B to blacken (or W to whiten) the screen. This helps the audience to focus on you, not the screen.
• If using YouTube video clips, pre-load them so that they are ready to go. Or use Tooble to download the videos, so there’s not a fear of the Internet lag.

Additionally, here are some general tips I share in my public speaking classes.