Effective PowerPoints

Hey guys! – We know you’ve all used PowerPoint before at one time or another in your high school or college education, but did you ever think about how effective your presentation was? We found these tips from Jeff Wuorio on Microsoft’s website on the Do’s and Don’ts of PowerPoint!

1.) Hold up your end with compelling material – Make sure you have great slides in your presentation, but ya gotta make sure that what you’re SAYING is just as good! We liked this quote from the article: "PowerPoint doesn't give presentations — PowerPoint makes slides," says Matt Thornhill, president of Audience First.

2.) Keep it simple – Those flashy animations and overwhelming slides were okay in high school, but in the real world, keep it to a minimum! “Some authorities suggest no more than five words per line and no more than five lines per individual slide,” Wuorio says.

3.) Minimize numbers in slides – Lots of numbers on the screen will make many in your audience lose interest, only use numbers when you have to… and try to use pictures, charts, or graphs wherever you can!

4.) Don’t parrot PowerPoint – This one is a real pet peeve of ours. I’m sure you’ve been watching a speech where the speaker seems to be reading you a story – Don’t just read what’s on the screen, people!

5.) Time your remarks – give everyone a sec to check out the new slide before you start talking. Let the images sink in for a more compelling effect.

6.) Give it a rest – put up a blank slide every once in a while and
move the people with your words. =]

7.) Use vibrant colors – make sure the audience is looking at something eye-catching.

8.) Import other images and graphics – add in some video or other effects outside of just WordArt…

9.) Distribute handouts at the end – not during the presentation – Do you really want to speak to the tops of people’s heads as they read your handout? Didn’t think so.

10.) Edit ruthlessly before presenting – watch your presentation as if you’re an audience member. Bored? They probably will be, too.

Here's a video you might wanna check out, too.

There ya go, guys! Hopefully this helps you out next time you’ve got a presentation coming up, in a club, organization, or in the workplace. PowerPoint can be an awesome tool, as long as you use it right!


Sources: PowerPoint Tips – 10 Do’s and Don’ts. Jeff Wuorio. http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/ArticleReader/website/default.aspx?Print=1&ArticleId=Powerpointtips.

YouTube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BP2HlNmRJ4