By Marion Grobb,
Director Communications, D Comm, CFPSA, Ottawa
(613) 996-6826, grobb.marion@cfpsa.com
Have you ever been to a PowerPoint presentation that just about killed you with boredom? Over the years, I’ve died a thousand such deaths and have probably caused a few “casualties” myself. Since then, I’ve learned many ways to enhance PowerPoint presentations and would like to share some of those tips with you:
-
Begin with a great presentation. No matter how beautiful your PowerPoint slides are, they will not hide a bad presentation. Make sure you know what you want the participants to do, feel or think – and then structure your presentation to bring them there.
-
Use the “rule of 7”. No more than seven lines (not bullets), seven words each. Even better, use the “rule of 5”!
-
Make sure they can read it. Suggested font size is 36. If the person at the back of the room can’t read your slides, your presentation is lost.
-
Be “animated”. Use animated bullets so each point comes up individually versus a whole slide of information at once (go “slide show”, then “custom animation”).
-
Avoid the “kiss of death” – reading verbatim. Use only key words for your bullets and then elaborate in your verbal presentation. If all you’re doing is reading, they don’t need you – just give them a handout and save them and you some time.
-
Get out from behind the podium. You will better connect with your audience by being closer to them. Combine this with good eye contact and gestures, and your presentation is more likely to be effective.
|
|
|
These are just a sampling of the tips I use regularly. Try them for your next presentation and you'll be on your way to being a strong communicator — and sparing your grateful audience, "death by PowerPoint".
Editor’s Note:
Marion Grobb is Director Communications at CFPSA, an author, a Toastmaster and a member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. She will be sharing her expertise through a series of articles.
