PowerPoint presentations that don’t bore

You don’t have to bore your audience when delivering your presentation when you follow these hints and tips. Remember it is a spoken presentation so focus on speaking and listening and not on reading every word on the slide. Your goal is to capture and hold the attention of your audience.

• Focus on the audience. What is their background, knowledge and experience? What do you want them to get out of the presentation? Do not over estimate their knowledge or experience of the subject. What is the general and specific action you want the listener to take?
• The message. What are the key points, sub points action points? Don’t try to do too much.
• Templates. Be original, search Google for free PowerPoint templates.
• Keep it simple and avoid clutter. 1 thought or image per slide. Don’t use features of PowerPoint just because they are available.
• Number of slide. 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation.
• The text. Write in bullet points not complete sentences. Keep bullet points to about 6 words. Aim for no more than 20 words a slide.
• Make it readable. Use a font such as Arial or Verdana. Try to use 28 point size for body and 36-44 for titles. Go easy on capitals.
• Make it readable. Make sure there is enough contrast between the background and the text for example blue font on white background.
• Slide structure. Showing one point at a time will help the audience to concentrate and stops them reading ahead.
• Use wide margins on all sides to ensure those with an obstructed view of the screen can see everything.
• Graphs. Graphs are good as long as they are readable. Avoid too many gridlines and too much shading.
• If you need the same slide more than once, reproduce it where you need it rather than going back.
• The end. Use a conclusion slide, a question slide or a more information slide.
• Animation. Be consistent with your animation and avoid distractions.
• Avoid sound effects that can be distracting
• Spelling and grammar. Proof your presentation not just for spelling but also the repeated use of words.
• Do not read the slides out as if reading a report.
• Get attention. Use humour, stories, analogies, pictures, references and quotations to help listeners remember your main points.
• Easy on the graphics. Try to avoid cliché images just for the sake of putting in a picture.
• Always have a back up copy available and a backup plan in case technology fails.
• Don’t be tethered to the computer. Invest in a wireless mouse.
• Handouts are best given at the end. If you give them out at the start your audience will read them rather than listen to you and will also jump ahead.
• Talk to your audience not the screen.
• Finish on time.