Trying to be different can be so time consuming when presenting. At the end of the day, the presentation needs to efficiently display the data and reiterate to the audience what you are trying to communicate. Most importantly you don’t want to atrophy all your potential customers brains!
Add other variables such as, you don’t know what kind of audio visual presentation system you will be working; how good is the venue etc – that in effect you need to consider the visual aspects of the presentation design never mind the content.
So when you are making that next foray into using PowerPoint consider the following:
· Use a white background. It makes data stand out and also helps to obliterate any marks on that presentation screen
· Use easy to read and large text (nothing less that 24pt, with headlines 36pt) and make the colour extremely contrastable to the background
· Use bold photos and graphics – they say more than a few lines of text. If they are funny more the better
· Make sure your slides are branded. The last thing you want is people to remember your presentation but not necessarily who you are or where you are from
· Keep bullet points to a minimum and remember they are an aid for the audience and it won’t make your slide look it has been hit by a machine gun
· Keep the file size small so it is easy to email and transfer. The last thing you want, is you need 10 minutes to transfer the file which is then too clunky for it to work properly
· Build up to your conclusion and where appropriate make it dramatic. Don’t leave the audience flat. Controversy is good
· Keep flashy changes to a minimum or easier – just remove them all. The line by line advance looks good but is not needed and disrupts flow
· Embed your graphics, animation video etc and tell the AV people that there is video in the presentation and it needs audio
· If there are lots of multi-media things in your presentation, tell the event organiser in good time so that they can co-ordinate with the AV team to get the right kit in the right place for you
They may seem like simple things, but all to often they are overlooked and could result in a really good presentation just being average. At Merklands we advise all speakers who are contributing to consider these points and many more beside. We want the speakers make that slick presentation and hit the spot and prevent mass ‘Death by PowerPoint’.
Calum McCallum || Managing Director || Merklands Events & PR
Note || Merklands Events & PR is a multi-service consultancy organising events and managing public relations for our clients. Merklands organises everything from business-to-business conferences and exhibitions to product launches and gala events. Merklands have the right team on board to deliver your community, political or public engagement by using all forms of media to communicate and manage what you want to achieve.
Merklands Events & PR is a consultancy organising events and managing public relations for our clients. Merklands organises everything from business-to-business conferences and exhibitions to product launches and gala events. Merklands also advise businesses how best to use their resources and assist them to make the best out of their events and communications strategy for delivery. For more information on how we can help you please contact us.