Are you looking to rehabilitate a bad presentation? If you’re nodding your head at that question, you need to take a good, hard look at your slide presentations!
Presentations are what help you communicate with your colleagues, clients, and even your boss. It’s through these slides that you can prove your understanding and put your best foot forward.
But what happens when these presentations need help? It all comes down to your PowerPoint.
This article covers the dos and don’ts of your presentations. Continue reading below to learn everything you’ll want to know about presenting a PowerPoint.
Stay Concise
It is important to stay concise when making a PowerPoint presentation. These dos include the following:
- sticking to your main points
- only including essential information
- utilizing graphics and visuals
- utilizing the white space
The don’ts include adding too much content, having dense blocks of text, adding too many slides, and going off-topic. If you want to make an impactful presentation, you need to make sure that it remains focused on your main points.
Bold and Direct
Do keep the slides focused and direct to your main topic. Make sure images are associated correctly, with simple slides that boldly tell the presenter’s story. Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much text or irrelevant images.
Use the animation function sparingly when necessary, as well as transitions that do not detract from the idea you are delivering. Lastly, do your research, and ensure any quotes are up to date. Doing all this will ensure your presentation is bold and direct and keep your audience engaged and informed.
Use Bullets and Numbered Lists
Bullet points and numbered lists should break down the key ideas into smaller segments to ensure the audience understands the points being made. Avoid overusing bullet and numbered lists; use enough to articulate the key points but don’t go overboard. It is advised to make sure the bullet points are easy to read; use large font sizes, and keep the text simple.Â
Don’t Just Read the Slides
Do prepare and practice your presentation before delivering. A major don’t is to just read the slides. Reading the slides straight through can cause the presentation to come off as monotonous.Â
Don’t Overdo the Special Effects
Too many transitions can be distracting and make it difficult for the audience to follow. Instead, focus on visuals that support your content, conveying ideas in a meaningful way. Don’t use sound effects, as they can take away from the point you’re trying to make.
Don’t Overuse Statistics
It is important to avoid overusing statistics in the presentation as it can be overwhelming for the audience. Avoid using more than one chart in a PowerPoint slide, as it can make the slide look cluttered.
Never use a larger font than necessary to relay statistical information, as this distracts from the main point of the presentation. You can use diagrams such as fishtail diagrams and Venn diagrams Powerpoint presentation.
Follow These Do’s and Don’ts of Presenting a PowerPoint
Presenting a PowerPoint with confidence is key to effectively communicating your message. Use the dos and don’ts given to make sure you understand how to plan a presentation and communicate effectively. When done correctly, you’ll have a professional presentation that achieves your goal. So what are you waiting for?
Try using the tips in this article to create an impactful presentation!
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