Creating Compelling PowerPoint Presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint is a commanding tool for creating visual screens for a presentation. Visuals created in PowerPoint and projected on a screen are often easier to see in a large room than information displayed on a flip chart. Using PowerPoint offers the following benefits:

Allows you to add emphasis to important concepts, helping to increase retention of information
Adds variety to your presentation
Makes it easier to display images, charts, or graphs possibly too complex for a flip chart.

Also, PowerPoint files can easily be shared with participants or others after the session. For more details on our presentation workshops call us on 888.815.0604.

Required Tools

To create and use a Microsoft PowerPoint file to support your presentation outline, you will need:

Microsoft Office PowerPoint software for Microsoft Windows or Macintosh OS
A Windows or a MAC computer equipped with the minimum hardware and software specifications for your version of PowerPoint
An LCD or DLP projector
A projection screen

Optionally, you may wish to add the following to your toolkit:

Storage media such as a USB memory stick or CD-R disc
An extension cord
A laser pointer for emphasis during the discussion of a PowerPoint slide.

Tips and Tricks

Use the following suggestions to enhance the benefit of your PowerPoint presentation.

Overall Appearance

Display only one major concept on each slide
Use short phrases or bullet points rather than paragraphs
Limit each line of text to no more than 7-8 words
Allow only 7-8 lines of text per slide
Use images sparingly; one or two per slide
Leave a good amount of blank space in your presentation
Create a title for each slide
Use effects, transitions animation, and sound very sparingly.

Fonts and Color

Use simple sans serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial for readability
Select a point size of 32 or larger for titles, and 20 points for body text
Use colors that work well together, such as yellow or white on a dark blue background.
Check the readability and visibility of your fonts and color choices with the lighting in the room in which you will present.

Preparation

Make sure to match your slides to the purpose of the presentation
Develop a template and stick to it for a consistent look and feel.

Computer

Check your equipment, computer settings, and room lighting in advance
Before your presentation, turn off screensavers, instant messaging, and email notifications
Make sure that your computer’s power management console will not automatically shut the system down after a set amount of time.

Creating a Plan B

While technology allows you to make great enhancements to a presentation, it also offers more opportunities for technical trouble. Here are some suggestions to keep your presentation moving along, even if the technology isn’t.

Make one or more backup copies of your PowerPoint file on the computer on which you plan to show the presentation.
Before the presentation, download and install the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer available at www.microsoft.com. In the event that your PowerPoint software won’t run, you will still be able to use the viewer to show your PowerPoint slides.
Copy your PowerPoint file onto a USB Drive. That way, if you have a computer problem, you can move the file to another one, if available.
Bring sufficient printed copies of your presentation for participants. If logistics prevent that, plan to have at least one copy available for photocopying on site.
If all else fails, write your key points on a flip chart.