PowerPoint Presentation Tips

4 minutes read

@ wikihow.com

When it comes to creating an effective PowerPoint presentation, there are several key strategies to consider.

Create Your Narrative

Decide what you want your audience to learn. Before you begin, it is essential to determine the main takeaway message or information you wish to convey. This should be a clear focal point that supports all other information in your presentation. For academic presentations, this is akin to your thesis statement, while for business-related presentations, it could pertain to the product or service you are advocating. Preparation is crucial; organize your content before diving into the presentation software.

Boil your information down. Focus on retaining only the most critical information. If you have extensive text, distill it to the essential points. For example, instead of presenting a tedious graph on the increase of internet users, you could state a compelling statistic: “The number of internet users has tripled in the last decade, now reaching 3 billion.” This approach makes your content more engaging and concise, reducing the risk of your presentation becoming too lengthy or rambling.

Plan out your structure. With your key information in mind, outline the structure of your presentation. Aim to draft both your speech and slides on paper beforehand. The structure for academic presentations typically mirrors an academic paper: introduce your main point, support it with evidence, and conclude succinctly. For business presentations, consider Guy Kawasaki’s suggested structure:
- The Problem
- Your Solution
- Business Model
- Underlying Magic/Technology
- Marketing and Sales
- Competition
- Team
- Projections and Milestones
- Status and Timeline
- Summary and Call to Action

Streamline text. Your PowerPoint slides should enhance your presentation rather than merely accompany it. Avoid reading directly from your slides; instead, use them to highlight key points succinctly. Minimizing text and utilizing bullet points can make information easier for your audience to digest.

Give handouts. If your slides can’t encompass all the necessary details, consider creating one or two-page handouts for your audience. These can summarize key points from each slide and provide additional information for later reference.

Use informative graphics. Engaging graphics can significantly enhance a PowerPoint presentation. They can help convey complex information visually, such as charts and graphs. Ensure that any graphics you choose add value to your presentation rather than distract from your message.

Cut unnecessary sounds and visuals. Be careful not to include distractions such as excessive animations, clip art, or cluttered backgrounds. These elements can detract from your message and impede your audience’s ability to absorb the information.

Practice. Devote ample time to rehearse your presentation. Ensure that your speech aligns seamlessly with your slides. Being well-prepared will help you manage your timing effectively, especially if you opt for an automated presentation flow.

Present as if there were no PowerPoint. Use your slides as a supplementary tool rather than a crutch. By focusing on being an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, you will captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.

Get to the point. Avoid unnecessary elaboration and stick to what matters. Share essential information through bullet points and expand upon them verbally rather than reading lengthy paragraphs. Remember, presentations should ideally be no longer than 20 minutes to maintain engagement.

Be inspiring. Strive to inspire your audience by fostering an emotional connection to your material. This connection will enhance their investment in your presentation and improve information retention. Show your audience why the topic is relevant to their lives, drawing parallels to current events or personal experiences.

{width=“36” height=“36”} Genesis Gallegos
Feb 20, 2017
“Wow, it gives deep information and describes in detail all the procedures of the main points.”