When done correctly, the use of visuals during a presentation can be a powerful technique. It can make your presentation more memorable and it is a great way to convey your ideas to your audience. While visuals can be an excellent way to present information, they can easily take your presentation from wow to woe if you fall into a visual trap. Here are a few traps to avoid when using visuals in your presentation.
Using Bullet Points
Bullet points are often used in presentations because they are easy and convenient to use. However, the fact is bullet points are a highly ineffective method for presenting information. It is very unlikely that your audience will remember the information that was addressed using bullet points.
Asking Your Audience To Read A Lot
One of the worst visual aids is one that is designed to be a document. The audience will quickly lose interest if asked to read lengthy slides not to mention that they are difficult to see. Using a lot of text in your visuals is ineffective and will distract the audience. While you are speaking and delivering pertinent information, they are going to be busy reading the slide.
Using Clipart Or Other Corny Stock Imagery
Not only are these pictures outdated, but they are extremely unprofessional.  You might have a fantastic presentation but you will quickly lose credibility if you use these types of images in your visuals. These images do not help to convey your message and they will likely leave your audience unimpressed.
Complicated Diagrams
One of the easiest ways to confuse and bore your audience is to display a complicated diagram in your slides. They are difficult to understand and they will have your audience giving up before you even have a chance to explain it. It is a confusing way to present information and the audience will take nothing away from it.
Explaining Your Point In The Slide
Presenters might think it’s a good idea to reiterate their point by putting it on the slide but the fact is, once the audience has read the slide they get the point and are no longer listening to you. Unless you have fantastic presentation skills that can continue to captivate the audience, they will likely disengage. Do not take away from role of the presenter by explaining your point in the slide.
The next time you design a presentation with visual aids, make sure you do not fall into one of these disastrous traps. Visual aids should work with the presenter, not against them.  Do not let poor visuals get in the way of an otherwise dynamic presentation. Think about each visual you choose and make sure it will convey your point without distracting your audience.
