PowerPoint slides are among the most commonly used visuals in most business presentations. Slideshows are easy to produce and effective for injecting visual interest into the presentation. However, slideshows can also be disastrous when not used effectively. The key to success is making sure your slides are a visual aid and not a visual distraction. Here are some techniques to help you create slides that leave a lasting impression.
1. Keep it Simple
When it comes to creating slides, less is more. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much text or too many graphics. This can be overwhelming and confusing to your audience. Stick to one main point per slide and use no more than five bullet points or short messages to further explain your point.
2. Use Appropriate Font and Text
Choose your font and size carefully. Avoid fancy or cursive fonts that can be difficult to read. Rather, choose a basic sans serif font and use 32 point font size for clarity. Avoid all caps and stick to dark colors that are easy to read from a distance.
3. Incorporate Quality Images
Visuals such as images, graphs, or charts can help illustrate your points and make your presentation more engaging. Visuals are more likely to be remembered than text alone, so be sure to include visuals that enhance and support your message. Do be mindful of your images, ensuring that they are high quality when projected onto a larger screen.
4. Choose a Cohesive Design
Consistency is key when it comes to creating an impactful presentation. Choose a cohesive design that includes a consistent color scheme, font, style, and layout. You also want to avoid too many special effects, such as transitions, animations, and clip-art, as these often detract from the presentation.
5. Tell a Story
Use your slides to tell a story that engages and captivates the audience. Structure your presentation in a way that takes your audience on a journey, including a beginning, middle, and end. Use your slides only as a guide as you tell your story and reinforce key points along the way.
6. Limit Your Slides
Limit the number of slides and be sure to stick to your allotted time. If you have too many slides and are flipping constantly to rush through your slides, this distracts your audience and makes it difficult for them to understand your message. A good rule of thumb is no more than one slide per minute.
Creating impactful presentation slides requires thoughtful planning and consideration of design, content, and delivery. By keeping your slides simple and cohesive, you can effectively convey your message, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression. To learn more techniques for delivering an impactful presentation, call today and check out our presentation training courses. With our training, you can learn to create slides that captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression!