Making presentations-that-audiences-will-love
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Use a consistent template with easy-to-read fonts and colors. Limit bullets to one line each and include no more than six per slide. Bullets should "cue" or preview what will be said. Avoid all capital letters and use italics sparingly. Contrasting complementary colors provide readability. Illustrations should relate to and clarify the message. Consider the audience distance and size when choosing font sizes and screen/flipchart text sizes. The presentation should enhance but not replace the presenter.
Making presentations-that-audiences-will-love
- 1. Making Presentations That Audiences Will Love
- 2. Use a TemplateUse a set font and color scheme.Different styles are disconcerting to the audience.You want the audience to focus on what you present, not the way you present.
- 3. FontsChoose a clean font that is easy to read.Roman and Gothic typefaces are easier to read than Scriptor Old English.Stick with one or two types of fonts.
- 4. Font SizeBulleted items should be no smaller than 22 points.The title should be no smaller than 28 points.
- 5. BulletsKeep each bullet to one line, two at the most.Limit the number of bullets in a screen to six, four if there is a large title, logo, picture, etc.This is known as “cueing”You want to “cue” the audience in on what you are going to say.Cues can be thought of as a brief “preview.”This gives the audience a “framework” to build upon.
- 6. Bullets (con.)If you crowd too much text, the audience will not read it.Too much text makes it look busy and is hard to read.Why should they spend the energy reading it, when you are going to tell them what it says?Our reading speed does not match our listening speed; hence, they confuse instead of reinforcing each other.
- 7. Caps and ItalicsDo not use all capital lettersMakes text hard to readConceals acronymsDenies their use for EMPHASISItalicsUsed for “quotes”Used to highlight thoughts or ideasUsed for book, journal, or magazine titles
- 8. ColorsReds and oranges are high-energy but can be difficult to stay focused on.Greens, blues, and browns are mellower, but not as attention grabbing.White on dark background should not be used if the audience is more than 20 feet away.This set of slides is a good example.You can easily read the slides up close.It is harder to read the further away you get.
- 9. BackgroundsA white on a dark background was used for this set of slides as:The author assumes most users will view the presentation on their own computer.Having a dark background on a computer screen reduces glare.
- 10. The Color WheelColors separated by another color are contrasting colors (also known as complementary)Adjacent colors (next to each other) harmonize with one another. e.g. Green and YellowThe color wheel below is simplified for easy use
- 11. Clashing ColorsColors that are directly opposite from one another are said to clash.These provide readability - e.g. yellow on blue.
- 12. Attention GrabberTo make a slide stand out, change the font or background
- 13. IllustrationsUse only when needed, otherwise they become distracters instead of communicatorsThey should relate to the message and help make a pointAsk yourself if it makes the message clearer Simple diagrams are great communicators
- 14. FlipchartsMake letters at least a 1/4 highFlipcharts with lines are much easier to write on
- 15. Aspect Ratios for MediaOverhead Transparency 4:5Video 3:435mm Transparency 2:3
- 16. Overhead & 35mm Screen Size for ReadabilityScreen 6’ 8’ 10’ 12’ 15’1/4 inch 30’ 40’ 50’ 60’ 90’3/8 inch 45’ 60’ 75’ 90’ 135’1/2 inch 60’ 80’ 100’ 120’ 180’Examples:1/4” type shown on a screen size of 6’ can be seen 30’ away (20 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type) 1/2” type shown on a 10’ screen can be seen 75’ away (40 point Times Roman equals 1/4” type)
- 17. YOUDo not use the media to hide youThe audience came to see youThe media should enhance the presentation, not BE the presentationIf all you are going to do is read from the slides or overheads, then just send them the slidesRemember, only you can prevent “Death by PowerPoint”
- 18. Presentationsby Donald R. Clark (donclark@nwlink.com)FOR MORE INFORMATIONhttp://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadpres.htmlhttp://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/templates/presentation.rtf