I think we can all agree that sitting at a presentation is boring. Every now and then you may have to go to one that about something you're interested in, but that's only if you choose to go. Majority of the ones we are obligated to go to are extremely boring. Since they are so boring your going to need to spice things up a little with some visuals. However there is an art to creating effective visuals, and not just throwing random clip arts around a slide. If visuals are used effectively, then your audience will pay attention at least a little more to maybe pick up and remember something about your presentation. Effective visuals can also increase a person's interest and outlook about a presentation. Say if your presenting to potential investors on why they should give you their hard earned money. A professionally done presentation, that leaves a good impression can make or break the deal. It's as they say with food, "presentation is everything". If you want to have a memorable presentation there are a few steps you should take.
Chances are if you're making a presentation you're going to use PowerPoint, or its free equivalent Open Office Impress by Oracle. Either way your going to have to avoid creating a presentation that is full of animations and dancing objects, yet is not a boring mundane list of bullet points. You're going to have to find the balance between the two because having one of the two extremes will have bad effects. Two many animations and random pictures and colors will draw focus away from what you want to get across to the audience and towards some pretty picture in the top right corner. Also too bland your going to have to find a way to pull your audience away from dream land. Another thing to be wary about is the technology aspect. As a computer tech too many times have I been called to help in some way because the brilliant presenter had their presentation saved in different formats, or had it on a corrupted hard drive or saved to email, where the projector computer didn't have internet access. Find out what the are limitations of the technology where you are speaking at, and make sure you have your presentation saved in multiple areas. Five extra minutes of saving can save you a lot of time, stress and embarrassment in the long run.
With those ideas in mind, it's time to make your presentation. There are two types of slides you can make: structured and free-form. Structured slides are slides that list the information that's to be said and are usually the most common because they make things easier for the presenter. These slides have a title, and bullets points summarizing the main points that are being spoken about at the moment. Little planning has to go into these because you speak about what is currently on the slide. However these can be an information overload to your audience as they are trying to listen and read at the same time even though your words and the PowerPoint are basically the same. Free-Form slides are more complicated yet simple at the same time. A Free-Form slide can contain a single, powerful image for your audience to relate your words to. This is more work for the presenter because you must have some creative talent to pick the right image and relate your speech to it.
Chances are you're going to go with the structured slides and there is nothing wrong with that. However one important thing to remember is make it as easy to read as possible. From experience I can tell you that some older people are automatically turned off having to look at any digitally produced screen. You don't need to make matters worse buy having almost matching font color and background. make sure the text and the background have a high contrast so its easily visible. Don't use to fancy of a background because it can be distracting. Also make sure you only show the key points that are essential for your audience to remember.
Why should you follow these rules? And why should you even care? If you are a student you'll never use these when you graduate, right? Wrong. PowerPoints are alive and well in the business world. When it's your career that we're talking about, a sloppy job, or an excellent job in the smallest of things can mean the world of difference for you. It could also mean nothing, however you have to think with the best possible situation in mind.
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