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Easy and Effective Powerpoint Tips

By Betsy Keogan

1. Make the first slide all black. This allows you to turn the projector on and start the slide show before you start the speech. You click to the second slide when you actually want your audience to look at the screen.

2. Cut down on the bulleted lists. Wa-a-a-ay down. In fact, avoid bulleted lists if possible. Powerpoint should enhance your speech, not be a carbon copy of your outline.

3. A slide with a single, important thought (or even better, a single important word) is much more effective than a slide with lots of sentences. When you click on this important sentence, pause and look at the slide, taking a moment to read it yourself.

4. Photos, artwork, and simple graphs make wonderful slides. Don't put any word on the slides at all--use your speaking abilities to explain the photo.

5. Use large type. Very large type, if possible. Then bold it. Use only 2-3 colors, and make sure the color contrast is strong. Use a simple font. I like using Arial in 72 pt in bright yellow on a black background. If I need to make contrasting points, I also use red as a font color.

6. Make sure that you interact with your slides. The audience should remain focused on you, not the slides--and use your body movement to bring the slides into the presentation.

7. Avoid the special effects (flying photos, dancing fonts, etc.) unless there is a rally good reason to have that particular effect. BTW there is almost never a good reason to have those effects.

8. Music can be incredibly powerful as part of a Powerpoint presentation. Pick an instrumental piece that has the same emotional feel as your speech. Rehearse the presentation, and if necessary rewrite your speech so that your dramatic moments and dramatic pauses match dramatic moments and pauses in the music.

9. Keep it simple.

10. Don't have a slide that says "The End."

Betsy Keogan is owner of Keogan Publishing and author of two books. Find out more at www.keogan.com .

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