Slideshows are simple to create and maintain, and they're a great way to add visual interest to practically any presentation.
Even for those who've had a lot of experience presenting, slideshows can be disastrous. The key to success is to ensure that your slideshow serves as visual assistance rather than a distraction.
1. Review the presentation goals and target audience
Documenting the presentation's goals will help you stay on track as you work on it, and it can also help you weed through items that aren't necessarily relevant for the audience to ingest.
Determine the main points you want your audience to remember from your presentation and the actions you hope they will take due to their participation. It will be crucial to refer to these items when you build your presentation content to ensure that your content contributes to achieving these objectives.
Identifying the target audience and prospective supplementary audiences is a good idea. Audiences aren't limited to the people in the room with you during your presentation. Will your presentation be available online after the session? Will your audience photograph your slides and distribute them on social media or with their colleagues?
2. Compile the content and create an outline
It's tempting to get right into creating PowerPoint or Google Slides while creating a presentation. Instead, take the time to develop an outline for your material. You can quickly move around content, think through the logical path of the presentation, and ensure that you use the optimal presenting approach for the topic by generating an outline. While it may appear to be an extra step in the process, it typically saves time because moving around content once put into a presentation structure is considerably more difficult.
3. Start strong
A first impression is something you never get a second chance to make. Consider the last presentation you've seen: do you remember the first and last impressions more than the rest? The majority of people do.
That is why it is critical to offer a confident and robust beginning and conclusion. Start with a hook to get your audience's interest.
4. Tells a story
Make sure your script follows strong storytelling traditions by giving it a beginning, middle, and conclusion, as well as a clear arc that leads to a climax point.
Make sure your audience appreciates each slide while also anticipating what they will learn next so that they will get the "hook." Allow dialogue during your presentation if your audience is very small. Allow your audience to ask questions and become active participants in your discussion.
5. One thought at a time
Consider structuring your presentation so that only one new point is shown at a time.
Deliver one brief thought to one engaged person every 5-7 seconds by speaking to a different crowd member. That way, you're not just establishing random eye contact; you're making connections and speaking "to" rather than "at" your audience.
6. Using images and icons
When adding crucial information or making an abstract concept more tangible, use visuals and graphics.
When it comes to visuals in presentations, there are two schools of thought: some believe they add visual interest and keep audiences interested, while others believe they are an unwanted distraction. The greatest option is to fall somewhere in the middle and use images to enhance your message's value or comprehension.
7. Select a sans serif font. Limit your fonts to two, at most.
Serif fonts include protruding "feet" that extend beyond the basic shape of the letters, such as Garamond, Times New Roman, or Century Schoolbook. Serifs are useful in printed papers with a lot of text, but they appear blurry on a computer screen. Calibri, Arial, and Trebuchet are examples of sans serif fonts (known as "without serifs"). They have a cleaner and simpler-to-read appearance.
Your presentation will have a consistent look and feel if you limit your fonts to two (at most). This restriction does not apply to bold, italic, or bold italic fonts. So, make sure to use standard fonts in your presentation. Learn more advice for any self-development topics and consult with us! Also, follow us at Instagram @baikgp and @ayureadypodcast for more information and extra insights!