Stand Up and Speak - Public Speaking and communications article page 6

Stand Up and Speak

This presentation skills article appeared in the public speaking magazine - MyBusiness.

Audio Visual Aids
Just because you have to give a presentation at your next sales conference does not mean that you have to get out the PowerPoint and go crazy. No CEO has ever said, “Give that manager a pay raise. He really knows how to use PowerPoint!” But if you must have a slide show, keep in mind the following guides;

Short is sweet. Keep both the number of slides and the content as short as possible. Attention spans are only getting shorter.
Don’t read the slides. Reading exactly what is on the slides is something the audience can do. If you are going to simply read the slide to them, sit down and stop taking up valuable real estate. If the audience is reading the slide, they are not listening to you. You are better off to have the main points on the screen and expand on them.
Graphic transitions irritate. Just because the title flies in from the left, and the words type themselves out does not make the presentation interesting. Once the audience has seen this once it will quickly bore them.
Keep contrasts strong. Multi-coloured backgrounds can hide some text. Choose carefully. Anything moving in the background will distract the audience from what you are saying.
Remember different speeds and versions in technology. If preparing your presentation on a PC for presentation from a laptop, the different operating speeds and versions of software may render some graphics slow or inoperable.
K.I.S.S. Before you add a picture or colour, ask if it is going to enhance your message. If not, get rid of it. Remember: Keep It Short and Simple.
Handouts. Before distributing handouts of your presentation, ask yourself what do you want the audience to do with them? If you want them to make notes as you present, give them out before you speak. But remember that they will then focus on the notes and not you. If you want them to listen to you, give your handouts out after the presentation.

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