I may not be a PowerPoint wiz, but I’ve
come a long way. The first time I used PowerPoint was in college for a
presentation detailing the evolution of hairstyles through the 1900s. I
remember how much fun it was finding photos of afros, bouffants, and mullets,
then spending hours selecting the "perfect" colors and typography to
go with each slide. In the end, I was very proud of what I had created, got an
"A" on the project, and considered myself a PowerPoint master. In
reality, I had committed nearly every cringe-worthy design mistake that any
actual PowerPoint pro would warn you against.
As marketing professionals, many of us
have been tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation, whether for a project
interview, a meeting or conference, or a special event. If you don't consider
yourself a designer, the idea of creating a PowerPoint program can be
intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. The most important points to remember:
Keep it simple and keep it visual.
Trash the Templates
Using one of PowerPoint’s templates
should only be done in desperation. Not only are the majority of them visually
boring, but your audience has probably seen them a dozen times. Viewers will
immediately recognize you didn’t put any work into the aesthetics and
subconsciously make judgments about you based on your presentation’s visual
appeal. Make a stronger statement by taking the time to create your own slides.
Hold the content of your presentation
together by using a consistent layout, type style, and color scheme. Every
slide does not have to look exactly the same, but you don’t want each slide to
look like it came from a different presentation.
Sell Your Ideas Visually
Slides should be used to make a visual
statement that words alone can't. Photography is one of the single best ways to
make your presentation stand out and engage the audience. Nix the unnecessary
text and graphs and use more photos. Photos wordlessly draw your audience in,
give them an emotional connection, and prepare them for what you have to say.
Then you can fill in the details verbally during your presentation.
When it comes to choosing images, you
have a few options – take or create them yourself, hire a professional, buy
them from a stock photo site, or find them for free online. For free stock
photos, check out Stock.Xchng or use CC
Search to find photos on various sites under a
Creative Commons license (meaning they can be used free of charge by the
public). If you have a budget to purchase photos, iStock
Photo is an affordable, high quality option
with numerous search tools.
Keep it Concise
Your slides should not regurgitate
everything you’re already saying. If your audience is reading what’s on your
slides, what’s the point of you being there? You are the show, and your slides
are there to help guide your speaking and support your main points. Think
billboards. Make one point per slide. This helps with your timing and keeps
your audience from reading ahead while giving them the chance to focus on and
digest what you’re saying.
Many people use bullets in an attempt to
condense their information but, in reality, if you use too much bulleting, your
key messages get lost. If you must use multiple bullets under a common heading,
keep your audience engaged by bringing bullets in one at a time.
Let’s Talk Typography
Choosing your PowerPoint typeface can be
one of the most challenging elements. Don't just scroll through your font list
looking for something you think looks “cool.” Think about the message you're
trying to convey and select something that helps you deliver that message.
Browse through sites like Font Squirrel and Dafont to find a variety of free options. Most important
is to always choose typefaces that are clean and simple enough to be read
easily from across the room. If you're unsure, stick to the standard-looking
fonts, which will help ensure that your design remains clean and professional.
Don’t be afraid to use several typefaces
to create some variety, but keep it to just three different typefaces
throughout your slideshow. Also, don't switch up your fonts just because you
think it looks good. Do so for emphasis or to group words together. When it
comes to size, keep the type 24 points or larger. Any smaller and people in the
back won’t be able to read it. Don’t underline words or people may think they
are links and DON’T USE ALL CAPS for emphasis. You don’t want your audience to
think you’re shouting at them.
The Power of Color
Color can be your most powerful design
element if you learn to use it effectively. Selecting the right colors can set
the mood, create emotion, attract attention, and make a statement. Taking some
time to learn about color theory can take you a long way. (Check out Color
Matters or Tiger Color for a crash course). You can also browse
thousands of color palettes on websites like Adobe
Kuler and Design
Seeds. Another handy site is Piknik
Color Picker. Decide on a
color palette and keep it consistent. This will unify your presentation.
Remember, people only recall 10% of what
they hear, but retain 65% of what they hear and
see. Make what they see count.
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