How to – Present Ideas More Effectively When PowerPoint first came out, I was one of the instructors that partnered with Microsoft to help get the word out to professionals about using the technology to enhance and support their presentations. Now, many years later, I’m often hired to help people create a more polished presentation and a great deal of time is spent weaning people from an overdependence on the same technology!

When asked to make a presentation, you are really being asked to be the most concise, articulate, and informative person that you can be. Whether your audience is your boss, customers, a committee, a class, a panel, an audience, or a client, the goal is to connect and get the listener to think, feel, or act. The following strategies can support your objectives:

Don’t Read – People read at a rate that is faster than you can talk. Your audience can read written material themselves and the focus is now on the written words and off of you! Your energy, enthusiasm and knowledge are the reasons you are there. Leverage what you bring to the topic.

Pictures Stick – Pictures create a more powerful image for the brain to retrieve, as well as one that is easier for people to remember. Help people make the connection to your material by using visual images

Arms, Hands, and Fingers – If you want to underscore key points as well as show your energy and enthusiasm, use gestures that emphasize your presentation. Channel your adrenalin into a visual way to support your message.

Use Vocal Variety – The pace, volume and emphasis of your voice communicates your energy, creatively reveals drama, and supports your message. Adding vocal diversity and some range to your presentation adds interest for the listener and helps you underscore points within your message.

Strategic Handouts – If you want to have people’s attention while you are talking, assure them that there will be handouts after you are done. If you think people will be even more distracted without a handout to follow along with, provide them something with images from your slides that require the presenter who will add the details.

Help Them See – Use colors that are soothing and clear. Make fonts and images large enough for people over 40 to see from the back of the room. Keep slides uncluttered. It’s better to have more slides than cram a few with too much information.

It’s easy to get carried away with technology and use it as a crutch to help you through a presentation, especially if you are nervous or unsure of some of the material. Take time to practice more often to ensure your confidence. Remember that this is your opportunity to connect your audience in a dynamic way to the information

Labels: PowerPoint, Presentations

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