How can slides help or hurt your presentations?

For consultants like myself, presentation slides are essential tools for effectively communicating complex ideas. - Their function goes beyond merely disseminating data; instead, it includes supporting key points and data visually and demystifying complex ideas for easier comprehension for the client and listeners. -- Clear, concise, and relevant slides that are well-designed complement verbal communication rather than trying to replace it. -Presentation slides are crucial in a consulting role for bridging knowledge with client comprehension and showcasing analyses and recommendations.

Important to understand who is your audience. As we go higher in seniority, the conciseness of your slides should be optimised to keep individuals engaged. You would not want to show overwhelming numbers, trends etc to a CEO who would be more than happy just to look at high level information from a bird’s eye view. The slides in this case have to be crisp KPIs and conversational. At the same time, a Lead or Head of department has higher appetite for numbers and wish to view higher level of details.

Remember, the success of your presentation depends on your ability to connect with your audience, communicate your message effectively, and maintain their interest. Slides should serve as a supportive tool to help you achieve these goals, not as a crutch that replaces the power of your spoken words and engaging delivery.

Slides can significantly impact presentations, both positively and negatively. Used effectively, they enhance understanding by visualizing complex concepts, emphasizing key points, and maintaining audience engagement. Clear, concise slides with minimal text and compelling visuals aid in conveying information concisely. However, excessive text or cluttered slides can overwhelm, detract from the message, and cause disengagement. It's crucial to strike a balance, using slides to complement verbal delivery rather than replace it. By leveraging slides to reinforce main ideas and evoke emotions, presentations can become powerful tools for effective communication and connection.

When I present, I use slides as a visual aid, to capture the attention of my audience. We are humans and have short attention span and the slide will help anchor the presentation and reinforce the idea that needs to be communicated. A well created clean but simple slide will also intrigue the audience and keep them interested.

Remember, there are 2 types of slides: slide for presenting and slides for sharing. The former ones must be clear, simple, have pictures or icons and must contain as few words as possible; people must be able to focus their attention on your speech. The latter ones can contain more details and should be able to explain concepts without the need of someone that explains them. They can be emailed and the recipient will be able to understand. The fundamental thing is that people either read or listen

Consider having slides that are simply an image, sans text. Obviously the image will relate to the next part of your presentation but it should not be obvious. A cryptic image gains you more attention from the audience and allows you to explain it. It's a more sophisticated approach. The right image can also add some humour or irony to your presentation.

Incorporating a touch of storytelling into your slides can also elevate their impact. Weave a narrative that connects the dots between your points, creating a compelling journey for your audience. Storytelling engages emotions and aids in retention, making your message more memorable.

When designing slides make sure that you have created a layout which is consistent throughout the presentation. Where logo positions are located in the same section across the slides, font sizes are constantly repeating and there are not visually disturbing your audience. Utilize a palette of colors that is easy for your audience to read making sure that some colors can be useful to remark on specific info where you will be drawing attention. Don’t over colored your slides, less is more. Keep your slide design as simple as possible while transmitting a visual aid that supports the message you want to transmit.

There are no rules anymore when it comes to presentations / slides. In fact breaking the rules can drive more compelled by and engaging presentations. While a cohesive design and constituency may suit in a corporate presentation, quite the opposite may assist in demanding the crowd’s attention. Surprise them, delight them, keep them guessing, show them new ways of looking at common topics / problems. Images, videos, memes, quotes and clever copywriting can all assist. As long as the key objective for your presentation remains the focus.

I have always believed that slides, like spices, should add flavor and augment the presentation. They should not overpower it.

Placing your abbreviation key in the slide notes is a great way to provide those to your learners and not clutter the slides themselves. This presumes that your learners can access the same copy of your PPT slides, which is also good practice for learning, retention, and sharing new knowledge.

Slides inevitably take attention away from the speaker. Consider having a blank slide to coincide with a key moment of your presentation when you want 100% focus.

An additional technique related to delivering slides effectively is by using Varying Visuals- While presenting, switch between different types of visuals to maintain audience interest. Alternate between slides with text, images, charts, and videos. For instance, in a sales presentation, use a combination of product images, customer testimonials, and sales data charts to convey a comprehensive message and cater to different learning preferences within your audience. This variety keeps the presentation dynamic and prevents monotony.

To keep the attention of your audience make sure that you have trained your body language for your presentation where you will be able to communicate and bring attention from your audience to your speech, however don’t overreact. Making eye contact with your audience will guarantee that they feel that your are speaking only to them and will concentrate in the message and refer less to visual aids.

Often the success of your final presentation is not what you have kept in there but what you have taken away. There is power in what you choose not to include. Filter and filter again - be aggressive about it. Information overload leaves the audience flat, confused and tired. It’s helpful to include a ‘next steps’ slide so everyone in the room is aware of what happens next and the timeline of those actions.

Here are some of the pitfalls to avoid: * Overusing slides: Don't let your slides do all the talking. You should be the main focus of your presentation, not the slides. * Putting too much information on each slide: People can't read and listen at the same time. Keep your slides simple and easy to scan. * Using too many animations and transitions: These can be distracting and take away from your message. * Reading from your slides: This makes you look unprepared and bored. Instead, use your slides to supplement your presentation, not replace them. If there is a technical glitch, be prepared to improvise or give your presentation without slides. Know your material inside and out so you can deliver a clear and compelling presentation.

Overloading slides with data and facts without a clear narrative structure can lead to a disconnected, confusing presentation. It's important to tell a coherent story that ties your points together and guides your audience through a logical flow. Striking the right balance between storytelling and visuals is the key. A well-crafted narrative transforms a presentation from a dry collection of facts into a memorable experience, with each slide contributing to the story. Visuals, when used effectively, enhance understanding and retention, but should never overpower the message, aiming to amplify rather than detract from the presentation's impact.

Rule of thumb: One message per slide. Not more, unless you're building points in with animation. Overwhelm your audiences and they won't remember a thing (including you) Always edit your text till the bare minimum and remove any unnecessary visuals. Signal is key.

I've seen some canny presenters create slides that are hidden from their presentation, but contain added information in case someone asks for it. You can unhide them during Q&A as you respond to (predictable) questions.

Some more examples Stories, anecdotes, and examples create emotional connections that resonate long after the presentation ends. Using a whiteboard might be ideal for a smaller group, while a large audience might benefit more from visual aids like posters or projected props. Models, diagrams, and live demonstrations offer a hands-on way to break down intricate ideas, making them easier to digest. By considering these different perspectives, you can tailor your presentation approach to suit your audience and achieve the desired impact effectively.

Presenting in online meetings can result sometimes overwhelming and difficult for your audience to concentrate. Make sure to balance your slides with other tools like Miro or Mentimeter. Where your audience can engage with your content and take part of specific activities throughout your presentation.

Depending on the situation - there are many alternatives... Cue cards, whiteboarding, placemats. Any form that can structure information and disseminate it visually to many at once is ideal. Know the objective, pick the right formats and engage the crowd.

During your presentation make sure that your speech includes the following: 1. Tell them what you are going to tell them 2. Tell them what you just told them Reinforcing your speech supports the line throughout the presentation. In addition, make sure that you clarify at the beginning what will be your audience taking out of your speech, keep them interest about the outcome of taking part of your presentation.

Know your audience. The burning questions I try to answer are: - What am I trying to say? - What is the bigger picture/ message? - Is a particular slide relevant? A lot of times, I remove content that I feel doesn’t contribute to the core message. Even if have a lot of time to present, I keep it short and simple. The audience should remember you and your message.

Some important points to remember while preparing a presentation: •Make sure that the content is concise and understandable •It is prepared with regards to target Audience like if it is for presenting before managers then include more data driven information and charts • It is aligned with the Organization's brand and color scheme •Be thorough with the slides as to answer any questions asked during or after presentation