Putting Together A Presentation: Things To Remember

Preparing a presentation can be a nerve-wracking event, and it is vital to ensure that you are prepared in advance to help ensure that the event goes well. Part of this is the act of preparing your visual presentation, which can be a great tool in helping to engage and educate your audience.

While this may seem a simple and straightforward task, there are many elements to consider to help you appear professional and knowledgeable and to present as an expert in your area. Here are the top things to remember when preparing your slides to help your presentation be recognized for the right reasons!

Use A Plain Background

While bright colors and vibrant pictures may be ideal if you are working with younger children, as a general rule your background should be plain and simple so as not to detract from the relevant images and information. Most people will opt for black, white or grey, and make sure the text is a contrasting color which can be read clearly by the audience. One good solution is to pick a pre-designed template, such as those from GraphicPanda.net, to save you the effort of crafting the ideal slide – you have more important things to do!

Minimize Text

The last thing an audience member wants to see is you essentially reading the PowerPoint in front of them. Instead, you should make sure that all text included in your presentation is short and to the point. You could summarise what you have discussed or include an essential date or quote. Reading from the slide creates a boring experience for your audience, and you are guaranteed to lose their interest quickly.

To ensure that your presentation is easily readable and engages your audience, make sure to select a font that is clear and easy to read, such as Arial or Calibri, and avoid overly decorative fonts that can be challenging for the audience to decipher. To further enhance readability, keep your text organized in short bullet points or phrases, avoiding long paragraphs that can be overwhelming for the audience. To take your presentation to the next level, consider seeking the assistance of a presentation professional by attending an executive presentation coaching program where the experts can help you structure your content to maximize its impact, and provide coaching on how to deliver your presentation with confidence and clarity.

Include Relevant Images

The images used will depend largely on your topic. A debate on the politics of Renoir’s portraits, for example, will inevitably include pictures and examples of the work being discussed—this is essential to help the audience fully engage with and understand the talk. A presentation on budgets, however, does not need to be full of images and color. Instead, focus on graphs and charts which clearly display essential information, and which enhance your words, rather than distract from them. Know your topic; if images are relevant, include them with full captions and references. If they are not crucial, it is best to leave them out.

Be Careful With Color

While color can make a presentation and slides more engaging, it is important to remember that the projector may display a different view to that on your laptop. Colors may be faded, and this can make text difficult to read or images appear washed out. Where possible, it is best to stick to strong colors and contrasts, such as black and white or grey and black. Make sure you avoid light-colored text on a light background.It will likely be unreadable to the audience and can cause them to become distracted or frustrated. Bold, simple colors are a safer way to go.