The thought of yet another slide presentation should not make people groan. Here are six tips to keep your presentation crisp and quick.
Creating a slide presentation for any topic is easy once you have a best practice style that you use consistently. So let’s begin by review six tips for you to follow.
1. Simple Design
A clean, open slide quickly focuses the eye. It also allows more flexibility for larger font size and more text if necessary.
Overly designed slides like the one below minimize your usable space, often forcing you to use smaller, less legible font sizes.
2. Dark on Light Background.
A white background with dark text is the most legible combination. However, dark background slides with reverse text can be used effectively for impact, e.g. to emphasize a key point or a topic change.
Background shading generally decreases legibility, especially in a darkened meeting room. The example below is what NOT to do.
3. Fewer Words
Come on…you can do it! Avoid writing slides as narrative. This only encourages you to read the slide (and that’s painful for the audience).
So instead of this:
Instead, use bullet points to communicate faster and eliminate non-relevant information.
This allows the font size to increase to 36 pt. from 28 pt. for easier reading, especially with large groups.
4. More Graphics
A good graphic lets you combine detail into an at-a-glance message, helping to keep the audience engaged, and shortening the presentation time.
Below is an example where two bullets are combined into one more powerful graphic.
5. Consistent Slide Formatting
Set formatting and stick with it. It reflects a professional, more organized image of you and your company.
To keep visual interest, use thoughtful transition and emphasis slides with good graphics interspersed.
Check for consistency, e.g.
- Headers all the same size & justification
- Use of upper/lower case
- Body text same size & justification
Make sure you don’t mix formatting styles like the example below.
6. Consistent Visual Styles
Keep your graphic style consistent, resist the temptation to ‘get creative’ by changing. Changing risks delaying the audience’s comprehension.
In the case of images, try to keep to the number of sizes to two or three treatments, e.g. a full bleed image, a square image inset and flush left with copy to the right.
Both of these are solid graphics. But don’t mix and match. Pick a style and stick with it.
I hope this helps. Feel free to share or reach out for help or more ideas.
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