Stephanie Krieger, a Document Production Expert by trade and a Microsoft MVP has come up with a list of 12 ways you can make your PowerPoint presentations better.
I have to admit: I’m an arrogant SOB when it comes to Powerpoint presentations because in general, I think I maintain some strict adherence to the rules that were taught to me many years ago about Powerpoints creation.
For example:
- 4 BULLETS, 5 WORDS:
Use no more than 4 bullets, with each line having no more than 5 words. - GRAPHICS:
Always have a graphic on each page to vary the template’s formatting. Unless the point you’re making is one that’s climactic and the absolute focus of the presentation, people need a picture on the screen to focus on before embarking on reading you text. - TELL THEM WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO SAY, TELL THEM, THEN TELL THEM AGAIN:
Set up your presentation in the beginning slides by explaining what you’re going to talk about. Then go over it in detail, and finally conclude with the same point as a summary. - CALL TO ACTION:
Give your audience a "next step". Some thing to do… a web site to visit… a book to buy… whatever it is.
…and so on and so forth.
That being said, this is a really good primer that Stephanie has done. Her write up is more from the perspective of the Powerpoint tool itself however it’s very useful. I learned a thing or two.
LINK: http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getworkdone/presentations.mspx
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