PowerPoint Tips: Keep Your Audience Awake
Avoid snore presentations
Don't you hate it when you learn you'll have to watch a 'powerpoint'? Isn't it interesting how the word 'powerpoint' has come to stand for any kind of presentation no matter what software they're using or how it's being presented.
Thomas Wailgum, CIO editor says:
"Some might argue that PowerPoint is a crutch to knowledge workers everywhere who think pie charts and sound effects can cover up weaknesses in their public-speaking skills. "
So, he presents a collection of design tips and technical tricks to get you on the road to improvement:
1. Apply a template to jump start your presentation.
2. Add sound effects in your slides.
3. Insert a chart or graph into your presentation.
4. Add transitions between slides.
5. Apply an animation effect to text or an object.
6. Have your presentations start in Screen Show view automatically.
7. E-mail links in your presentations.
8. Print handouts of your slides
9. Add a password to your PowerPoint presentation
10. Important keyboard shortcuts to know
10 PowerPoint Tips: Keep Your Audience Awake
Improving Your Presentation Strategies
CIO's Tom Bunzel, provides another set of tips when you need to convey complex information to get the approval of peers or higher ups. If you're like a lot of us, you're likely to throw everything you know onto a set of slides, hoping the random set of bullet points will result in project approval or funding. After all, you don't have the time to learn all the ins and outs of your presentation software (Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple's Keynote).
1) Plan and Structure Your Presentation
2) Identify the Pain
3) Use Visual Metaphors or Stories
4) Animate to Communicate
5) Summarize an Action Plan
6) Learn to Close Quickly and from Any Time
Bite the Bullet: Improving Your Presentation Strategies
Powerpoint Design considerations
Ayca Yuksel, product manager for Microsoft Office PowerPoint, shares five design tips and five technical tricks for those who are new to the application. Here are her 10 best tips as well as instructions on how to get at the functionalities in PowerPoint.
Microsoft has created video demos for beginner PowerPoint users, which can be found at office.microsoft.com
Read the full article: 10 PowerPoint Tips: Keep Your Audience Awake
But remember always :
Good ideas presented with non-technical skills are still better than mediocre ideas presented with technical savvy. Work on the ideas and content before you even launch the computer.
.
Return to &Else News & Views. . .
.
Participate in your Design Center
Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.
- Ask for the DT&G Monthly: to receive DT&G newsletter each month, happenings in the Design Center and regular columns like the "Mail Bag" and "Cool Sites"
- Discuss Design & Desktop Publishing : in the Designers' CAFE
- Link to this site, and then show us the link. We'll send you any of our current door prizes, just for your trouble.
- Discuss Photoshop at Photoshop 911
- SUBMIT: a news link, new font, or product review
- REVIEW a website: posted by our readers
- SUBMIT a Website: for review in Web Design & Review
- Submit a Critique: of a popular web site, or YOUR web site!
- WIN PRIZES: in our "Question of the Month" column
- Meet Friends of the Design Center people who care!
- Become a Friend of the Design Center: and put your link on the front page
- Submit News, Views or your latest press release
- Submit your Software Review: shareware, freeware, fonts, graphics, utilities -- if you've found software you like, let DT&G readers know about it!
Learning, training, tips, tricks, and moreThe Design Bookshelf team reads and reviews the best books for the creative visual designer, desktop publishing practitioner and visual communicator. If you want to know it -- we'll show you the very best way to learn it... in the Designer's Bookshelf
Get more out of your computer: join a user group - There are computer clubs around the world called "user groups" where you find fellow computer users ready and willing to share a wealth of information. If you're not a UG member, you should be.. find a group at the User Group Network
Photoshop FAQ - Got a question? Get an answer: in the Photoshop 911 FAQ if you don't find the answer there, you can ask your question or send your problem to the Photoshop 911 Team