PowerPoint What to do. What not to do.

Background or Slide Design The easy choice is: select a slide design Dark background: Makes it easy on people’s eyes in a dark presentation room – Use a light background if the room is not dark. Font: Choose a complementary color The slide design defaults usually work well

Background or Slide Design The easy choice is: select a slide design Dark background: Makes it easy on people’s eyes in a dark presentation room – Use a light background if the room is not dark. Font: Choose a complementary color The slide design defaults usually work well

Background or Slide Design Not all slide designs work well Avoid picture background or cute things on the border – they distract the audience Plane backgrounds, complementary colored font. Color Wheel

Background or Slide Design Not all slide designs work well Avoid picture background or cute things on the border – they distract the audience Plane backgrounds, complementary colored font. Color Wheel

Font Size Can the people in the back of the room read your slides Don’t change font size, use the defaults. Don’t try to fit too much on a slide. Put the information onto multiple slides Link to a URL containing the information Link to another resource to present the information Word Excel …

Transitions Avoid all transition noises they are cute once, after that, they are distracting. They are the sign of an amateur. Some transitions are used well if they fit with your presentation style

What’s on the slides? Use the slides as an outline of your presentation For your audience – so they can follow your presentation For you – to keep you on track Don’t just read the slides, add to what’s on them.

What’s on the slides? More than an outline Some slides may contain detailed information If the details are too much, use a hyperlink to Google or other network links Or use a hyperlink to files a Word doc or other local file

Slide One Title – Don’t be too clever Introduce yourself Don’t assume everyone knows who you are

Slide Layouts Use different layouts when appropriate Experiment with graphics Pictures Cartoons Graphs Other artwork

How Many Slides A good start is about one per minute. Learn to time your presentation, people tend to vary between 1 slide every 30 seconds to 1 slide every two minutes.

Observations These are guidelines, not commandments Use what works for you But be certain it works for your audience Practice your presentation Know your timing Build in some flex, especially into the end of your presentation

Where’s your presentation USB stick Know where the USB port is located On-line Put it on your website if you have the space Email Attach it to an email Send to Royal Mail Bring up royal mail presto