Becoming the “Big Fish” in the Presentation Pool Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter

Overview Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion

“It takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” ~ Mark Twain

Avoid Common Pitfalls Overdosing on Experts Talking AT your Audience Losing Control Don’t Bluff Information Overload Overdosing on Experts Talking AT your Audience Losing Control Don’t Bluff Information Overload

Image

Involve the Audience "Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand". Make the presentation interactive – if you can.

Groups of Three

Keep the Message Clear

Communications “Revelation” “I could have had a …”

Team Presentations Select a strong leader Same rules as solo presentations Organize content development One person to handle visuals Provide transitions Rehearse, Rehearse, REHEARSE! Select a strong leader Same rules as solo presentations Organize content development One person to handle visuals Provide transitions Rehearse, Rehearse, REHEARSE!

Give ‘Em a Break Strategic breaks Set Return time Vary lengths of breaks Ask for input Strategic breaks Set Return time Vary lengths of breaks Ask for input

Annoying Movements Playing with jewelry Licking and/or biting your lips Constantly adjusting your glasses Popping the top of a pen Playing with hair Jingling change in your pocket Playing with jewelry Licking and/or biting your lips Constantly adjusting your glasses Popping the top of a pen Playing with hair Jingling change in your pocket

The “666” Rule (The devil made me do it…)

The “666” Rule Or “The devil made me do it…” Less than 6 words per bullet 6 bullets per slide 6 word slides in a row Or “The devil made me do it…” Less than 6 words per bullet 6 bullets per slide 6 word slides in a row

Font Usage Sans-Serif over Serif No smaller than 24 pt. Larger for title (35-45 pts.) Use color & styles for impact Avoid italics Strive for contrast Sans-Serif over Serif No smaller than 24 pt. Larger for title (35-45 pts.) Use color & styles for impact Avoid italics Strive for contrast

Mix It Up Visuals Ditch the Podium Use Eye Contact Focus on Audience Be Yourself Skip the Speech Visuals Ditch the Podium Use Eye Contact Focus on Audience Be Yourself Skip the Speech

Murphy’s Law

Top Ten Countdown 10.Sticky Floor Syndrome 9.Lack of Facial Expression 8.No Audience Involvement 7.Weak Eye Contact 6.Lack of Enthusiasm 10.Sticky Floor Syndrome 9.Lack of Facial Expression 8.No Audience Involvement 7.Weak Eye Contact 6.Lack of Enthusiasm

Top Ten Countdown 5.No Preparation 4.Mediocre First Impression 3.Ineffective Close 2.Poor Visual Aids 1.No Presentation Objectives 5.No Preparation 4.Mediocre First Impression 3.Ineffective Close 2.Poor Visual Aids 1.No Presentation Objectives

It’s Not an “Easter Egg Hunt”

The “Easter Egg Hunt” Choosing graphics Use relevant images Screen resolution Scaling images Be consistent Choosing graphics Use relevant images Screen resolution Scaling images Be consistent

“Fresh Fish” Story

“Fresh Fish” Rule

Tips for Using Visuals

Charts and graphs –Show trends, relationships, process flows –Compare quantities Charts and graphs –Show trends, relationships, process flows –Compare quantities GoodBetter

Tips for Using Visuals Photographs or clipart –Convey a message –Add humor Photographs or clipart –Convey a message –Add humor MessageHumor

Tips for Using Visuals Use color –Attract attention, highlight for emphasis –Compare or contrast, create mood Use color –Attract attention, highlight for emphasis –Compare or contrast, create mood Attention / Emphasis Contrast / Mood

Tips for Using Visuals Hold audience attention –Span bullets across multiple slides Hold audience attention –Span bullets across multiple slides BoringBetter

Tips for Using Visuals Add credibility –Showcase the “real thing” –Create impact Add credibility –Showcase the “real thing” –Create impact OKBetter

Don’t Get Eaten Alive

Message Retention Verbal only – 10% Visual & Verbal – 50% 400% increase in retention ~ Wharton Research Center Verbal only – 10% Visual & Verbal – 50% 400% increase in retention ~ Wharton Research Center

Remember… Spelling & grammar Don’t read the presentation Start with brief overview Use “build” slides Opt for wireless Keep font size consistent Spelling & grammar Don’t read the presentation Start with brief overview Use “build” slides Opt for wireless Keep font size consistent

Remember… Don’t speak over sound effects Provide handouts for note taking Always face your audience Be glad you are there Know your “stuff” Don’t speak over sound effects Provide handouts for note taking Always face your audience Be glad you are there Know your “stuff”

Q & A Tips Walk toward audience Raise your hand Expect a response Avoid obvious “yes” & “no” questions Wait for a reply Walk toward audience Raise your hand Expect a response Avoid obvious “yes” & “no” questions Wait for a reply

Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion

References Fresh Fish Rule - Adapted from “Poor fish” in Ausubel, s.htm cord.org/tutorial/presentation_tips.htm Sins.php Fresh Fish Rule - Adapted from “Poor fish” in Ausubel, s.htm cord.org/tutorial/presentation_tips.htm Sins.php

Becoming the “Big Fish” in the Presentation Pool Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter