How To Create A Presentation?

Everyone wants to avoid being a presentation zero. For tips on how to create an effective presentation and be a PowerPoint legend, read these suggestions.

1. The subject

• You should be passionate about your subject. Your audience will only be as enthusiastic about the subject the way you are. If you’re not engaged in what you’re telling people, why are you imposing the same on someone else? It’s unlikely that you’ll deliver an effective presentation if your work doesn’t spark enthusiasm. However, you should always be looking for hooks and engaging methods to get your message across.
• Research. Know what you’re talking about. Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Listen, read, discover facts and make an educated opinion.
• Context. The sales pitch you give for the launch of a new product is quite different when you present this to your marketing team to if you present it to the finance department. Be aware of your audience and adapt your pitch to their way of thinking and prioritizing.
• Relevance. Find the solution to the following question: Why do we need to be concerned?
• Condense to a single idea. At the end of this phase, you should no longer have a theme but rather a single idea or argument you wish to convey. Keep it short, but keep it engaging.

2. The format

• Time limit. There’ll be one, and if not, then create one. Make sure you take three-quarters of the time and make sure you leave enough room for questions. (If there aren’t any questions, everyone can go home earlier, and they’ll appreciate you more.) The restriction helps you concentrate on what’s essential to your presentation.
• Write a plan. It doesn’t need to be on paper. It could be OneNote as well as mind mapping software or Evernote. The key is not to begin your presentation using PowerPoint or any other presentation software. It is essential to bring your thoughts and images, then change them around, and experiment with structure before deciding how to present it.
• PowerPoint. There’s a lot of discussion about whether PowerPoint is good or bad; however, the reality is that it’s the most used. This doesn’t mean you can’t utilize it in a negative way, however. Guy Kawasaki advocates the 10/20/30 rule that is 10 slides and 20 minutes, 30 point font size minimum. A good example of a successful presentation you can find on studycrumb.
• Images are inspiring. Don’t rely on boring stock photography or clip art. Think about using your own personal photos or exploring creative commons sources such as Flickr to create more personal and relatable images.

3. The content

• Simple and sweet. This is both about your whole presentation and every single word in it. Try to use short words and stay clear of using jargon.
• Tell the story. People react to stories. Everybody makes narratives, it’s how we perceive the world. Find the story that you’re trying to convey.
• Use examples. Presenting can become somewhat abstract. Be sure to keep your presentations grounded in the real world and make use of everyday situations that everyone can understand when explaining complicated concepts.
• Pre-empt questions. In the book Writing To Deadline, Donald Murray explains that in order to write effectively, you need to continue answering the reader’s questions. What are they likely to be interested in next? It’s similar when it comes to presentaions. Of course, you are trying to create discussion and interest after your presentation, but make sure that nobody has to ask the obvious questions.
• Be aware of what you are able to do to avoid. There are times when questions arise, or people show up late, and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Be aware of what slides and which aspects you can avoid without losing crucial elements or the narrative flow.

4. The preparation

• Be aware of how you can use your tools. If you’re using PowerPoint, ensure that you are aware of the process. For instance, pressing ‘b to blank the screen allows you to concentrate on what you’re talking about. It is also possible to embed invisible clickable areas that move you from one section to another.
• Rehearse. It is important to practice and become comfortable enough with your presentation so that if power fails and the notes become lost, you will still be able to convey the essence of your message. The presentation should be reviewed at least three times each morning and then three times at night prior to the time of the day. If you go beyond that, you could sound like you’ve rehearsed it too much.
• Plan your outfit. There’s plenty to think about during the day. Although it may seem silly, do not leave it until the night before to choose what outfit you’ll be wearing. Select it, make sure that it’s dry and ironed, and hang it up to wear at the end of the day.
• Run a fact check. You’ve done your homework, and you’re aware that in businesses, changes can happen quickly. There could be a fresh budget forecaster alteration in the structure. Before the deadline, ensure that the presentation you give is up to the current standards.