Lost Without PowerPoint? 7 Tips to Make It Powerful
When I ask my clients, “How long is your presentation?” it scares me when they answer, “Twelve slides.” Even worse is when I ask, “How do you design your presentation?” and they respond, “We get the slide deck.” Let’s be clear: PowerPoint is a very valuable tool, not a presentation. If you start with your slides, you’re putting the cart before the horse and sabotaging what could be a compelling and successful message. [embedded content] Design First. Slides Later. Presentation design is a creative, strategic process. Begin with your outline. What is your key message? What action do you want your audience to take? What stories will make your ideas come alive? Complete this on a flip chart, whiteboard, or legal pad. Once your content is organized and structured, then—and only then—ask yourself: “How can I visually support what I’m saying?” That’s when PowerPoint becomes powerful. Charts, graphs, images, and diagrams help illustrate and amplify your ideas. However, only if used w...