Presentations
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not read the bullet points or text on the slides aloud to the audience.
The audience can read.
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Create many brief slides with single points to prevent audiences from reading ahead before you speak.
To stop the audience from seeing too much information before you say it.
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- Reveal bullet points or paragraphs additively rather than showing all text at once.1
In STEM presentations, include detailed backup slides to 'show your work' without cluttering the main deck.
This allows you to demonstrate your process without wasting time showing it during the main presentation.
- Specifically noted for STEM presentations.
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Bring a spare shirt if presenting in high heat or humidity.
It has saved the speaker on a few occasions.
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Avoid printing notes to read verbatim; use one bullet point per topic to ensure all points are covered.
It ensures you hit everything.
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Use simple transitions sparingly.
They don't distract people and prevent them from reading ahead.
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Place extra data, charts, or topics at the end of the presentation as backup slides for questions.
It makes you look more prepared.
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Face the audience and make eye contact, glancing at your presentation occasionally rather than reading directly from slides.
Reading slides puts the audience to sleep; facing them keeps them engaged.
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Keep physical notes and dry erase markers on hand to draw diagrams if technology fails.
Having a backup allows you to handle adverse situations well when equipment is unavailable.
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Turn on your laptop about an hour before presenting to allow time for automatic updates to install.
Computers often suddenly require updates during busy moments.
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Consider using the default PowerPoint template to appear professional and focus on content, though be aware some find it boring.
It avoids fancy designs and animations, allowing focus on main points.
- Using the default template may look boring and cause you to lose your audience quickly.
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Remove any elements from graphs, charts, or diagrams that do not convey information.
Overly complex graphs are ineffective.
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Cut down on words on slides by using only images and titles, providing bullet points in a separate handout if needed.
This approach is perceived as maximally professional.
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Record yourself giving the presentation or have someone review it to seek feedback.
It guarantees improvement despite being awkward.
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Preview your presentation with key people before presenting to the larger group to secure buy-in.
Colleagues in hostile corporate environments may listen intently to ask difficult questions.
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Include the date and audience name in presentation filenames.
It helps with versioning.
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Restrict laser pointer use to directing attention within figures; do not overuse it.
The audience can read.
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Have a title slide or welcome message projected on the screen before the audience arrives.
It provides a necessary visual anchor for general audiences who do not know you and shows respect for specific audiences who do.
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Include all pertinent information directly on the slides if the primary audience will review the file as a standalone document before or without the talk.
Decision makers often rely solely on the PowerPoint to get context and make decisions.
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Avoid starting your presentation with a completely black slide, as audiences may panic and assume the projector is broken.
Audiences in large forums or those unfamiliar with the speaker need visual confirmation that the display equipment is working to avoid instant panic.
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If presenting to busy executives or for absent viewers, use an 'information rich' format with dense content.
Busy executives have divided attention, and decks passed to absent attendees need relevant takeaways.
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Use PowerPoint instead of Word for large business plans containing images, tables, or equations, as it handles these files more flexibly and stably.
Word documents are less flexible and more likely to malfunction with large files containing many included items.
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Adopt a minimalistic design approach with a simple color palette, summarized wording, and consistent text placement.
It creates a professional look.
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Use high-resolution images in presentations.
Crappy image resolution saps confidence in the presenter.
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Remove pens or other fidget items from your hands before presenting to avoid unconscious distractions like twisting a water bottle.
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