Just few words on the use of visual aids before you start with any slides for a presentation. There are unwritten rules for the use of slides and other visual aids. Once again the Simple rule applies. We will look at PowerPoint a bit later, but as for Flip charts, Live demos, instruments or whatever else you were hoping to use, ask yourself this: Do I really need it to add value to my presentation? The best speakers I have seen use only themselves on the stage. The more you add to the stage the more complicated it becomes and increases the chance of stuffing it all up. So select your visual aids well and make sure they work and you know how to fix them if they stop working.

Here are my top tips when using PowerPoint

  • Less is more – do not clutter your slides with graphics and colours
  • Use a simple colour background with a contrasting font colour
  • Design a good cover slide
  • Display your logo on every page
  • Use no more than 6 points per slide
  • Have no more than 6 words per point
  • Your slides are a visual aid, not a text to read from
  • Do not use sound effects or fancy transitions
  • Do not use automatic timing on the slides
  • Keep any animation to a minimum
  • Remember simple is good

Now go out and practice, practice, practice.