Top tips for giving great presentations

Results from a recent survey of training professionals around the world

Top tips from twenty trainers for live presentations

• If using slides, use simple, clean slide design
• Do not have too many slides
• Make sure the change of slide in live presentations is appropriate to the pace of the presentation
• Don’t rush through slides
• Don’t leave the wrong slide up when you have changed subject
• Use YouTube/videos where appropriate
• Do not use too much animation except for ‘slide build’ of complex graphic ideas that have to be illustrated
• Don’t be too clever!
• Consistent animation/transitions if used
• Use relevant quotes from inspirational figures
• Use shortcuts to turn screen black or white between important points so there is no visual distraction to what you are saying
• Never fill your screen with words so that people are reading instead of listening to you
• Use an off-white background
• Use quality original or royalty free photographs not clip art
• Do not use photographs, questionnaires or other proprietary information without permission
• Original cartoons or illustrations
• Not too many colours
• Restrict number of fonts used
• 4 x 4 rule: maximum 4 lines per slide, four words per item (if possible)
• 7 rule: never more than 7 objects (bullets, pictures, logos, headers) on any slide
• Be interactive, don’t talk ‘at’ your audience
• Accelerated learning – use ‘toys’ to stimulate brain activity
• Use audio where appropriate
• Use mood uplifting music for atmosphere setting (ensuring the venue has a music licence)
• Use shortcuts and hyperlinks to navigate around the presentation quickly
• Consider using alternatives to PowerPoint^TM such as mind mapping software
• Consider using the MAC^TM alternative Keynote^TM
• Consider NOT using presentation software at all
• Use clear language and avoid jargon (unless technical training – and even then make sure the terms are known to your audience)
• Deliver with enthusiasm and passion
• Know your subject – be able to answer questions
• Have Q&A as you go, not at the end
• Each section of training should be no more than 20 minutes long
• Have breaks so that people can absorb information
• Use recaps to embed learning, reminding of key points
• Have useful handouts that are not just printouts of the slide show
• Be interactive – use exercises and get your delegates moving
• Use the environment (outside, other rooms, etc) to stimulate your delegates
• Use tools appropriate for the audience and the learning (flipcharts, games etc)
• Make eye contact and watch the body language of your audience
• Use storytelling and anecdotes to illustrate relevant points
• Use interactive whiteboards if appropriate
• Make sure the content is targeted to your audience level
• Use samples/objects (physical) to illustrate points
• Avoid jokes unless you know your audience very, very well
• Build rapport with your audience
• Learn your material, do NOT read your slides
• Watch Barak Obama – see how he presents/talks to his audience and learn from him
• Rehearse, practice, don’t just ‘read the script’ – have live rehearsals with an audience if possible
• For your handouts you can use different artworks such as clipart etc to make valid points