If you have to put together an effective and communicative Keynote or PowerPoint presentation for the first time, don’t panic. Follow these simple steps and you’ll wow them in the back rows.

Remember: content is king

• Research your topic thoroughly.
• Make sure any images you use to illustrate your presentation are appropriate to the point(s) you wish to make.
• Avoid using jokey images. They may fall flat and you’ll look like a moron.

Organization

• There should be a logical flow from the first slide to the very last. Plan accordingly by working on the outline of your key points before you actually start creating the slides.
• Use text sparingly. Remember: if your audience is concentrating on written text, they are not listening to what you’re saying.

Design

• Avoid using pastel colours that won’t work well on screen.
• Use one visual style throughout the slide-show. Changes in font, text size, colour, etc will distract your audience.
• Use large enough font-sizes throughout so the people at the back of the room can still read each slide.
• Don’t go overboard on animations or flashy transitions. They’ll distract the audience.

The Presentation

• Avoid switching between programs such as calling up a Web page or a PDF. Embed any info you need into your presentation.
• Don’t rush your audience. Three slides per minute is pushing it.
• If you want the audience to take notes leave them sufficient time to do so.
• Don’t make your presentation too long. Audiences tend to have the attention span of goldfish.

And finally…
Try and practice the presentation by showing it to someone.

Photo: Michael Sparks explains how Kamaelia is built from components at EuroOSCON. Courtesy Matt Hammond

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