Simple Techniques to Make Your Powerpoint Presentations Successful

A slide is always seen and experienced as a third entity. Slides do not communicate by themselves but only until presenter directs our attention to them and their content. Slides illustrate they do not lead. Avoid using them as anchors and crutches. Often I see presenters upstaged or intimidated by their slides: either by the sheer number of them (which is often a mistake) or by simply giving the slides to much power.

Always make sure you direct attention to the slides you are showing. Do not let the audience wander. Stay in command of the slides you show and of course the rhythm at which you show them. For instance always remember that slides will compete with you because they are a very strong visual focus. Finish making your point then click to the next slide.

Limit the number of words on each screen. Less is always better. My rule of thumb: if you can say it instead of having the slide show it, it's always better for the presenter. It builds your credibility. Remember slides don't speak by themselves. They might be very obvious and graphic but interpretation is the key here. Linguistically speaking, there are according to language experts close to three hundred possible interpretations for every sentence spoken. Do the math.

Use key phrases and include only essential information on your slides to give you time to be the expert on the subject and comment on each key point.

When you introduce a slide always give your audience three to five seconds minimum to "land" on slide and "settle" into it. Why-Because they'll do it anyway! It again shows credibility and demonstrates your understanding of human nature. It also creates a relaxed rhythm.

When you are done commenting on a slide, redirect attention towards you. Whether you are speaking from a distance and going between slide and audience, always remember to remain the "conductor" of the event.

The speaker is the star of the show not the screens. Do not speak to your slides. Many presenters face the direction of the screen rather than their audience. It's a bit of a juggling act at first but remember that you are always 10 times more important than your slides. Your slides are powerless without you but you are not powerless without them.

Avoid the use of software generated transitions such as automatic fading effects or text effects. These features though attractive, are distracting and can quickly steal the show away from you. Special effects and all the bells and whistles of modern technology, including sound effects, could hurt your credibility. On the other hand humor and clever montages are excellent credibility builders. We're cinematically oriented and very sophisticated on average so when edited cleverly, your presentations can become unforgettable.

Limit the number of slides and limit the content of each slide. If you don't it will not only put people to sleep but could potentially hurt your credibility. Remember less and more! In addition avoid commenting on your slides. They are only there to remind you and the audience of the key points. Avoid having slides be narrative. You are the narrator. It's a very common mistake.

Be technically proficient. Get a handle on your PowerPoint clicking and computer handling OR have someone do it for you. It's kind of silly to have a great presentation but having to apologize for poor technique. Practice moving forward and backward within your presentations. Audiences often need to see the previous screen again and so on. Try to show some relaxed skills in that area.

Make sure your slides are readable from all the way in the back. Text and graphics should be large enough to read comfortably, but not so large as to upstage everything.

In the event of technical difficulties, be prepared to read of your notes and printed screens. You never know when something might go wrong.

Eric Stone is the founder, CEO-President of Speakers & Artists International, Inc., a California corporation delivering advanced courses and training programs in the arenas of public speaking, communication, empowerment and self-expression.

He's also the founder of Hollywood Actors Studio, in Beverly Hills, CA http://www.actingconnection.com where he has been developing talent and training professional actors for the film industry, directing and lecturing for the past eighteen years. Eric Stone is also a Producer, a Creative Director, and a Professional Stage, Film, Television, and Voice Actor with major national and international credits to his name. Eric is a Published Author and Internationally acclaimed award-winning artist http://www.philippebenichou.com represented in six countries around the world.

Eric is always looking for opportunities to share his passion for self-expression and growth & development. He is currently a national speaker for Vistage International, the largest CEO membership organization in the world. Current clients include Kaiser Permanente, the Tiger Woods Foundation, LA Clippers, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Walt Disney Pictures.

Methodology: In this method you learn by personal discovery and experiential wisdom using a large palette of processes, techniques and distinctions to promote self awareness. The aim being to outgrow limiting self concepts. Seldom do we recognize context as the source of our experiences. Yet all the experiences of a fish are conditioned by water and its properties. This method deals with context or medium in which the contents of our lives or work occur. Medium is used here to mean the ideological environment from which we think and act (water to fish, air to bird and man to himself.) By revealing the context in which we operate, we can reorganize limiting beliefs, thoughts and actions into a new freedom to act and a self-generated personal power.

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