There’s no such thing as a perfect PowerPoint presentation. We’re all bound to make mistakes in some way. But, at the very least, you want to make it the best session for your viewers.
To do that, you must avoid the common mistakes that most presenters make. Some of these small errors ruin the mood of the entire presentation and as such, you must be alert the whole time.
Well, safe to say that, you’re in the right place. In this post, you learn the do and don’ts of PowerPoint presentation. And in the end, you’ll present your case in a more professional manner.
Reading from the Slides
Nothing shouts a lack of preparation than reading from the slides. In fact, it downright pisses off the audience.
For one, it’s a clear sign that you didn’t take time to understand your topic. And two, the lack of eye contact, means there’s no connection with the viewer.
To the audience, these are signals of a boring session, in the waiting.
Using Boring, Unprofessional Designs
While it’s always good to keep things simple, it shouldn’t be again, too basic. Spice up your design with both free and paid templates on hislide.io .
You should also check on the font, images, and wording in the presentation. Make sure they are attractive, and easy to read.
Being Inaudible
At that moment, the chances are, you’re nervous and the pressure is getting to you which may affect your clarity in speech.But the thing is, not being audible, is a one-way ticket to “boredoms Ville” for your audience.
Besides, they came to listen and not read or decipher gibberish talk.
Poor Time Management
Yes, during a presentation, every second matters. Why?
It’s because you still want to have enough time for questions, videos, or a story. It should all fit in your timeline.
Remember, that your viewers have other things to do. So, keep it short, and to the point, when driving the message across. You also avoid going under your time, as it’s an amateur move.
Having Bad ClipArt
Your presentation is a direct reflection of the effort put in. And so, having poor quality images shows you didn’t take time to prepare well.
In fact, low-resolution images are distracting and hard to look at. So basically, you’ll have lost your audience before you even start.
Using controversial images also dents your chances of success.
Forgetting to Introduce the Topic
Not mentioning the topic is a major turnoff for the audience. It doesn’t lure them into the discussion and it instead, leaves them lost in direction.
So always have a topic and introduce it at the very beginning.
Lacking a Proper Ending
A complete presentation always has a call to action. It summarizes the basis of the whole session and gives direction.
So not having one leaves this question on every viewer’s mind.
What’s was the point of all that?
See, even the distracted lot always comes around at the end. In fact, they’re always waiting to hear the word “Finally.”
So, at the finish line, mention the key takeaways and if there’s a CTA, do it too. A Call to Action motivates viewers to take the next steps.
Not Having a Back-Up plan
Without alternatives, even the best presenters, crumble. As such, you must have a solution for any scenario that arises.
Perhaps, there might be a blackout, or the video you embed refuses to play. In any case, playing out all possible cases will not only ensure you come out on top, but you’ll also look more organized and professional.
Not Dressing the Part
Your choice of wear comes second to the delivery. As such, you must leverage it for success.
Inappropriate dressing diverts the viewers’ attention from the presentation. And instead shifts the focus to you and your kinky wear.
As a rule, always avoid being too casual or shiny when presenting. And at the very least, look professional
For example, if you’re presenting to your bosses, wear a suit, or a formal dress.
To wrap it up
When it comes to presentations nothing is easy. You spend hours making slides, coming up with relevant content and designs. So, don’t let the small details derail your efforts.
Instead, make a point of using this check list, every time you plan on making a presentation.
