Avoid the Most Common Presentation Problems - Using Powerpoint

First of all, I have to remind you something, check out this picture:

Well, you probably one of many people who needs to presented something, maybe you’re an employee, or maybe you’re a college student just like me. I’ve been presented many things using power point, and see someone else presented using powerpoint. And I realized, when the topic that you brought isn’t really interesting for the audience, you need a mood-booster for them – not a hostess! Okay. So it's a good time to review how to avoid the reasons presentations suck so often.

Lack of preparation or passion.

Often presentations don't work because the presenter didn't practice enough or he/she fails to convey the meaning of the presentation. When you passionately communicate the significance of your subject (maybe even with a storytelling structure for drama), audiences pay attention. To do that well, you have to practice giving your presentation; otherwise, even the most beautiful slides won't help you.

Slides are too complex, overloaded with bullets, lacking in focus, and/or filled with poor quality images.

It's easy to hate on PowerPoint for presentations that suck, but the real problem is how we're using it. Slides shouldn't be used as a prompter to read to your audience nor a place to dump as much data as possible. Instead, they're a visual communication aid to support the most important part of the presentation: you and your message. Emphasize three things for all your slides: simplicity, a clear and meaningful message, and quality visuals.

Seth Godin's five rules for avoiding really bad PowerPoints are a good guide:

1. No more than six words on a slide. EVER. There is no presentation so complex that this rule needs to be broken.
2. No cheesy images. Use professional stock photo images.
3. No dissolves, spins or other transitions.
4. Sound effects can be used a few times per presentation, but never use the sound effects that are built into the program. Instead, rip sounds and music from CDs and leverage the Proustian effect this can have. If people start bouncing up and down to the Grateful Dead, you’ve kept them from falling asleep, and you’ve reminded them that this isn’t a typical meeting you’re running.
5. Don’t hand out print-outs of your slides. They don’t work without you there.

Similarly, for our guide on how to create presentations that don't suck, communications expert Nancy Duarte offered this helpful mnemonic to keep in mind as you're making your slides:

Simplify

Lose the cliches

Information needs emphasis

Designate elements

Empathy for the audience

Thanks to Melanie Pinola