
In the past, I've explained in detail the dos and don'ts of slide-making as well as how to give great presentations. This post summarizes my very best advice for creating and giving presentations that are truly memorable.
- Build your presentation around the decision you want made.
- Structure the presentation as a journey through a series of emotions.
- Keep it simple. Your audience doesn't want or need more complexity.
- Cut your intro down to a maximum of two sentences.
- Cut your presentations to half as long as you originally thought they should be.
- Include only simple graphics and highlight important data points.
- Use a slide background that's simple with a neutral color.
- Eliminate slides that you might need to skip due to time constraints.
- Expunge business buzzwords from your slides (and your vocabulary).
- Use large fonts in simple faces, like Arial.
- Limit the distracting use of special effects and visual gimcracks.
- Customize every presentation because every audience is different.
- Unless it's a keynote, cut your presentation down to 20 minutes or less.
- No matter what, rehearse your presentation at least 20 times.
- Schedule presentations when audiences can give you their full attention.
- Check your equipment setup well in advance.
- Have somebody else introduce you; it creates anticipation.
- Don't start with an apology lest you seem like a victim.
- Don't review your company's history because nobody cares.
- Kick off with a shocking fact, surprising insight, or unique perspective.
- Keep your front to your audience; don't look back at the screen.
- Be yourself; audiences immediately sense if you're not being genuine.
- Don't fidget with papers, jewelry, glasses, or clothing.
- Speak directly to individuals in the audience, moving from person to person.
- Tell a story that casts your audience as the hero and you as the sidekick.
- Use facts that are quantifiable, verifiable, memorable, and dramatic.
- Slow down. Slow down. Slow down.
- Never read from your slides. It irritates everyone.
- Be upbeat and positive but don't tell jokes unless you're a comedian.
- Avoid hot buttons (e.g., politics) that will distract from your message.
- Identify and emphasize the next step you want the audience to take.
- Don't ask for extra time because you're late; instead end on schedule.
- Have a question or two up your sleeve in case nobody has one.
Sep 23, 2014