A PowerPoint Suicidal

Presentations tend to be get people nervous, however sometimes it's not only the presenter who is dreading the presentation ahead of them. Yes, we've all been there -- the PowerPoint presentation. A program that was originally designed to assist the presenter, but for most users it becomes a one-way ticket to completely killing their audiences. ''Death By PowerPoint-- By Andrew Wahl" is an article that explains how to avoid misusing PowerPoint. In this post I'll be using that article to summarize the rights and wrongs of using PowerPoint.

There's no point in putting down the program though, since the problem isn't usually PowerPoint itself, it's how effectively the user uses it to create a good presentation. One sign that points towards a successful PowerPoint presentation is the audiences reaction. If there's no reaction at all, you know you've done something wrong. The article talks about many flaws with PowerPoint, but there are 5 major points, I find that can stop you from destroying what could have been something great.

1) Boredom is the world's best silent killer
The format in a PowerPoint is usually the same. A title, and information in point form following it. Now imagine endless slides following that same format...BORING. Keep your audience entertained, switch the format around. Try putting down supporting details on one slide and a conclusion on the next slide. Changing presenters every few slides is a good idea as well.

2) Point form isn't for Essays so why right a report on PowerPoint?
Anyone can read a book or a report on the subject of your presentation. They can also read the paragraphs written on your PowerPoint for that same point, but then they wouldn't be called PowerPoint presentations would they? The focus of the audience should be on the presenter not what's written on the PowerPoint slide. Instead the PowerPoint should have points summarizing what the presenter says.

3) If you DO 'know it all' keep it to yourself.
Don't talk endlessly on ONE slide. You don't to include every tiny detail into your presentation. Only state information that is necessary and move through your presentation at a good pace. This will help keep the audience interested and result in a well-presented presentation.

4) Reading off of the slides is a Big No-no.
The PowerPoint is there to help the presenter not the other way around, and that's how it should be. If you end up reading right from the slide, the audience won't get much from the 'presentation' itself. The slides should have smooth transitions right from one topic to the next supporting what goes along with them, and before and after them.

5) Get them involved!
Interacting with your audience even before the presentation gives the presentation a good base to start with. Question and answer sessions between the presenter and the audience is always good. It shows that you know your stuff, but also it gets the audience involved. It also helps everyone remember the information being given. A good strategy to this would be, having a friend sitting in the audience that could ask questions about your PowerPoint.

The article suggests that with these 5 key points, and your own creativity, your PowerPoint can wow many and do wonders for both you and your audience.