The Power of the Visual: Making Slide Decks That Aren’t Terrible

The humble slide deck is a staple presentation method in virtually every consultant’s toolkit. Sadly, however, many professional slide presentations are so overdone that get in the way of the intended message of the presenter. We’re conditioned to seeing them in virtually every meeting, and these days animations and striking slide transitions alone aren’t enough to prevent your audience from emailing or texting during your presentation. (Just because it’s rude doesn’t mean they won’t do it.)

Of course, the best defense to distraction is a great offense – an engaging presentation – so here are some tips to make your slides the distraction that everyone tunes into.

Make Creating Slides an Important Afterthought

When prepping a presentation, put together your slides last. I’ve worked on teams where the technique for preparing a deliverable was to start with a series of slides only containing titles, and then gathering the information to fill them in. (We know you’ve done this, too.) If you’ve gotten used to working this way, it’s time to kick the habit. Slide decks are supposed to supplement your presentation, not BE the presentation.

Instead, first gather your thoughts into an outline. Organize everything sans PowerPoint using print-outs, index cards, the back of a napkin, a whiteboard, or, really anything but the presentation tool itself. When you feel like you could (in a pinch) give the presentation without a projector, it’s time to decide which information deserves to be on the slides.

Avoid IBPS (Infinite Bullet Point Syndrome)

Why are slides effective as a presentation tool? Because they help people process your information visually. They’re best for:

• Highlighting important numbers, details and salient facts
• Displaying key charts and infographics and other attention-grabbing visuals
• Providing digestible outlines to focus your audience on your critical points

(See what we did there: bullet points!) All of the above are rendered impossible if you cram as much information as you can into a PowerPoint, so don’t just “bulletize” everything you’re planning to say. Never read your slides. Nothing drives people to their distraction devices more quickly. So…

• Limit each slide to one main point
• Use as few bullets as possible and keep them brief
• More slides as opposed to fewer is okay if needed, as frequent transitions garner attention and focus (if you keep to the first two rules – and don’t use dizzying transitions!)

Slides Are Meant to be Seen

People remember visually appealing things. In a perfect world, the strength of your information would be more important than things like colors, layout, font size and style. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, so don’t skimp on design.

Make your presentation visually engaging. But don’t be afraid to include blank screens during long stretches of talking. After all, you (and the information you’re presenting) are the center of attention, not the slides. If you need to mix in the occasional Dilbert cartoon or appropriate meme, go for it. Just make sure that every slide and graphic – or lack thereof – reinforces what you desire to communicate to your audience.

Resources

FreeImages and EveryStockPhoto are good sources for free stock images.
SlideShare has a great tutorial on design.
And, while we don’t necessarily agree with the title, this book has some great advice for presenters: Real Leaders Don’t Do PowerPoint: How To Sell Yourself And Your Ideas