Next time you open PowerPoint to create a slide deck for a meeting or presentation, remember these super-quick tips to ensure better-looking, better-functioning slides that add visual value to your talk.
- Highlight key words by bolding, not by underlining.
- Avoid Random Caps, ALL CAPS, and inconsistencies in capitalization.
- Stamp out ugly “bumper sticker” boxes. Soften the edges, eliminate lines around them, and consider using a build so they appear only when you click.
- Use SmartArt to quickly create graphical elements.
- Use plenty of photos, as long as they add value. Show people and places the audience will enjoy seeing.
- Take and use your own photos and video clips in your slides. No worry about royalties or copyright.
- Walk to the back of the room to see how your slides actually appear to the audience. Edit as needed.
- Streamline visuals: put less on each slide, delete surplus bullets, punctuation, words & boxes around things.
- Don’t use the same headline on each slide; instead let the headlines tell your story, show movement within the presentation.
- Generally avoid dark backgrounds and stale templates unless corporate mandates. A clean white background looks fresh.
Take a fresh look at your slides today; do they pass the “great to look at” test? If not, take 5 minutes to polish them. Your audience will thank you!