Perfect PowerPoint Tips (PPT) #1
Presentation is an art of persuasion, and if your presentation involves Powerpoint (PPT), then PPT is part of the art. I re-learned this the hard way recently… even I always preach it!!!
Remember, humans, are influenced by a non-rational factor too. Logic & emotion are tightly twinned…
Rule 1: Create a positive cycle
- Most people are biased. And people want proof. And they will find evidence to prove they are right.
- Hence, if you are already in their bad book, subconsciously, they will proactively try to find proof to confirm that. If they see extra space in PPT, they will think, “see, I am right, this guy has zero attention to details!”. This will take a long and hard time to reverse.
Rule 2: Every single point counts
- Do you notice that if someone gets into a bad mood, every discussion seems to end badly? And vice versa?
- Similarly, you want to make sure all your tiny details, logic or typesetting, text or graphics, all are so nicely done that you put your audience in a nice, comfy sofa that they just want to be nice to you, maybe even offering you a hug.
Rule 3: Most people look for an easy answer
- Tell people what you want them to takeaway. If you don’t, don’t be surprised they form a totally opposite conclusion.
- The takeaway should be the loudest and biggest of all on a page, and of your PPT.
- Then the rest of your page, as needed, is to help prove your takeaway is correct.
- I have seen many people put their most important points (takeaways) in the tiniest text at the bottom, while the title in big words proclaims “PRICING CHART”. I bet your audience is clever enough to figure that out.
- But I am not sure they will form the opinion you want them to have. Because you let them have a free hand to interpret your chart as they like.
- Thinking is painful. Most people look for an easy answer.
- If you provide them the easy answer (loudly and clearly, as the biggest text on the page), and the proof they need to prove themselves as correct, most will gladly accept it.
- Hence the rest of your page (or your talk) will serve to show them the proof.
- This gives them an easy way out. Then their brain will not hurt.
Rule 4: If your work is rubbish, all above will not matter
- Above are not shortcuts/excuses for not delivering what you suppose to deliver!