![]() Presentation Templates: Another visual cliché.Two popular screen capture programs are Snagit (for Windows and Snapz Pro (for Macintosh. If you do, use your own scanned photographs or better-quality graphics from companies such as PhotoDisc (or Hemera’s Photo Objects (Screen captures can add realism when presenting information about a Website or computer program. First, make certain that you need graphical images to enhance your message. Standard Clipart: Death to screen beans! PowerPoint© is now so widely used the clipart included with it has become a “visual cliché.” It shows a lack of creativity and a tired adherence to a standard form.Focus on your message, not the technology. ![]() Even “builds” (lines of text appearing each time you click the mouse) can be distracting. Unless you are presenting at a science fiction convention, leave out the laser-guided text! Leave the fade-ins, fade-outs, wipes, blinds, dissolves, checkerboards, cuts, covers and splits to Hollywood filmmakers. Such gimmicks rarely enhance the message you’re trying to communicate. Worse yet, when a presentation containing several effects and transitions runs on a computer much slower than the one on which it was created, the result is a sluggish, almost comical when viewed. Slide Transitions And Sound Effects: Transitions and sound effects can become the focus of attention, which in turn distracts the audience.For the best results, avoid these common “seven deadly sins” of PowerPoint© presentations. The key to success is to make certain your slide show is a visual aid and not a visual distraction. However, slideshows can also spell disaster even for experienced presenters. ![]() Slideshows are quick to produce, easy to update and effective to inject visual interest into the presentation. It’s not surprising PowerPoint© slideshows have become the norm for visuals in most business presentations. The Seven Deadly Sins of PowerPoint Presentations If you believe something will be hard to read or understand, don’t use it. Do not apologize for anything in your presentation.Many presenters face their presentation onscreen rather than their audience. The content of your slides is for the audience, not for the presenter. Ask them for honest feedback about colors, content and any effects or graphic images you’ve included. Practice with someone who has never seen your presentation.Remember that transparencies and handouts will not show animation or other special effects. Have a Plan B in the event of technical difficulties.Text and graphic images should be large enough to read but not so large as to appear “loud.” Make sure the slides are readable from the back row seats. If possible, view your slides on the screen you’ll be using for your presentation.Audiences often ask to see a previous screen again. Know how to and practice moving forward and backward within your presentation.PowerPoint allows the presenter to jump ahead or back without having to page through all the interim slides. Learn to navigate your presentation in a nonlinear fashion.A good rule of thumb is one slide per minute. Presenters who constantly “flip” to the next slide are likely to lose their audience. Use the feature only when necessary to make your point, because builds can slow your presentation. ![]()
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