The modern-day guide to presentations

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Once upon a time a modern presentation was death by Powerpoint. While said software might still be used, it would certainly be fair to say that presentations have become significantly more innovative over the years.

Of course, for those people stuck in their ways, it can be tricky to get back on trend. It’s for this reason that this guide has been put together, as we take a look at some of the best methods to spice up a business presentation and really make it wow your audience.

Pick your venue strategically

At times, this might be out of your control. If you do have the power to choose a venue, take maximum advantage though.

The very best meeting spaces allow you to make the most out of any presentation. They will have all the latest visual and audio equipment, whilst even providing more traditional accessories like flip charts which can just add something different to a presentation.

Again, it’s not going to be available all of the time, but if you do have access to such rooms make sure your presentation makes use of them.

Hotels in central locations can be a good option as they are used to having a large number of corporate bookings, often with advanced equipment to deal with presentation needs.

Ditch the standard templates

Now your venue is in order, it’s time to get the actual presentation down to a tee. We’ve mentioned the P-word already (Powerpoint), but let’s highlight that if done correctly there’s still every chance you can have the audience eating from the palm of your hand with this software.

One huge mistake is to utilize the standard templates though. These are just asking for audience members to roll their eyes. Instead, opt for something completely out of the ordinary, or invest the resource into creating your own template which can really show that you mean business.

Don’t bulk up your text

You might be looking to get a detailed message across, but you don’t have to write a dissertation to do so. Another common mistake with these presentations is to write in bulky paragraphs, which are hard to digest and just plain ugly.

Instead, shorter sentences are your best bet. Sure, they might not contain all of the information you desire, but this is where you, the presenter, steps in. You can tell a story around the screen, rather than letting the words on there do all of the talking for you.

Never read from the screen (or script)

The previous point leads on perfectly to this next one. A lot of inexperienced presenters will piece together their Powerpoint, before turning up and reading it aloud. Whilst it might appear harsh, such an approach is plain lazy.

You should effectively put together two elements of your presentation; what appears on the screen and what comes out of your mouth. The latter really can make or break your presentation and if this is lacking, your audience will know immediately. If, on the other hand, your slides aren’t quite up to scratch – you can get away with things a little more.

Sure, it’s more work, but it’s worth it in the long run.