Never prepare over-elaborate slides. Only include the really essential bits of text and back them up with a few meaningful images.
There are many different opinions on how you should prepare visual aids. But what we do know is that they must effectively support your talk.
So prepare your slides to follow the structure of your presentation and the sequence of concepts you want to deal with.
And don’t go overboard with slides which display too much content and text.
One slide for each important point will be more than enough.
Remember that graphs or charts with statistics usually take much more time to explain, and for the audience to absorb, than slides with little information or a single image.
Only display facts and figures that you think are really important.
If you include text, use short simple, direct and effective sentences.
Include quotes or powerful statements.
Keep the layout and graphics simple. Use a large, clear font and only a few bullet points.
Use special effects, animations or videoclips only if they really add something to your talk.
Don’t waste your time creating over-elaborate slides with too much detail, or too many images, colours, fonts or animations. They will only distract the audience from what you are trying to say.
(Hi, I’m still here!)
Keep it simple at all times!
