By Darrell L. Browning Have a presentation coming up? A panel discussion? A report to your leadership team? A keynote address? Well, you’ve prepared your half-hour presentation to perfection. Know it like the back of your hand. Nothing can shake you. But wait: there’s a problem. You’ve prepared your presentation to a perfect half-hour. You even timed it and paced your delivery—well, good for you. Upon your arrival, they tell you have just 10 minutes. Now what do you do? Who hasn’t seen people get flustered when they know their presentation is longer than the time allowed? We illustrate this problem with a true story. Recently, our organizational development trainer watched in awe as the presenter of an address to a professional group went waaaaayyyy over his 30-minute time limit. The presenter became flustered. The audience became shifty, noisy and a pack of clock-watchers. All of this happened because, our trainer discovered, the presenter had been told he had 45-minutes, not 30, to deliver his presentation. Somebody may have goofed up, but that doesn’t matter to the audience. People never mind if you finish early but audiences always rebel when you go over your allotted time—the time they have been told—not what the speaker believed to be true. How many of us have seen the most prepared presenters instantly become lost sheep, especially when they are time-challenged? Here are some tips to avoid that: Divide your presentation into three content areas: To deliver a 30-minute speech in 10 minutes, just cover MUST know items-- those will be the ones you've highlighted in yellow on your copy of the PowerPoint presentation or note cards. Must-know items are exactly what they seem to be: the things you want your audience to focus upon. Doing this will make you appear confident at all times. And those who invited you to speak will marvel at how well you handled things. ©BrowningLaFrankie 2009. Article Source: article base Darrell L. Browning is a principal founder of BrowningLaFrankie LLC, a Philadelphia-area based company specializing in helping companies manage crises, train leaders in media and presentation skills and facilitate strategic change through leadership development and organizational development training, workshops and individual coaching. Browning is the trainer-of-choice for The Wharton School MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania in crisis communications, media training and business writing. A journalist by profession, Browning has more than 20 years of media experience with CBS-Radio, daily newspapers and national magazines. He holds degrees in Journalism and Social Sciences from The Ohio State University. 
How to Deliver a Half-hour Presentation in 10-minutes
Author: Darrell L. Browning
There are a lot of Powerpoint templates that you can make use of. The question now is how you are going to use them to the fullest or to your advantage. Today, you will learn how to use Powerpoint templates more effectively. About the Author:
The Right Way to Use the Powerpoint Templates
Author: Daniel McMillan
1. Know the theme of your Powerpoint presentation. It becomes a lot easier for you to choose your Powerpoint templates when you know the topic or the purpose of the discussion. For example, if you're attending an astronomy convention, it could be a good idea if your chosen template designs will be related to space, such as stars or planets. If it doesn't have one, then you have better chances of coming up with a more effective Powerpoint presentation with plain-colored Powerpoint templates or those that are not too flashy or colorful.
2. Download the template designs. There are a number of templates that are already included in the Powerpoint bundle of Microsoft; however, there are incomparable to the number that you can find in the World Wide Web. Thus, before you settle for the first thing that you can find, try to look for others in the Internet. A lot of them can be downloaded for free, so you don't need to worry about spending a dime for it. You can also shop for themed template designs.
3. Powerpoint templates should not cover the texts or images. The templates that you're going to use should not be too bold or too light that texts and even images don't appear clearly on the screen. Complement is the rule. If you're using light-colored texts, darker templates are advisable. The opposite is ideal if you have darker-colored words. If you will be using a lot of images, such as during product launches, go for Powerpoint templates that are of lighter hues.
4. Keep them uniform all throughout the presentation. You may be tempted to make use of different template designs all throughout the Powerpoint presentation. Don't. It doesn't just look too annoying to your audience, but it will also bring down your credibility. Consistency is always associated with professionalism. It will also save you a lot of time and effort.
5. Use the format menu. Would you like to change the existing template design of your Powerpoint presentation? It's actually very easy. You just need to save the Powerpoint template that you want to use. Then, on the Format menu of your Powerpoint application, select Apply Design Template. Locate where you have placed the template design. The choose Apply. It will change not just one but all template designs that you are currently using.
Using Help
When you are unsure of how to work your way around your Powerpoint templates, you can always hit the Help button of Powerpoint. You can also check out the websites where you got the template designs, since most of them do have guidelines on how to use their themes to your presentations. There are also plenty of tutorials, articles, and videos that can show you how to utilize templates.
If you are mesmerized by full-pictured presentation, you might be thinking it is the best way of promoting your products to your customers. If your product is an intangible product (such as informational product) and it requires more explanation and description, you need to add-in more text-contents into your slides. Basically, every single thing matters in your Powerpoint slides - including the type of fonts used in every of the slides. Futura fonts are widely used in magazine advertisements including advertisement of Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Louis Vuitton and Ikea label products. Using these fonts in the right way for your Powerpoint presentations able to attract many audiences with style. For more tips about Powerpoint presentations and presentation skills, log on to http://presentationism.com
How Do Fonts Affect Your Powerpoint Presentations?
Author: J.J. Yong
Most presenters have overlooked the effective use of simple fonts in their slides. How do these simple fonts able affect your delivering of messages to your audiences?
Words actually deliver emotions to your audiences. Therefore, different types of fonts give different impressions to your audiences. For example, if you are giving a speech in a formal function, it is not very appropriate to use "Comic Sans" font. It looks too informal and it is contrary with the actual theme. You need to gain respect from your audiences - not to turn them away.
For optimum use of simple fonts, which one of the following fonts you prefer most - "Arial" or "Times New Roman" fonts?
Whether you like it or not - "Arial" font is preferable for most Powerpoint presentations. The main concern is the distance between the letters - if you use "Arial", you will see the letters are more loose if compared to "Times New Roman". If you actually test these two fonts separately in your slides, you will find that your audiences able to see the "Arial" text-contents much clearly than the other font.
Besides using "Arial" fonts in your slides, you can use "Sans Serif" fonts which are mainly use in web and non-web publication. For your information, there are several types "Sans Serif" fonts which are available for free downloads and also for purchase via internet. If you want your presentation to look formal and elegant, I strongly recommend the use of "Futura" fonts in your slides. These fonts are commonly used in advertisement in magazines. These fonts are better placed in white-colored background slides in order to fit-in black-colored text-contents. Do not bold this particular fonts to preserve its aesthetic values.
Making Yourself Memorable: Create A Stunning Powerpoint Presentation
By Christina Greenway
Did you know that using a PowerPoint presentation can be one of the most effective ways to address a large group of people? With such a variety of learning styles, using a visual presentation allows you to reach a large group of people – particularly those who need to see it to believe it. What better way than to create a stunning PowerPoint presentation?
Have the data, but lacking that polished finish? A good way to start is to look at templates to get an idea of which style suits you and your presentation. By accessing numerous templates at http://Microsoft.com you be able to create stunning presentations. Looking at an individual slide or downloading an entire sample presentation can inspire you to be more creative with the content that you include in your own presentation. There are many charts and diagrams in different templates that can really spark your creativity and give you additional ideas to give your presentation a professional look. While looking through the samples, consider that if you are wowed by the slides, graphics, or charts, your audience probably will be too.
What works? There is no magic formula, but there are amazing presentations. With the ability to create almost anything imaginable, there is no limit to what can be included in your presentations. Vibrant colours, sleek graphics and stylish photographs all contribute to making a great presentation even better.
What does not work? Avoid the overuse of clip-art. Although there is some good quality clip-art out there, too much in a presentation can be distracting and give it an unpolished, unprofessional look. That is not to say that there isn’t a time and a place for a cleverly placed clip-art picture. Another thing to watch out for is wordiness – before adding a slide filled with text, consider adding the supplemental information in a handout.
Handouts are another great idea because you are providing your participants with additional information which adds value to your presentation. The added bonus of using handouts is that you are giving your participants additional information, which includes your contact information (a great instrument for making new connections and contacts).
Try to tie in visual cues that will help people remember and associate images with you or your company. The key is to make yourself, your presentation, and your information valuable and memorable.
About the Author: Christina is the owner of Online Office Assistants, with specialties in PowerPoint presentations and many other areas. Working as a Virtual Assistant for over a year, Christina also has an extensive background in advertising, human resources, sales, and customer service. Visit Online Office Assistants website at http://www.officeassist.ca.
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Tips On Facing Your Audience In A Powerpoint Presentation
By Thomson Chemmnoor
Presenting a perfect PowerPoint presentation is not all that lies in making a perfect presentation. The actual effectiveness of a PowerPoint presentation depends on the ability of the speaker to communicate and involve the audience in the presentation.
An important way of getting the audience involved in the presentation is by focusing on two to five key points of the PowerPoint presentation, and then emphasizing on these points. All points of the presentation should be focused on facilitating the learner’s achievement of the objectives of the PowerPoint presentation. To achieve this, it is important that you rehearse the PowerPoint presentation so that you not only memorize whatever you want to say, but also be able to interact with the audience while portraying a relaxed, professional and confident demeanor. In a way, rehearsal also alleviates stage fright. So the one best method of controlling nervousness is by visualizing success!
When using video clippings it is important to orient the audience through adequate description of the video clippings and the PowerPoint presentation. It is vital to point out the relevant findings and at the same time, allow the audience to assimilate the information before moving on. All this can be made more easily and effectively using a laser pointer, cursor or by using builds and transitioning. The main thing to remember when giving is that it should be designed to include as much audience participation as possible, no matter the size of the audience. Some of the techniques that may be employed to encourage audience participation are through questioning, small-group activities, case-based examples, and brainstorming and directed listening. The best way of motivating and gaining attention of the audience is through appropriate use of humor, anecdotes and quotations in the PowerPoint presentations. In the process, it is important to give importance to your body posture, body movement, eye contact, and of course, your voice! The voice is very important as when speaking, the impact it gives the audience has an impact on the audience’s acceptance for you.
The most important thing that makes your presentation easier on you, and more influential to the audience, is the mastery of the subject you are giving the PowerPoint presentation on. Make sure that while rehearsing, you rehearse till you know your PowerPoint presentation inside out without having to refer to slides or notes. Most of the time, speakers make the mistake of making presentations while talking about their project, their ideas, and what interests them the most. They think that what they find interesting may also interest the audience. On the contrary, while making a presentation, it is important that you tell the audience what the speech is about, and on how listening to it is going to benefit the audience. Only in this way will the audience be interested in listening to the presentation!
When making a presentation, it is important for you to speak in the language, style and point of view of the audience. It is of no use if you speak in your own language as this way, you will never reach the audience. To be effective, it is very important that you reach the style, the way of looking at things and the level of comprehension of the audience. When speaking, it is very important that you don’t look into outer space. Instead, you must look at the audience one at a time. Make it a point to spend a few seconds looking in the eyes of each person in front of you, to slowly move on to the next person. The main objective of speaking this way is so that each person feels that he or she has been personally spoken to.
However technical your presentation may be, it is important that you make the presentation as human as possible. Becoming personal in the presentation by talking about personal experiences can do this. Be vulnerable, authentic, nature. funny without jokes and above all, be human! Remember that being natural and authentic need not mean that you have to stand there whispering in your normal voice. You are presenting on stage, and so you must perform. You have to raise your voice, move around and waive your hands during the presentation. Remember that you are the center of attraction, and that you are the focal point of the audience, so make them stay awake, and not sleep in their seats. Keep your movements, voice and body language dynamic enough to keep them awake and interested in your presentation! Remembering all these points is sure to make you confident enough of yourself to face your audience in future PowerPoint presentations!
About the Author: Thomson Chemmanoor is an powerpoint expert offering powerpoint templates at his website http://www.powerpointguys.com/. For listing please visit http:www.powerpointguys.com/ for a perfect PowerPoint presentation.A place where you can find
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7 Ways on How to Come Up With a Good Powerpoint Presentation
By Daniel McMillan
There are Powerpoint presentations, and there are good Powerpoint presentations. The difference between the two is huge and extremely important. Only the good ones are remembered, reused, shared, stored, and effective.
But what are the things to keep in mind on how to make Powerpoint presentations?
1. Settle for consistent and uniform Powerpoint templates. You may be tempted to make use of different template designs all throughout the presentation. Though this appears to be cool and perhaps your method of being creative, it does not really add much to the impact you want to give to your presentation. What’s more, they are often viewed as unprofessional or un-businesslike. Just choose one of the many Powerpoint templates that you can find and apply it to all your slides. You can compensate the uniformity by the design of your fonts or the position of the holders.
2. Follow the 6-line rule. You basically do not want to bore or confuse your listeners with too many texts. Besides, the main purpose of your Powerpoint presentation is to highlight important points. To keep things simple and right on the spot, limit the number of lines and words in every slide. The suggested one is to create 6 lines with 6 words each.
3. Make sure your texts and images are clear. Powerpoint templates should complement the images and texts that you are going to utilize. Thus, if your font is black, you can go for lighter shades, such as white, yellow, or light blue. If your image is yellow, ensure that your template designs are of different shade unless you want to make the photo or graphics appear to be floating on the screen.
4. Simplicity is beauty. You are definitely entitled to adding a little bit of creativity into your Powerpoint presentations, especially in your template designs and other add-ons. However, you have to put a limit to their use. You do not want to drive away the attention of your listeners to something else.
5. Limit the slides. Too much flipping to the different slides can sometimes be too annoying. The rule of thumb is to create a slide that is good for a minute talk. Just so you can talk a lot of things with a single slide, add charts, tables, and graphs.
6. Present information in bullet points. Bullet or list form is very much encouraged if you are going to write articles, simply because it makes your copy very easy to read, and you can jump from one idea to another. It also allows easier absorption of main ideas. The same benefits are what you are going to get if you apply the same method to your presentation.
7. Check your grammar and spelling. In the end, better make sure that you will never lose your credibility by checking and double-checking your spelling and grammar. Your Powerpoint presentation can only do so much. If you do not want to end the laughing stock, find time to scrutinize every slide.
About the Author: Daniel McMillan operates Inspired Piece where you can download wide varieties of Powerpoint templates, which you can use for different purposes. They are completely for free.
