How to make great presentations | 10 powerful presentation tips

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares 10 powerful techniques to improve presentation skills, whether for college projects or business meetings. Key tips include outlining your presentation before creating slides, choosing the right color palette and fonts, using engaging headers, and minimizing text. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of visual elements like graphs and high-quality images, as well as effective delivery through body language, eye contact, and engaging the audience. Practicing these techniques will help you deliver more confident and impactful presentations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Plan your presentation outline before creating slides: Consider the topic, time limit, and audience to structure your presentation effectively.
• 🎨 Choose a suitable color palette: Use colors that are aligned with your brand or topic to create a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.
• 🔠 Use sans-serif fonts: Opt for clear, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Open Sans for better readability on digital displays.
• 💡 Create powerful headers: Use catchy and concise slide titles that explain the key point of each slide to capture your audience’s attention.
• ✂️ Follow the 7x7 rule: Limit each slide to 7 words per sentence and 7 lines total to avoid overwhelming your audience with text.
• 📊 Include impactful visuals: Use high-quality graphics, such as graphs and charts, instead of text-heavy slides, to engage your audience.
• 🖼️ Use high-quality, watermark-free images: Source images from reliable platforms like Unsplash or Pixabay, and always credit them properly.
• 👀 Engage with eye contact: To overcome nervousness and connect better with the audience, make eye contact with different people throughout the room.
• 💪 Utilize body language: Good posture and hand gestures can enhance the impact of your message and convey confidence during your presentation.
• 🔁 Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times in front of a mirror or on camera to refine your delivery and boost confidence.

Q & A

What is the first step in preparing a presentation according to the script?

The first step is to sketch the outline of your presentation. This includes considering the topic, the allotted time, and the audience. You should also identify the key message you want your audience to take away.

Why is selecting a color palette important for your presentation?

A color palette is important because it helps create a visually appealing presentation. It gives your slides a theme and unifies the presentation. It also reflects the brand or organization you are presenting for, if applicable.

What type of fonts should be used in presentations and why?

You should use sans serif fonts, such as Arial or Open Sans, because they are easier to read on digital screens. Serif fonts, like Times New Roman, are harder to read due to the varying thickness of their letters.

What is the 7x7 rule for presentation slides?

The 7x7 rule suggests that a slide should contain no more than seven words per sentence and no more than seven sentences in total. This helps keep the content concise and easy for the audience to follow.

What should you avoid when adding graphics to your slides?

Avoid using cliparts, GIFs, low-quality images, or images with watermarks. Instead, use high-quality visuals, such as graphs (bar or pie charts) or professional images, and always credit the sources if the images are not your own.

How can you make your delivery more engaging during a presentation?

To make your delivery more engaging, avoid reading directly from your slides or notes. Instead, use key points on your slides and elaborate on them while maintaining eye contact with your audience.

Why is eye contact important during a presentation?

Eye contact is crucial because it helps to engage the audience and build a connection. It makes the presentation feel more personal and keeps the audience focused on you.

How can body language impact your presentation?

Body language can significantly impact your presentation. Maintaining a straight posture, using appropriate hand gestures, and making eye contact can all increase the impact of your message. Research shows that 55% of communication is non-verbal.

What is a good posture to adopt for confident delivery?

A good posture includes standing upright with a straight back. Keeping your hands in a steeple pose, where the fingers are gently touching, can also convey confidence.

What is the most important tip for improving presentation skills?

The most important tip is to practice. Rehearsing your presentation, whether in front of a mirror or by recording yourself, helps identify areas for improvement and builds confidence.