Tips for Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Or, “How Mr. Salinas Saved My Slideshow from Looking Like His

Lame Slideshows” Slideshow

FONTS

• Select sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica. Avoid serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Palatino as they are sometimes more difficult to read.

• Use no font size smaller than 24 point.• Clearly label each screen. Use a larger font (35-

45 points) or different color for the title.• Use a single sans-serif font for most of the

presentation. Use different colors, sizes and styles (bold, underline) for impact.

FONTS, continued…

• Avoid italicized fonts as they are difficult to read quickly.

• No more than 6-8 words per line• For bullet points, use the 6 x 6 Rule. One

thought per line with no more than 6 words per line and no more than 6 lines per slide

• Use dark text on light background or light text on dark background. However, dark backgrounds sometimes make it difficult for some people to read the text.

• Do not use ALL CAPS except for TITLES.• To test the font, stand back six feet from the

monitor and see if you can read the slide.

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Kingwood DermatologyKingwood Dermatology

The practice was founded in 1990 by Dr. Greenberg & Dr. The practice was founded in 1990 by Dr. Greenberg & Dr. Rabin. The partnership is shared equally by 4 partners, so Rabin. The partnership is shared equally by 4 partners, so each is responsible for 25% of income as well as debt. the each is responsible for 25% of income as well as debt. the kingwood dermatology specializes in cosmetics, products, an kingwood dermatology specializes in cosmetics, products, an general dermatology. there are two partners, two associates, general dermatology. there are two partners, two associates, and twenty two employees divided into three locations. They and twenty two employees divided into three locations. They are open 38-40 hours per week. the risks this company faces are open 38-40 hours per week. the risks this company faces are that this company can be sued for malpractice and keep are that this company can be sued for malpractice and keep liscenses up to date. Motivation for these entrepreneurs are liscenses up to date. Motivation for these entrepreneurs are the choices having money creates. to find this business id the choices having money creates. to find this business id open a line of credit and get a loan. the key elemnt to this open a line of credit and get a loan. the key elemnt to this business’ success is to provide service as people want business’ success is to provide service as people want aswell as give customer service.aswell as give customer service.

Graphics and DesignGraphics and Design

Keep the background consistent and subtle.Keep the background consistent and subtle. Use only enough text when using charts or Use only enough text when using charts or

graphs to explain clearly label the graphic.graphs to explain clearly label the graphic. Keep the design clean and uncluttered. Leave Keep the design clean and uncluttered. Leave

empty space around the text and graphicsempty space around the text and graphics Use quality clipart and use it sparingly. The Use quality clipart and use it sparingly. The

graphic should relate to and enhance the topic graphic should relate to and enhance the topic of the slide.of the slide.

● Established on April 1, 1976.

● Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne.

Graphics and DesignGraphics and Design

Try to use the same style graphics throughout the Try to use the same style graphics throughout the presentation (e.g. cartoon, photographs)presentation (e.g. cartoon, photographs)

Limit the number of graphics on each slide.Limit the number of graphics on each slide. Check all graphics on a projection screen before the Check all graphics on a projection screen before the

actual presentation.actual presentation. Avoid flashy graphics and noisy animation effects Avoid flashy graphics and noisy animation effects

unless they relate directly to the slide. unless they relate directly to the slide. Limit the number of transitions used. It is often Limit the number of transitions used. It is often

better to use only one so the audience knows what to better to use only one so the audience knows what to expect.expect.

Kingwood MMAKingwood MMA Founder- Michael Shiles, in 1999Founder- Michael Shiles, in 1999 Major Goods- teaching people MMA (Mixed Martial Major Goods- teaching people MMA (Mixed Martial

Arts)Arts) Headquarters- Kingwood, TxHeadquarters- Kingwood, Tx Acquired other Companies- NoAcquired other Companies- No Stock Prices- $6.56Stock Prices- $6.56 6 Months- $6.686 Months- $6.68 1 year- $7.021 year- $7.02

ColorColor

Limit the number of colors on a single screen.Limit the number of colors on a single screen. Bright colors make small objects and thin lines Bright colors make small objects and thin lines

stand out. However, some vibrant colors are stand out. However, some vibrant colors are difficult to read when projected.difficult to read when projected.

Use no more than four colors on one chart.Use no more than four colors on one chart. Check all colors on a projection screen before Check all colors on a projection screen before

the actual presentation. They may project the actual presentation. They may project differently than what appears on the monitor.differently than what appears on the monitor.

Snow Cone Factory

• Founder- Elisabeth Jules• Major Goods- Selling Snow Cones• Headquarters- Kingwood, Tx• Acquired other Companies- No• Stock Prices-?• 6 Months- ?• 1 year-?(such a small business they didn’t know what there stock was.)

General PresentationGeneral Presentation

Check the spelling and grammar.Check the spelling and grammar. Do not read the presentation. Practice the Do not read the presentation. Practice the

presentation so you can speak from bullet points. The presentation so you can speak from bullet points. The text should be a cue for the presenter rather than a text should be a cue for the presenter rather than a message for the viewer.message for the viewer.

Give a brief overview at the start. Then present the Give a brief overview at the start. Then present the information. Finally review important points.information. Finally review important points.

It is often more effective to have bulleted points It is often more effective to have bulleted points appear one at a time so the audience listens to the appear one at a time so the audience listens to the presenter rather than reading the screenpresenter rather than reading the screen ..

General PresentationGeneral Presentation

Use a wireless mouse or pick up the wired Use a wireless mouse or pick up the wired mouse so you can move around as you speak.mouse so you can move around as you speak.

If sound effects are used, wait until the sound If sound effects are used, wait until the sound has finished to speak.has finished to speak.

If the content is complex, print out the slides If the content is complex, print out the slides so the audience can take notes.so the audience can take notes.

Do not turn your back on the audience. Try to Do not turn your back on the audience. Try to position the monitor so you can speak from it.position the monitor so you can speak from it.