Lawyers like words, but words don't make for memorable PowerPoint presentations. In fact, nothing turns off an audience more than reading from a slide. Your slides should not mimic what you say, but should instead support what you say. After all, the audience came to see you, not a screen.
The next time you prepare a PowerPoint presentation for a beauty contest, CLE seminar, or other purpose, consider doing what I do — skimp on the words and pump up the visuals. If your slides cannot stand on their own as a handout, you'll know you've succeeded. Yes, succeeded! Hand out your business card rather than the presentation — or create a video version with you speaking over each slide, and make it available for download from your site.
Most of the slides I create limit the use of words to the title and subtitle. The rest of the slide typically features photos and/or charts. Also, forget about using the stock photos that ship with PowerPoint. Nowadays, you can purchase professional photographs for as little as $1 each from sites like iStockPhoto, BigStockPhoto, and Fotolia.
When I do need to use words, I use bullet points, and limit each bullet to 3-5 words (one line, no wrapping). These rules prevent me from writing my speech on the slide, and also enable me to use a larger font size, making it easier for my audience to read.
To make my bullets more interesting, I often associate each one with a different image. You can accomplish this effect by using "builds," which enable you to control the placement and timing of elements on a slide. Take a look at this quick example I mocked up (QuickTime format).
If you use the above tips, I guarantee your presentations will make more of an impact and outshine your competition.
Do you have any PowerPoint tips of your own to share?
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A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.
