Like many forms of media that have come before — from newspapers and magazines, to television and movies — PowerPoint is a visual medium. PowerPoint allows you to display images that will coincide, illuminate and amplify your spoken words.
How can we do that most effectively?
The answer is simple but not necessarily easy: use big, clear images. Use photographs, artwork and illustrations that clearly extend your message. Use them as a backdrop to create a stage or atmosphere. Use them to illustrate a point. Use them to draw attention to a process or a detail in a process. Use them to stir the emotions. But don’t use them to just repeat your words.
My process begins after I have created an outline and used placeholders for each slide (an effective way to do this is with sticky notes). I will start working through my presentation and looking for opportunities to use images to help deliver a point.
Make sure your images are clear and easy to understand — in other words you want the audience “to get” your idea fast. The visuals should deliver your message quickly and efficiently and not overly distract. You don’t want your slides to draw attention away from you. You are the reason the audience is there, after all.
Use big images. I personally default to using singular, big, fill-the-screen images. I would encourage you to take full advantage of the real estate you have — don’t place a small, wimpy image in a large white screen. Take advantage of the drama that a big, well-done image can impart.
And speaking of well-done — use the best images you can get. Often that means investing time in your research as well as investing some money to get top quality, professional images. There are copious stock photography and illustration resources on the web. Don’t download cheesy, low-resolution images from Google images. It will brand you as an amateur and possibly expose you to legal action. If you want look like a pro, use professional images.
When you ensure that your images are clear and easy to understand, big and dramatic and of the best quality to can get you will be a long way towards building a powerful, effective and well-received presentation.
Next week: Step 4 — Making numbers meaningful.
