| Effective communication begins with an effective | | | | these pictures are presented is equally as important |
| presentation. From the words, to the graphics, to the | | | | as the picture itself. Consider lamination to properly |
| materials that you use for the presentation - it all | | | | preserve and highlight this important aspect of your |
| works together to create the most effective | | | | presentation. |
| communication vehicle possible. Be it the overall | | | | The Don'ts: |
| finishing, such as the binding, folding or lamination you | | | | 1)Avoid Saying Too Much: |
| select, or the content contained inside, everything | | | | While you may be wildly excited about your subject, |
| communicates and you should use all of the tools in | | | | don't assume your audience has hours of time to |
| your arsenal to communicate effectively. To that | | | | devote to reading and absorbing the information. |
| end, the following are some Dos and Don'ts to keep | | | | Make your points clearly and concisely and move on. |
| in mind in the effective creation of a presentation. | | | | There is no reason to use 5 words when one or two |
| The Do's: | | | | are just as effective in helping you tell your story. |
| 1)Know Your Stuff: | | | | 2)Don't Forget the Devil in The Details: |
| This may seem quite obvious, but researching and | | | | From the presentation cover, to it's binding to the |
| developing a complete understanding of the | | | | first and last sentences, details count. A professional |
| presentation subject is the foundation for any | | | | overall appearance draws your readers in to the |
| effective presentation. Do your homework and it will | | | | presentation in a way that little else can. After this |
| pay off in the end | | | | initial response, however, everything else in the |
| 2)Stick To Your Story: | | | | presentation must deliver on this promise of quality. |
| Your presentation should have one purpose in mind | | | | Check your spelling, grammar and sentence structure |
| and stick to that purpose from beginning to end. Ask | | | | over and over again, and not just by using your |
| yourself these questions at the beginning of any | | | | computer's spell-check or grammar-check program. |
| presentation development process; Am I selling | | | | Read the presentation out loud to make sure you |
| something? Am I persuading someone? Am I | | | | are saying exactly what you want to say - from |
| educating someone? Or simply entertaining my | | | | beginning to end. |
| audience? Create your story and don't get off track. | | | | 3)Stop Using The Wrong Images: |
| 3)"Remember that "Books" are Judged By Their | | | | There are many correct ways to use a visual in a |
| Covers: | | | | presentation, and just as many incorrect ones. Too |
| You may have been admonished to "Never judge a | | | | small, too blurry, overly-complicated, or just plain |
| book by its cover," but when creating an effective | | | | distracting images will have the opposite effect on |
| presentation, you should adhere to a different adage: | | | | your audience than you wish to create. Good, clear |
| "Don't leave anything to chance." A | | | | and effective visuals are the best way to go - and |
| professional-looking presentation can push your | | | | highlighting them with the proper framing, laminating |
| audience toward a positive decision the moment they | | | | or other enhancement only serves to make your |
| see it. Laminated covers and well-bound presentations | | | | presentation stronger. |
| are the best way to ensure your audience will be | | | | 4)Avoid Getting it done on the "Cheap:" |
| excited to open up and see what's next! | | | | Saving on overhead when preparing your |
| 4)Have a Beginning, Middle, (Summary) and End: | | | | presentation may seem like a good idea, but think |
| It may seem like Theme-Paper Writing 101, but "the | | | | again! Cutting corners by not creating a |
| basics" are "the basics" for a reason - they work! | | | | professional-looking presentation, including everything |
| People think, and perceive information in a similar | | | | from the cutting, folding, binding and cover creation, |
| way. It is natural for them to follow this well-known | | | | can cause you to lose big in the long run. If you cut |
| pattern, starting with an Opening that sets the stage | | | | corners on your presentation or proposal, you may |
| for the rest of the presentation, a Body in which the | | | | cut corners on the project or product you are |
| overall subject is presented, a Summary to touch on | | | | proposing. Do it right the first time and get the |
| major points, and a Closing, usually with some "call to | | | | chance to do it again - and again! |
| action" for your audience. | | | | 5)Don't Forget the Call to Action! |
| 5)Put it in a Picture: | | | | Telling the story about your product or service is |
| Studies have shown that people learn more quickly | | | | great - but forgetting to tell the audience what you |
| and retain information better when the subject is | | | | would like them to do with this information is a big |
| reinforced with visuals. Your audience will get your | | | | mistake! Don't miss the opportunity to end your |
| point immediately with the use of the right visual, | | | | presentation with a simple, specific call to action, |
| making it literally "worth a thousand words." Clear and | | | | usually tied to a deadline for feedback of some kind. |
| simple graphics or pictures used for full-effect are the | | | | This will give your "story" the happy ending you are |
| best way to connect with your audience. The way | | | | looking for! |