Learning about ideas and strategies through monotonous text can become dull and unappealing for an audience. Therefore, using visual aids like Powerpoint presentations becomes necessary, especially in the business world where management needs to understand data to make decisions. When you present your ideas and insights using graphics, animation, and colors, the audience understands and responds to them better.
According to Jim DePalma, these visual presentations aim to educate and persuade the audience. Using images, graphs, and flowcharts in presentations makes sharing your data and findings easier. Communication becomes easier when you highlight issues or mistakes in the work, as you can stay on one page and discuss it. Here is a quick guide on how to make persuasive presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Presentation Guide – Explained by Jim DePalma
1. Learn to Use the Software
If you are unfamiliar with MS PowerPoint, the interface and its many tools might initially seem overwhelming. Finding out what these tools do is most important. The ribbon contains various tabs.
Beginners should first learn about fundamentals like using fonts, font sizes, font styles, and tabs. Even knowing these basics well would make your presentation appealing.
2. Adding Content
Jim DePalma believes that knowing the contents you will be presenting is crucial for making an engaging, well-organized presentation. Before making the presentation in MS PowerPoint, collect all the information and ideas you want to present.
Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to select the layout for their content. Besides design, MS PowerPoint has a Themes feature, which helps users give their presentation a cohesive look. You also have the option of using a custom theme to make the presentation look completely original.
3. Adding Visuals
Most people are visual learners. Visuals are easy to understand, grab the audience’s attention, and help share complex ideas in an easy-to-understand way.
MS PowerPoint offers users a suite of tools that can enhance presentations visually. These tools include images, flow charts, graphs, clipart, and shapes. Users can also modify the layout and make additions according to their content. Adding visual elements like charts to support the text on screen help drive the point better and aid the audience in understanding faster.
Adding visuals to your presentation can stir the audience’s emotions and draw the desired reactions, like empathy or laughter. Visuals help the presenter connect with the audience and keep it engaged.
4. Animation and Transitions
Another way to grab your audience’s attention and add life to your presentation is by animating your slides. Once you know how to add visuals to your presentation, use MS PowerPoint’s animation and transition features to spice up your work.
Jim DePalma states that animations can amp up your presentation; they provide exciting transitions between slides and give your work a more professional look. The trick to using animations well is to use them in moderation. Overusing these animations can look gimmicky and make your presentation seem amateurish.
Final Thoughts From Jim DePalma
Creating PowerPoint presentations can be challenging, but having some basic knowledge can ease the process. Jim DePalma believes engaging your audience is crucial to stand out; a positive, memorable experience keeps you in the light.
Make sure the elements you are using in your presentation help convey information and do not complicate things. Your presentation has clearly defined takeaways shared with the audience, so everyone is on the same page. Make sure the information you share leads to the point you want to make.