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AnchorDesk Staff
Get an Ovation with Your Presentation

AnchorDesk Staff
ZDNet AnchorDesk
Tuesday, September 19, 2000
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I make dozens of keynote addresses and speeches a year. I always use PowerPoint, and I always get a thunderous ovation.

I've combed the Net for expert tips and tricks to help you put the "power" in your presentations. So you can spend less time in front of the computer and more time in front of an audience. (I'll even tell you my secret trick that guarantees applause each time.)

POWER STEERING
Despite PowerPoint's user-friendliness, a few simple tweaks can make the program even easier.

Shortcut Keys: Shortcut keys can reduce tedious mouse clicks. For example:
  • CTRL+M = Insert a new slide
  • CTRL+D = Duplicates current slide
  • F4 or CTRL+Y = Repeat your last action
  • CTRL+K = Insert a hyperlink
For more, check out the Microsoft PowerPoint Homepage:

Custom Toolbar: Creating a toolbar tailored to your needs can save you tons of time. PowerPoint Backgrounds explains how:

  • Go to the Tools Menu
  • Click Customize
  • Click New
  • Enter a name ("My Toolbar")
  • Click on the commands tab
  • Select each button and drag it to your new toolbar

Shrink those files
PowerPoint files are great when stored on a notebook, but exchanging or emailing them can be a challenge. PowerPoint Background recommends the following to get those files down to size:

  • Turn off "Fast Saves" once you are done, this makes the actual .ppt files smaller
  • Files can be made even smaller by choosing "Files," then "Properties," and turning off "Save Preview Image"

BUILDING A BETTER PRESENTATION
The versatility that makes PowerPoint so great can also be its worst enemy. Newbie users cram presentations with distracting animations, sound and video. Before you begin crafting your perfect PowerPoint pitch, use the following guidelines:

Never want for a font
Click on the font selection in PowerPoint and you drown in a sea of typefaces. Forget most of them. PresentersUniversity.com suggests the following rules of thumb:

  • Use sans-serif fonts, such as Helvetica, when using a projector. Serifs look fuzzy.
  • Use only one sans-serif font.
  • Don't use italics unless necessary.
  • Use white text on dark background or dark text on a light background.

Size does matter
Presenting from a laptop is much different than using a projector. RoadTools.com has the following helpful hints:

  • A 1-inch letter is readable from 10 feet. Two-inch letters from 20 feet, 3-inch letters from 30 feet, etc.
  • Assume 72-point fonts are 1 inch high. If you can, know the room you will be presenting in ahead of time and adjust as necessary.
  • Don't sacrifice readability for style. Don't bury your text in between pictures and under animations.

And now for my super secret tip that guarantees a thunderous ovation: Use PowerPoint's audio capabilities to record your own applause. When your speech is over, just hit play and bask in another job well done.

Do you have any PowerPoint tips? Hit the TalkBack button and share them with me. I'll post the best ones. Or visit my Berst Alert Forum, where a discussion is already under way.

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