Make your points powerful

PowerPoint is the most widely used software to deliver presentations. But despite its ubiquity, many people are quite clueless about how to use the programme properly and end up boring their audience and missing their presentation target.

Actually creating a powerful PowerPoint presentation isn't rocket science, it's as simple as taking the time to understand what works and what doesn't. The following tips could be helpful to make your points powerful.

The biggest no-no is providing too much written content. People don't want to read paragraphs of text as well as hear the same information and the same time. They want to be engaged by the speaker, so bullet points will suffice. Bear in your mind that one picture worth a thousand words.

Don't expect the program itself to do all the work. "PowerPoint proponents say slideware doesn't bore people, people bore people." Make sure your presentation skills are up to scratch: a well thought-out, well-presented PowerPoint presentation should be complemented by the skills of an engaging, lively speaker.

Always keep the purpose of your presentation in your mind, which is to get your audience understand your viewpoints. Make a clear opening to cover the main topic of the presentation and make a clear ending to summerize your points. Never jam your persentation with complicate concepts and difficutl words. It would do nothing good except baffling your audiencde.

Get feedback. Don't fool yourself that your last presentation was good just because people clapped; they might have just been glad it was over. Before a major presentation ask colleagues for honest feedback that will help you hone your PowerPoint delivery skills.