The Last PowerPoint Guide You'll Ever Need
📌 Come back to this list as you craft your next presentation
⏱ 5-minute read.
Today, we’re talking about…
To PowerPoint or Not to PowerPoint?
First, things first.
If your speech content isn’t solid (a trackable structure, memorable stories, clearly defined takeaways and sharp call to action), it won’t matter if you use PowerPoint, Google Slides or stone tablets.
I’ve seen speakers crush it with a flipchart, can of Coke and a Sharpie.
But, if you use PowerPoint (like me), this is the guide for you.
The 5 PowerPoint Commandments
1. Thou Shalt Not Use More Than 15 Words Per Slide
A slide is not a viewing window into your speech notes.
Period.
2. Thou Shalt Not Use More Than 3 Colors
Close your crayon box.
Too many colors = distraction
Pick three colors (preferably from you brand kit) and stick with them.
3. Thou Shalt Stop with the Animations
You don’t work at Pixar.
At a minimum, you may have or word (or two) magically appear.
But my advice: Cut all of it. Let your voice and tone do the animating.
4. Thou Shalt Only Use Hi-Res Pics (With ☝️ Exception)
The more time your audience spends squinting, the less time they spend listening.
So, remember:
No grainy photos
Fill the screen with the pic (see below for how to use Google to find hi-res pics)
Two weeks ago, I spoke at the South Carolina Power Team’s annual meeting.
I told a story of meeting Coach Steve Spurrier during a football camp in 2007 and needed to find a hi-res shot of the Ol’ Ball Coach. Here’s how I did it:
💎 BONUS: A Guide to Finding Hi-Res Pics:
Go to Google and type in a description of the pic (Example: Herm Edwards)
Click Images
Click More
Click Tools —> Size—>Large
Scan the pictures, pick one, download it and voila!
Here’s one exception to the No Grainy Pics Rule.
When using older pictures from your life, it’s okay to go grainy (it adds a nice nostalgic touch.👌🏾)
Here’s a picture of my great-great-grandfather’s headstone.
I want my audience to strain while reading the inscription so I can land the uppercut of my next point: We’re Going to Die.
5. Thou Shalt Not Leave Your Audience Hanging
Your closing must contain a CTA (call to action).
Some people will want more of your content. The QR code in this pic ☝️ takes people here:
The Mic Drop 🎤
That’s all for this week. Have a topic you’d like us to explore in a future newsletter?
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