Text and Bullet Points
Do Not reinforce the message! X
Have you ever sat through a presentation where the speaker read, word for word, the bullet pointed text that was on the screen? Terrible, wasn’t it?
Why do speakers do this?
If they want to use notes for their presentation, those details should be placed in the ‘Notes Section’ of the slides, visible only to the presenter using Keynote or PowerPoint in ‘Presenter Mode.’
Placing Text on the screen does not reinforce the presenter’s message with the audience and help them GET IT!
On the contrary, Text and Bullet Points:
- Complicate the message.
- Conflict with the speaker’s delivery.
- Confuse the audience.
The audience is reading at a different speed than the presenter is speaking. They are ahead or behind the speaker. The result is worse than just seeing text or merely listening to the speaker! (This also happens if you distribute handouts to an audience before presenting.)
The Answer:
Instead of placing lots and lots of Text on slides, use Images to help the audience GET IT!
There are three main styles of learning.
- Visual – Seeing something.
- Auditory – Hearing something.
- Kinesthetic – Doing something.
A good slideshow presentation will combine two of these learning styles:
1. Visual – high quality Images.
2. Auditory – ‘Text’ provided by the speaker’s voice.
The audience’s understanding of the presenter’s message is greatly increased.
Images should be:
- High quality.
- Universally recognized. No – “What is that?”
- High enough resolution to not be blurred.
- Large!
- One per slide, or several that express the same main point.
- Example: I use images of a blackboard, clown’s feet, and a person writing on a chart on the same slide to deliver the point:
“For the audience to GET IT!, a presenter needs to
Educate, Entertain, and Explain.
- Example: I use images of a blackboard, clown’s feet, and a person writing on a chart on the same slide to deliver the point:
Free images, when giving attribution, are available at Flckr’s Creative Commons. Use Compfight to make that search easier.
Great, high quality images can be purchased from a number of on-line sites. My favorite is iStockphoto.com. Be certain to search for a Coupon Code before buying your credits.
Also important in this discussion is timely use of the ‘B’ Button in PowerPoint and Keynote that ‘blanks’ the screen. When used, the attention of the audience immediately goes from the screen to the presenter – where it should be!
YOU are the presenter; not the slides! The slides should have the image that reinforces the message you are delivering. Once you have finished that message, and continue to elaborate or tell a supporting story, ‘blank’ the screen to have the audience focus on you!
This stuff works! Try it and make your next presentation – No Sweat!
For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: https://nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!
About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with –
No Sweat!
Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
9 Comments
Images create connections and memories in the minds of the audience. It’s also necessary to know the material better when you’re presenting this way.
Thanks for this reminder Fred. I’m giving a presentation tonight and have more work to do!
I “see” what you mean, Caren!
Our minds work by associations and those images are easier to connect with than black and white text.
Good Luck with your presentation!
Thanks for visiting and taking time to post a comment!
Thank you for your post. For those of us who have been around the block, you speak sooth!
In celebration of the points you raise, here is one presentation that adheres to your rules. I think you’ll find it enjoyable as well as humorously entertaining:
http://www.slideshare.net/brierman/brand-leaders-sex-the-untold-story
Enjoy and carry on.
You’re right on the money, Fred. If an audience is reading your slides, they are NOT connecting with you. And isn’t that what presenting is all about? I would encourage speakers to think long and hard whether they even NEED visuals… in many cases, they don’t.
Correct, Sharon.
Often the speaker can paint a ‘Word Picture’ for their audience, as in, “Picture this! It’s. . . ”
Thanks for visiting and the comment!
David:
Thanks for visiting, commenting and the link! I just watched it and it was GREAT!
I’ve LIKED, Re-tweeted, and passed on to others!
Good post Fred, the vast majority of my presentations have been without PowerPoint. A few years ago I did a series of presentations to small groups of 20-50 people. I used fun and funny TV ads in my introduction. It wasn’t always easy to get permission to use the ads but it usually had a great effect. It opened up the audience pretty well.
Because I’m not accustomed to using PowerPoint my future presentations would likely have had the mistake you’re discussing here.
Thanks for visiting and the comment, Steve.
If used correctly, a good PowerPoint/Keynote presentation will help the audience GET IT!
I think this sight is great! Keep up the good work. BTW….It always makes me laugh that these guys criticise Marrone from their couch and the guy has totally turned around this program from the ash heap.