Secret #5 - Build Your Slides Like a Billboard

For years we were told to pack as much info onto your slides as you can. It got to the point that you could just send your slide deck and not show up for the presentation.

Research shows that a slide with too much info simply confuse your audience.

At the time it was believed that text communicated with the visual learner, the speaker communicated with the audio learner and the kinetics learners were just left out. We have found that when the audience is reading the text on your slides, their inner voice is saying the words in their mind which competes with you the speaker as you talking.

A better way to design your slides is to take a page our of Billboard Market.

The next time your are driving down the freeway, pay attention to the the billboards. What catches your eye? Billboards are designed with 4 parts. The brilliant color image; An easy to read an understand main message; One or two short sub-messages; and The use of large fonts.

The Brilliant color image

Select a compelling image or photo that quickly conveys your message. Be sure it has brilliant colors that catch your audience's attention.

Create an easy to read and understand main message

The main message should be six words or less. You want your audience to grasp the main idea quickly. You don't want them to scratch their head and wonder what point you are trying to make. You don't want it to be too long either. If the message is too complex, you should break it into multiple slides.

Have one or two short sub-messages

Don't make your slide too cluttered. You only want to have one or two sub-messages which enhance your main message. They too should be no more than six word. Only include information vital to your message. Your slides are only to support you the speaker, not communication your message for you.

Use large fonts

Select a font with thick strokes and a simple style. The font should be easy to read from the back of the room. Make sure the characters are not too close together, you don't want them to blur together.  Don't use ALL CAPS, they are less legible.

When you follow these simple guidelines, your audience will come away from your presentation with a better understanding of your message and you will gain more buy-in your ideas.

Bonus - The "B" Key

When using PowerPoint, you don’t want your slides on at all times. You only want to have your slide displayed when you are introducing a new idea. Once you have introduced the idea, press the “B” key. This will make the screen go blank allowing the audience to focus on you and not your slides. Before you start your presentation, have you title slide up, but before you are introduced, press the “B” key. This will insure that the audience is paying attention to you and your opening rather than reading your slide.

The Next Step

For one on one coaching on how to incorporate these secrets into your presentations, contact MyChelle Andrews at www.MychelleAndrews.com.​