Rule Of PowerPoint Guide

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At some point in your professional life, you are going to have to make a presentation. To help you out with this, you will be given some pointers to make this as simple as possible for you.

 

One of the 10’s for PowerPoint.

There are sites that can help you with the “rules” of PowerPoint. As with anything for business, you should practice certain “etiquette” for PowerPoint.

 

The other 10 for PowerPoint.

The “other” 10 for PowerPoint is your slide count — nothing over ten.  Because your slides take 2-3 minutes to present, you don’t want a bunch of slides.

 

30 Rule for Your Presentation.

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When you are making a presentation, you want people to remember it. When it comes to PowerPoint, BIGGER is better. Your feature font should be no less than 30 points.

 

Why This Concept Has Lasted Through the Years.

Some people feel this concept is too “old” for modern business. While some experts say the shorter, the better, you need at least 15-20 minutes to make your point.

 

PowerPoint is Visual, make it Count.

The whole point of using this method of presentation is to make an impact. Dress it up and make it look good. Think like this, if you wanted to read to people, don’t waste your time making the slides. Make it POP!!!

 

For Your Slides, Use the 2/4/8 rule.

It is simple. Don’t spend more than 2 mins on the slide, no more than 4 bullets, and no more than 8 words per bullet. You will lose your audience.

 

So, What Does This All Mean for You? I Will Tell You!!!

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You’ve been given a topic. For this article, I’m going to use a website. Not the most exciting subject in the world, OR is it? You can make anything exciting; you just need the correct PRESENTATION.

 

The great thing about PowerPoint is you do NOT need a lot of words to make this work. Use pictures. People prefer pictures. You need to follow these rules. You will find your “rules” for an excellent presentation.

 

Using the website for custom enamel pins, you can see that the very last thing to do is make your slides. You want people to pay attention, DECIDE your key points you want to get across.

 

Remember, people do not want to be read to. Figure out what process you want to highlight. Write your “story” that you want to present.

 

 For this article, let’s say you want to give a back story on a meaningful pin. Make it interesting. Let people know the 5 W’s of writing. You can see a great way to do this following this link.

 

So, You Have Your Subject, Now What?

You want to create a presentation on a custom enamel pin design. Your pin was created for a group of soldiers who served together. There’s your WHO, and WHAT. Now you need to know why. WHY is this important. WHEN did they serve, and WHERE?

 

Very simple. You have 10 slides. Your custom enamel pin has its story now. Make sure you only give the pertinent information.

 

As with any story, you need an outline. This article breaks down a great way to make your story come to life and keeping it interesting. You are selling your business by telling your story. Your clients are going to feel more confident with your skills when you can show that you know them.

 

 You are showing your clients you CAN make their product exciting. You are letting your clients know that you care about the product. Remember, you have ten slides to make your client remember you. MAKE THEM COUNT!!!

 

Remember, Time Is Money!!!

Whether it is you, your client or employee, remember this: TIME IS MONEY!! As a presenter, you need to remember that while this is important, it does not need to take all day. You can make a presentation covering everything and be done in 20 minutes.

 

 Some sites say 7 minutes these days, but according to Guy Kawasaki, the 10/20/30 method is perfect. Remember, you need time to introduce, tell, and conclude. To make your client care, you need to show them you care as well.

 

While meetings are important, so is doing the work!! Clients want to know that you can present the idea and catch their attention quickly. Treat them like a customer. Do you want to sit forever in a presentation?

 

Make Your Point and Make It Count!!!

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It is where the 30 rule comes in. For your enamel pin presentation, remember, the features should be no less than a 30-point font. The reason is simple, GRABBING ATTENTION!!! When you see a poster in-store, you can see it from far away. 

 

Same with your PowerPoint. The 5 W’s in your presentation are your features. Very simple process. You will get your points across easily by making sure you grab attention. 

 

According to Guy Kawasaki, you will also be able to guide yourself through your presentation easier as well. It will force you to make sure you choose your words carefully for your clients. You need to be able to let them know that you know what you want to present.

 

For your enamel pin presentation, break it down. The features are simple. WHO is the pin for? In this case, soldiers. So, there’s your feature. Break down your story on two slides about who the pin is for, keeping it simple.

 

WHAT is the pin for? What are they asking for? Present the meat of the pin and how the design came about.

 

WHY is this important? In about four words, let your client know why this pin is so important. Obviously, to this group of soldiers, this pin signifies a time they went through a particular experience or mission together. Was there danger? Did they lose a brother? Did they save someone? Keep your explanation short, but meaningful.

 

WHEN did this group serve? Which period of combat was they together? Was there a significance of the time they want to remember on this pin? Was it on a holiday or veterans’ day?

 

This website can help you tell YOUR whole story on this pin. Remember that when you present this to your clients. You are letting people know you can be just as effective telling their story as the designer of the pin is.

 

Doing this in a timely manner also emphasizes that you KNOW what is important to your client and customers. You also show respect for others by making sure you tell the story correctly.

 

Sometimes, The Older Way Is the Best Way.

When Guy Kawasaki broke through and made his revelations to the business world WAY back in 2005, who knew that 15 years later, this would still be a good basis for a presentation.

 

 You can check out how timeless this concept is. Sometimes, good old-fashioned practices are like that little black dress in the closet.  You still need it even though you may not use it a lot.

 

Make Your PowerPoint Pop!!!

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Remember this when you are doing a presentation. YOU are the storyteller. YOUR story is only going to have them impact YOU make it have. When you do your presentation for your enamel pin, PICTURES are not only needed but a MUST.

 

Think of your PowerPoint as a 30-second commercial. Now visualize the SPCA commercials. If you are anything like me, you are wiping tears by the end.

 

It is a PowerPoint in its simplest forms. It shows a couple of animals in a bad place. The next feature is here comes to the SPCA rescuing these animals and saving the day.  

 

As with an ad, DO this kind of visual. Make your client and customer care about this pin. Make people feel like they NEED to run out and have an enamel pin designed for their cause and their group. Make your client feel like YOU can compel strangers to feel the NEED to tell their story.

 

According to Chris Lema, pictures are necessary. Think of it as reading a magazine. What would a magazine be with NO pictures? Boring. And let’s face it, are you going to care about the athlete that overcame illness to go on to win the gold in their event?

 

No! Same with your PowerPoint. You need to show the product, the designer, the soldiers. Better yet, get a picture of the soldiers before or after their mission. You can stir more emotion with one picture that you can a whole book of words.

 

You Know 10/20/30, But What Is 2/4/8?

You have seen how to break your PowerPoint down using the 10/20/30 rule, but now you can see how to apply the 2/4/8 rule to your individual slides.

 

You’re probably thinking TOO MANY RULES. Let me assure you, this rule does matter. It helps keep you within the 20 rules of the PowerPoint.

 

The 2 means that you allow 2 minutes per slide. Let’s face it. If you cannot cover a slide in two minutes, then you are overdoing it. You should be able to inform your client about the point you are making in a short time. Remember, it is a power POINT presentation.

 

So, you know that to present the information about your enamel pin creation, you need to keep it short. Here comes the 4. We all love bullets when making points. They are great but keep it to 4 on your presentation.

 

It allows you to touch on all the points you want to make. You also need to allow time for photos that you want to use to tell your story. Remember, you are telling the story of the pin. It is crucial to remember. This breaks down the 2/4/8 rule as well.

 

On to the 8 rule. No more than eight words in a sentence on your PowerPoint. The reason is simple: You don’t need to allow your audience to get bored. It is important, as well. Who knows, maybe this website will use YOUR story for one of their ads.

 

That is why I reference commercials when breaking down the PowerPoint presentation. You are letting your clients know that you care.

 

Not dragging out sentences compels you to make your point quickly as well. When you set limits for yourself to communicate your idea, you will find you are more effective.

 

 Another good reason to stick with the 8 rule, less is more. Think of an iconic ad. Nike. Just do it. Now, how simple is that. Three words that have made billions of dollars. So, when you are selling your ideas to your client, remember that less is definitely more.

 

Make It Personal.

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As with anything worthwhile in life, make it personal. Your client needs to know that you really are invested. The client needs to know that you care about the product. The client also wants to convey the same message.

 

The client also wants to let their customers know they care. That is why photos are important. That is why it is crucial for you as a presenter to show the personal touch. Show the soldiers. Show their pin being made. Quote the designer.

 

Take your client on the journey. Take the customer there as well. Show the pictures of who drew the draft for the pin. Show the soldiers wearing the pin. Make sure everyone who sees your presentation feels emotion when you are done.

 

 Think of the cheesiest holiday commercial that made your mom cry. That is how deep you want to touch your clients and customers. On the flip side, make people excited as well.

 

It’s A Wrap.

You have learned the 10/20/30 rules. You have read the 2/4/8 rules. SO many rules, so little time. Don’t be discouraged. The whole point of your presentation is to please your client. Please your target audience.

 

Make it so powerful that the customers are going to run out and feel an urgent NEED to act on what you present. Your client will have more faith in a presenter that cares as much about their story as they do.

 

Let’s face it; PowerPoint is the “dreaded” office activity. Be it creating one or watching one. That is why you need to do what you can to make it memorable. I hated doing these presentations at my job.

 

I looked at it, though, as a commercial for my topic. It is hard to make something as simple as a pin fun, but you can make it meaningful. That is what your audience is looking for. You are too.

 

At the most basic level, look at it this way, you are occupying the time of people whose time is just as valuable as yours. What are you going to do with that time? Are you going to make them feel like you wasted the 20 or so minutes you just used in their life?

 

I mean, this is the whole point of doing anything worthwhile. Careers, love, shopping. We all look for these elements in life that make us happy and fulfilled.

 

Look at your presentation the same way. Would you be offended if someone wasted a half-hour of your day? Of course!!! So, when you are making your outline, remember to MAKE IT COUNT!!

 

Conclusion.

As with any presentation, leave a few minutes in your schedule for a discussion. You should also ask for suggestions after you are done. Be open to a conversation about what you are trying to present. Know your subject matter well.

 

 I hope you can find some joy when telling your story, no matter how you decide to do it. Let your audience be part of the journey with you. Be open to feedback and suggestions. So, SHOW them what you can do!!! Happy Pointing!!!