In business PowerPoint presentations, visual aids must be both (both visually and be a help)

I sat in a presentation where the speaker handed the public a copy of his notes (his speech written out), those same notes projected on a screen behind him, and then read word for word his notes, and sometimes from the screen, which amounted to the same thing. The overall effect was deadly.

The thing to remember about visual aids is that they are visual and need help. Too many people, when called to do a presentation or a speech, think they must project their words on a screen behind them as row after row of bullets. The result is death by bullets.

When I coach executives to be better speakers and presenters, give him this test to decide if a visual aid is necessary to the presentation. Use it to make your pictures helps the understanding and retention.

1. The visually represent something difficult to see?

You can use a thousand words to describe the statue of David by Michelangelo, or you could show your audience a photograph instead. If what you are trying to communicate is impossible or cumbersome to describe in words, then use a rather appropriate visual (photography, illustration, graphic, graphics, tables). Use a clear view when you need to draw a picture.

2. The visual help your audience understand a sequence of steps or ideas?

The next time you give directions to someone, listen as you explain the path. May you draw a map to the person, or give a sequence of instructions ("turn left at Bob Evans, drive three blocks, hang a right on Main Street, a sign of unity at the third stop ...). Your listener will hardly try to commit your verbal cues to memory, but instead of writing them as a sequence of steps to take in a certain order.

Whenever you have this kind of information to convey to your audience, visual works best, provided that each step can be described in few words, and all steps can fit on one screen and still be visible (and understandable) to everyone in the room.

3. It is a simple visual?

If you project a complex diagram on the screen while talking, the audience has to decipher a diagram or listen, but not both at the same time. This means that visual aids should be simple. Keep your charts, diagrams and graphs are easy to see and
guide to understand.

The two main advantages visual aids that are both visually and that the aid is that aid comprehension and retention aid. The public understands what you said, and remember what you said, because it literally saw things your way .......