Skype Presentation Training
PowerPoint Suggestions
- All type the same font – no more than two; can include italic and bold
- Headlines and subheads – consistent location, size and color
- All type off black – projected on a large screen, the contrast is too stark if full black
- Standardize the format and color scheme – see previous bullets
- Animate by presentation points – if you don’t your audience will always read ahead of you
- Avoid transitions – if used, use only one style
- Use your “arrow” keys, not your mouse. It’s quieter
- Include an opening and closing slide
- First Slide – Company Name you are presenting and date
- Last side – “Thank You”
- Customize to your audience
Presenting Guidelines
- First Rule – Be yourself
- Be prepared – practice speaking aloud – go in an empty room
- Record and listen to yourself
- Mock presentation with feedback from coworkers
- Be set up early
- Show confidence – even if you’re not
- Don’t be afraid to laugh or goof up – correct yourself and move on
- Have a glass of water available
- Have Pencil and Paper for questions available
- Be conscious of repetitive speech - aaa, you know, um, and the word “like” (if you’re from the 1990’s)
- If you smile while giving the presentation, it will show in your voice
- Know you represent your company and the product
- Pace yourself, i.e. not too fast or too slow – Stay in allocated time
- Explain you will allow interruptions or pause for questions at given time or the end
- Don’t read the bullets verbatim, unless it’s succinct
- By using click animations, the audience will read it
- Avoid long paragraphs, unless you explain why or break it down into multiple slides
- Use a script – but don’t sound like your reading
How to Handle Dead Air – The audience may be gathering and the phone is live
- Telling jokes is very risky – avoid
- Know a little about the audience – location, recent news, traffic
- Weather always works
