1. Becoming the “Big Fish” in the Presentation Pool Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter mratcliff@agcenter.lsu.edu Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter mratcliff@agcenter.lsu.edu

2. Overview Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion

3. “It takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” ~ Mark Twain

4. Avoid Common Pitfalls Overdosing on Experts Talking AT your Audience Losing Control Don’t Bluff Information Overload Overdosing on Experts Talking AT your Audience Losing Control Don’t Bluff Information Overload

5. Image

6. Involve the Audience "Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand". Make the presentation interactive – if you can.

7. Groups of Three

8. Keep the Message Clear

9. Communications “Revelation” “I could have had a …”

10. Team Presentations Select a strong leader Same rules as solo presentations Organize content development One person to handle visuals Provide transitions Rehearse, Rehearse, REHEARSE! Select a strong leader Same rules as solo presentations Organize content development One person to handle visuals Provide transitions Rehearse, Rehearse, REHEARSE!

11. Give ‘Em a Break Strategic breaks Set Return time Vary lengths of breaks Ask for input Strategic breaks Set Return time Vary lengths of breaks Ask for input

12. Annoying Movements Playing with jewelry Licking and/or biting your lips Constantly adjusting your glasses Popping the top of a pen Playing with hair Jingling change in your pocket Playing with jewelry Licking and/or biting your lips Constantly adjusting your glasses Popping the top of a pen Playing with hair Jingling change in your pocket

13. The “666” Rule (The devil made me do it…)

14. The “666” Rule Or “The devil made me do it…” Less than 6 words per bullet 6 bullets per slide 6 word slides in a row Or “The devil made me do it…” Less than 6 words per bullet 6 bullets per slide 6 word slides in a row

15. Font Usage Sans-Serif over Serif No smaller than 24 pt. Larger for title (35-45 pts.) Use color & styles for impact Avoid italics Strive for contrast Sans-Serif over Serif No smaller than 24 pt. Larger for title (35-45 pts.) Use color & styles for impact Avoid italics Strive for contrast

16. Mix It Up Visuals Ditch the Podium Use Eye Contact Focus on Audience Be Yourself Skip the Speech Visuals Ditch the Podium Use Eye Contact Focus on Audience Be Yourself Skip the Speech

17. Murphy’s Law

18. Top Ten Countdown 10.Sticky Floor Syndrome 9.Lack of Facial Expression 8.No Audience Involvement 7.Weak Eye Contact 6.Lack of Enthusiasm 10.Sticky Floor Syndrome 9.Lack of Facial Expression 8.No Audience Involvement 7.Weak Eye Contact 6.Lack of Enthusiasm

19. Top Ten Countdown 5.No Preparation 4.Mediocre First Impression 3.Ineffective Close 2.Poor Visual Aids 1.No Presentation Objectives 5.No Preparation 4.Mediocre First Impression 3.Ineffective Close 2.Poor Visual Aids 1.No Presentation Objectives

20. It’s Not an “Easter Egg Hunt”

21. The “Easter Egg Hunt” Choosing graphics Use relevant images Screen resolution Scaling images Be consistent Choosing graphics Use relevant images Screen resolution Scaling images Be consistent

22. “Fresh Fish” Story

27. “Fresh Fish” Rule

28. Tips for Using Visuals

29. Charts and graphs –Show trends, relationships, process flows –Compare quantities Charts and graphs –Show trends, relationships, process flows –Compare quantities GoodBetter

30. Tips for Using Visuals Photographs or clipart –Convey a message –Add humor Photographs or clipart –Convey a message –Add humor MessageHumor

31. Tips for Using Visuals Use color –Attract attention, highlight for emphasis –Compare or contrast, create mood Use color –Attract attention, highlight for emphasis –Compare or contrast, create mood Attention / Emphasis Contrast / Mood

32. Tips for Using Visuals Hold audience attention –Span bullets across multiple slides Hold audience attention –Span bullets across multiple slides BoringBetter

33. Tips for Using Visuals Add credibility –Showcase the “real thing” –Create impact Add credibility –Showcase the “real thing” –Create impact OKBetter

34. Don’t Get Eaten Alive

35. Message Retention Verbal only – 10% Visual & Verbal – 50% 400% increase in retention ~ Wharton Research Center Verbal only – 10% Visual & Verbal – 50% 400% increase in retention ~ Wharton Research Center

36. Remember… Spelling & grammar Don’t read the presentation Start with brief overview Use “build” slides Opt for wireless Keep font size consistent Spelling & grammar Don’t read the presentation Start with brief overview Use “build” slides Opt for wireless Keep font size consistent

37. Remember… Don’t speak over sound effects Provide handouts for note taking Always face your audience Be glad you are there Know your “stuff” Don’t speak over sound effects Provide handouts for note taking Always face your audience Be glad you are there Know your “stuff”

38. Q & A Tips Walk toward audience Raise your hand Expect a response Avoid obvious “yes” & “no” questions Wait for a reply Walk toward audience Raise your hand Expect a response Avoid obvious “yes” & “no” questions Wait for a reply

39. Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion Things to Consider Design Guidelines Rules to Live By Tips for Clipart & Visuals Staying in Control Managing the Conclusion

41. References Fresh Fish Rule - Adapted from “Poor fish” in Ausubel, 1948. http://www.presentersuniversity.com http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/cia/workshop/graphisa#present http://www.cheney268.com/Training/PowerPoint/PowerPointTip s.htm http:// www.presentationhelper.co.uk/presentationtips.htm http:// cord.org/tutorial/presentation_tips.htm http://www.presentersuniversity.com/visuals_visuals_7_Deadly_ Sins.php Fresh Fish Rule - Adapted from “Poor fish” in Ausubel, 1948. http://www.presentersuniversity.com http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/cia/workshop/graphisa#present http://www.cheney268.com/Training/PowerPoint/PowerPointTip s.htm http:// www.presentationhelper.co.uk/presentationtips.htm http:// cord.org/tutorial/presentation_tips.htm http://www.presentersuniversity.com/visuals_visuals_7_Deadly_ Sins.php

42. Becoming the “Big Fish” in the Presentation Pool Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter Marti Ratcliff Information Technology LSU AgCenter