PowerPoint as a focusing tool

A lot of folks gripe about "death by PowerPoint" (often appropriately). However, I want to share a way I use PowerPoint as a focuing tool. As a "trivia collector" I have a tendency to go a bit heavy on data when I'm communicating. This can be a problem if I have a tight time frame within which to deliver a message (i.e. "You have 10 minutes - go."), or if I'm dealing with a senior audience with short attention spans.

I've often heard that the more senior the audience, the more value there is in small numbers and primary colors. PowerPoint is a great tool to help focus your message to a simpler level.

There is no "one way" to do this, but here is a technique that works for me:

1. Pick 3 to 4 points you want your audience to remember.
2. Create 1 slide for each major point.
3. Create 3 bullet short, crisp points for each slide (yes, get it down to 3 - not 4 or 5).
4. Practice using these slides as a sort of "teleprompter" to deliver your message and test the soundness of the message:
   • Does each point add real value to your message?
   • Is each point essential in achieving your communication objectives / desired outcome?
   • Do you have the fact to support each point, if questioned?
   • Is the order / flow correct?
   • etc.
5. When you formally deliver your message, you can either have a "6 up" handout view of the slides as a guide, or print the Outline view.

I find this helps keep the message tight and on-point. Got other tips? Share away.

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Related items

• Presentation pet peeves (6/23/2006)
• Beyond Bullet Points (11/1/2005)
• *Beyond* Beyond Bullet Points (11/16/2005)

Comments

[Jay Perry]

I'm a pastor. Our worship service is PowerPoint-driven.

This is exactly how I use PowerPoint for my sermons.

Illustration for Main Point
Text 3:16
* Bullet Point (principle from the text)
* Bullet Point (principle from the text)
* Bullet Point (principle from the text)

(I don't necessarily keep it to only 3 bullet points, depending on what the text is trying to say...)

And then for each bullet point, I state the principle, show where I found it in the text, explain it or illustrate it, and then apply it to real life. Then I go to the next bullet point.

This is a great way to make sure the sermons are biblical, sound, focused, and relevant.

[Dwayne Melancon]

Thanks, Jay - and thank you *very* much for including your sample PPT, mp3, etc. on your site. It was very cool to see how you do this.

And I also identify with the "don't spend all your time looking for clipart" trap. Thanks for sharing.

[David]

I love the blog that you have. I was wondering if you would link my blog to yours and in return I would do the same for your blog. If you want to, my site name is American Legends and the URL is:

www.americanlegends.blogspot.com

If you want to do this just go to my blog and in one of the comments just write your blog name and the URL and I will add it to my site.

Thanks,
David

[annette]

I find powerpoint useful in this regard but I always go back to mind mapping as a great way of organising my thoughts on a single page. It an also be outputted in a word document for distribution afterwards.