How can you enhance your presentation with slide notes and handouts?

1 Why use slide notes?

Slide notes are the text that you can add to your slides to help you remember what to say, clarify complex concepts, or provide additional information. They are not visible to your audience, but only to you as the presenter. Slide notes can help you prepare, practice, and deliver your presentation with confidence and clarity. They can also help you avoid reading from your slides, which can bore or distract your audience.

3 Why use handouts?

Handouts are the printed or digital copies of your slides or other materials that you can give to your audience before, during, or after your presentation. These handouts can be used for a variety of reasons; they can provide a summary or overview of your presentation for reference, offer more details, examples, or resources that complement your presentation, encourage interaction, feedback, or action from your audience, and even enhance your credibility and professionalism as a speaker.

4 How to create handouts?

Handouts can be created using presentation software, Word, PDF, or online platforms. You should customize the handouts to suit your audience, topic, and goals. When creating effective handouts, consider the format and layout that best suits your content and purpose. For example, you can use full-page slides, handout slides with notes, outlines, worksheets, or infographics. Include only the essential information and visuals that support your presentation. Avoid cluttering your handouts with too much text, graphics, or colors. Additionally, add your name, contact details, and presentation title to your handouts for branding and identification. Lastly, proofread and test your handouts before printing or distributing them to ensure they are clear, accurate, and consistent with your presentation.

5 How to use slide notes and handouts together?

Slide notes and handouts can both be beneficial for your presentation, but in different ways. Slide notes can help you deliver your presentation smoothly and confidently, while handouts can help your audience follow, understand, and remember your presentation. To effectively use slide notes and handouts together, you should align them with your presentation objectives and structure. Make sure they are coherent and relevant to your message and audience. Additionally, it is important to balance your slide notes and handouts with verbal and nonverbal communication. Use slide notes as a guide, not a script, and use handouts as a supplement, not a substitute, for your presentation. Lastly, decide when and how to distribute your handouts. You can give them before your presentation to provide an overview, during your presentation to facilitate interaction, or after your presentation to reinforce key points. You can also use a combination of these options depending on purpose and audience.

6 How to improve your slide notes and handouts skills?

Slide notes and handouts are skills that you can improve with practice and feedback. To help you master them, it's important to review and revise them regularly, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and relevance. You should also practice your presentation with your slide notes and handouts, using them as a support rather than a crutch. Ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or coaches to find out what works and what doesn't. Additionally, you can learn from other speakers and experts by watching and analyzing their presentations, slide notes, and handouts to see what you can apply to your own.