Your presentation is tomorrow and you’re not sure it’s ready. How can you make it more visually appealing?

Simply use a template from Canva, stop over thinking. Doing is more than thinking. We tend to overthink a lot. If we stop that and start executing, things will start falling in place.

Less is more. Don't overload your slides with text. Use bullet points and keywords instead of paragraphs. Declutter ruthlessly. Remove unnecessary graphics, clip art, or excessive animations. Focus on one key message per slide. This makes your point clear and avoids overwhelming the audience.

Less is more. Don't overload your slides with text. Use bullet points and keywords instead of paragraphs. Declutter ruthlessly. Remove unnecessary graphics, clip art, or excessive animations. Focus on one key message per slide. This makes your point clear and avoids overwhelming the audience.

- Don’t repeat a title on consecutive slides. - lists/bullets of max 6 items - limit adjectives - less text = less reading for the listener = quicker attention for you (as reading and listening at the same time is impossible. - if you story is clearly structured, that structure needn’t be repeated during the presentation.

- if you have a list to walk through, use color to indicate which bullet of the list you are presenting about. So duplicate the list slide and highlight or accentuate just one of the items of the list. - the colors should attract attention, but the main attraction should be u. - adjust colors to your attire

Stick to professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Calibri. Avoid overly decorative fonts. Use different font sizes to create a hierarchy. Headings should be larger than body text. Limit the number of fonts used. Two fonts are typically enough for a presentation.

Use the same font size on all slides for all titles, a different size for headings, a smaller for content. Limit italics as it limits readability. Limit abbreviations.

Less is often more. Excessive animations and transitions can be distracting. Use them sparingly for emphasis. Focus on smooth transitions. Avoid jarring effects that take away from your content. Consider a subtle fade or slide transition for a clean look.

Run a quick practice session to check for technical glitches. Ensure everything displays correctly. Focus on refining your content and delivery for a polished presentation. Even visually basic slides can be impactful with a strong message and engaging delivery.

Here's a pro tip: Microsoft 365's PowerPoint Designer is your secret weapon. With just a click, it offers creative, professional layout ideas that can transform your slides from mundane to magnificent. Not only does it suggest high-quality imagery and graphics, but it also aligns with your content's theme for a cohesive look. And don't forget the Presenter Coach—it's like having a personal speech trainer. It provides real-time feedback to polish your delivery. So, take a deep breath and let PowerPoint's tools elevate your presentation. Your audience awaits an unforgettable visual journey.

- keep a copy of your presentation on usb, and in the cloud, as email attachment and a printout for yourself. - printout for crowd if it’s small. - print slides incl your comments - bring your own pointer. - bring batteries or a cabled mouse. - don’t look behind your shoulder to your own slides.