This short article introduces three solid resources that can help you make dramatic improvements in your presentations.
Read on for a quick list of free online resources and books where you find great ideas on how to maintain your audience’s interest and set yourself apart from your competitors.
Strong Medicine for People Who Misuse PowerPoint
The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corrupts Within, by Edward Tufte
Tufte is probably the world’s foremost expert on how to present complex data visually. In this slim book he indicts the all-too-common misuses of PowerPoint.
Read the reviews on Amazon before you buy. The book states strong opinions, and some Amazon reviewers complain that it’s a long rant rather than a helpful book that tells you what to do differently.
You may not like this one. But you may also be among the people who need its message most.
How to Hold Your Audience’s Interest
Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate and Inspire, by Cliff Atkinson.
OK. So you’re not ready to abandon PowerPoint just yet. This book teaches you effective ways to make your PowerPoint presentations much more compelling.
Atkinson recommends a style that – heaven forbid — does away with bullet points entirely and relies heavily on storytelling and drama.
I’ve tried the approach and have found it works great with the right audiences.
This book has completely changed and dramatically improved the way I present.
Be sure to visit the author’s web site, which offers tons of free information you can read before you buy the book.
Less is More
Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, by Garr Reynolds.\
This is another terrific book from the “Cliff Atkinson school” of simplification. Reynolds advocates deeper preparation to achieve a cleaner, less confusing, more dramatic and memorable visual presentation.
Also visit the author’s web site and blog.
Stay fresh.
– Scott Silverback
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