Presenter Do's and Don'ts

As NPD Practitioners, giving presentations using slides is nothing new. Most of us can whip up a PowerPoint in a few minutes if needed. But have you ever thought about the kind of presentation you want to give and the type of presenter you want to be? Below, find some “do’s and don’ts” for presenters.

Do’s

• When listening a great presentation, make notes as to what the presenter is doing to keep you interested and engaged.
• When listening to a not-so-great presentation, make note of what the presenter does that turns you off.
• Make sure you use powerful images that are relevant to the content, otherwise they only distract and confuse the learner.
• Connect with your audience – use emotion in your voice, personal stories, and examples to get your point across.
• Provide takeaways during your presentation that the audience can implement.
• Limit your number of slides and make every word and image count.
• Practice, practice, practice! A well-prepared and polished presentation is effective (and noticeable).  

Don’ts

• Your slides should not be filled with words – this is boring and learners tend to tune out.
• Don’t use a monotone voice when speaking and make sure you’re not just reading your slides or directly from your notes. This doesn’t allow you to connect with your audience.
• Don’t try to be funny if you’re not. Instead of trying to “dress up” your presentation with humor, simply focus on delivering an engaging message.
• Avoid color combinations on slides that are difficult to read.
• Don’t wing it – you’ll be doing a disservice to your audience and wasting their time. They are there to learn.
• Don’t forget to prepare for questions – try to anticipate the kinds of questions that might be asked and have an answer ready.