Visual Aids That Help
Slides Are Support, Not the Star
Your slides should support your message, not carry it. The star of your presentation is you. The slides are background.
When slides become the focus, audiences read instead of listening. They disengage from you and engage with text.
The Core Principle
If the audience can understand your presentation from the slides alone, you've put too much on them.
Slides are visual aids. They aid your spoken words. They don't replace them.
Slide Design Principles
One Idea Per Slide
Each slide should communicate one thing. If you find yourself explaining multiple concepts, split into multiple slides.
Minimal Text
The bullet point problem: Most slides are bulleted lists of text. Audiences read faster than you speak. They finish reading, then wait, bored, for you to catch up.
Better approaches:
- Key phrase instead of full sentence
- Image that illustrates the point
- Single number or statistic
- No text at all (you provide the words)
Large, Readable Fonts
If someone in the back row can't read it, it's too small.
Minimum: 24-point for body text, larger for titles.
Rule of thumb: If you have to squint at your own screen, it's too small.
Strong Visual Contrast
Text should be easily readable against the background. Dark text on light, or light text on dark. Not gray on gray.
Consistent Design
Use the same fonts, colors, and layouts throughout. Inconsistency looks unprofessional.
What Slides Do Well
Display Data
Charts, graphs, and numbers benefit from visual display. But keep them simple:
- Highlight the key finding
- Remove unnecessary labels and gridlines
- One main takeaway per chart
Show Images
A relevant image can be more powerful than words. Photos, diagrams, illustrations that support your point.
Structure Navigation
Simple section titles help audiences know where they are in your presentation.
Memorable Phrases
A powerful quote or statement, displayed large, can reinforce a key moment.
What Slides Do Poorly
Replace Your Speaking
When everything you're going to say is on the slide, you become redundant.
Convey Complex Ideas
Complex ideas need your explanation. A busy diagram doesn't help if the audience can't parse it while you talk.
Keep Audiences Engaged
Slides can't create engagement. That's your job through delivery and connection.
Slide Formats That Work
The Image Slide
A full-screen or dominant image with minimal or no text. You provide all the words.
The Single Statement
One phrase or sentence, displayed large. You elaborate verbally.
The Data Highlight
A chart or graph with the key insight called out. "Sales up 40%" on a chart showing that trend.
The Title-Only Slide
Just a section heading to signal transitions.
The Blank Slide
Yes, blank. When you want full attention on you and your words, remove the visual distraction.
Building Better Slides
Start Without Slides
First, develop your content and structure. Then ask: where would a visual actually help?
Many great presentations have few slides or none.
Use the Slide Sorter View
Look at your deck as thumbnails. Is there variety? Can you see the structure? Are any slides too dense?
The Squint Test
Squint at your slide from a distance. Can you tell what it's about? If it's all fuzzy text, simplify.
Edit Ruthlessly
For every element on a slide, ask: does this help the audience understand? If not, remove it.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Too Many Slides
Rapid-fire slides are disorienting. Give each slide time to breathe. One slide per minute is a reasonable starting point.
Reading Slides Aloud
If you're reading your slides, you're not connecting with your audience. Slides should prompt you, not script you.
Slide Dependency
If your tech fails, can you still present? Know your content well enough to present without slides.
Distracting Animations
Builds and transitions can be helpful. But flashy animations distract from content. Keep it simple.
Clip Art and Cheesy Stock Photos
Low-quality visuals hurt credibility. Use high-quality images or none.
Alternative Visual Aids
Whiteboard/Flipchart
Drawing in real-time creates engagement. Useful for small groups and interactive sessions.
Physical Props
An actual object can be more memorable than a picture of one.
Handouts
Detailed information can go in a handout rather than on slides. But distribute after the talk so they don't distract during.
Demo/Live Examples
Showing the actual product or software can be more powerful than screenshots. But have a backup plan for technical failures.
Technical Preparation
Check the Room
What's the screen size and position? What's the lighting? Can you connect your laptop?
Bring Backups
PDF backup in case presentation software fails. Presenter notes in case you can't see your screen. Email yourself the deck.
Test Everything
Test your connection, your slides, your video (if any), your audio. Before the audience arrives.
Know the Controls
Slideshow mode, presenter view, how to go back a slide. Know these before you're live.
AI Prompt: Slide Improvement
Help me improve my presentation slides.
Current slide content:
[Paste your slide text]
What I'm trying to communicate:
[Your point for this slide]
Help me:
1. Reduce text while preserving the message
2. Suggest a visual that could replace text
3. Rewrite as a simpler, bolder statement
4. Recommend whether to split into multiple slides
What's Next
Your slides support you well. Now let's handle the Q&A confidently.
Next chapter: Handling Q&A — answer questions with confidence and clarity.