A really good presentation requires talent, hard work and a lot of practice. Giving a bad presentation is much easier.
If you want to make it easy for yourself and leave a very bad impression, then it is best to follow the following 15 tips from communication coach and author Carmine Gallo. Success guaranteed!
1. Wrong spelling
Be sure not to check the spelling of your slideshow and turn off the spell checker.
2. Terrible color combinations
For example, blue on a green background produces a beautifully illegible result.
3. Use different fonts
Professional PowerPoint designers use a maximum of 3 different fonts or styles in one presentation. But why stop at 3? There are thousands of fonts that you can incorporate into your slideshow.
4. Use very small print
If you want to drive people crazy, you can say something like: "I know you can't read this, but if you could, it says..."
5. Use photos that are far too small and stretch them over an entire slide
Images should be in high resolution. Most designers start with a large photo that they then reduce to fit the slide. But if you really want to make it a disaster, it's best to do it the other way around. This way you get a blurry and cheap-looking result.
6. Appear completely disinterested
Why make a PowerPoint when you can quickly write everything down on the back of a beer mat? If you are really good, you will ensure that you can no longer read your own writing during the presentation.
7. Dress to impress
Put on worn jeans, dirty shoes and a torn T-shirt.
8. Read your slides
Better yet, turn your back to the audience and read the slides word by word from the screen.
9. Don't bother with a backup plan
If you want to give a live demo of a website, do not test in advance whether the internet connection works.
10. Absolutely do not practice
Too much practice would make the presentation seem too polished. Rather, constantly search for your words and present a confused story.
11. Point out your mistakes
If you really want to show a lack of preparation, say something like "Oops, I have no idea how that slide got in there."
12. Open with an offensive, vulgar joke
Half the room will leave immediately and you'll have blown it right from the start.
13. Use wild animations
Making text appear simply is way too easy. Especially if you have the option to bounce on the text or make wild movements. Maybe there could even be a sound?
14. Use clip art
Why would you spend 2 euros on a nice photo when there are free cartoons that will make your presentation look like something out of primary school?
15. Use old software
Do not use the most recent version of PowerPoint that makes it easier for you to create a professional-looking presentation.
More about this topic and lots of other tips about organising events can be found in the book EVENTS.
Source: BusinessWeek
