Tips for Making an IMPACTFUL PowerPoint Presentation

 

QUALITY POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

1. Avoid using patterned backgrounds because they can reduce readability.

2. Use contrasting colors for text and background. Light text on a dark background is best.

3. Use great-quality images that reinforce and complement your message. Ensure that your image maintains its impact and resolution when projected on a larger screen.

4. Make sure the slides are readable from the back row seats. Text and graphic images should be large enough to read but not so large as to appear “loud.”

5. Have a Plan B in the event of technical difficulties.

6. Practice with someone who has never seen your presentation. Ask them for honest feedback about colors, content, and any effects or graphic images you’ve included.

7. Do not read from your slides. The content of your slides is for the audience, not for you, the presenter.

8. Know your audience. 

9. Select a single sans-serif font such as Arial or Helvetica. In addition, avoid serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Palatino because these fonts are sometimes more challenging to read.

10. It is more effective to have bulleted points appear one at a time so the audience listens to the presenter rather than reading the screen

11. Speak comfortably and clearly.

12. BE YOURSELF.

13. SHOW YOUR PASSION for the work your organizations offers to people in need. People can easily sense genuine, heartfelt presentations. 

PRESENTATION LIMITATIONS

1. Limit punctuation and avoid putting words in all-capital letters. Empty space on the slide will enhance readability.

2. Limit the number of slides. Presenters who constantly “flip” to the next slide will likely lose their audience. A good rule of thumb is one slide per minute.

3. Simplify and limit the number of words on each slide. Use key phrases and include only essential information.

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5 Ways to Practice Your PowerPoint Presentation

1. Rehearse in front of a crowd.

Standing in front of a group of people, giving your speech, and seeing their reactions is a great ways to boost your confidence in your material and delivery.  

Whether it’s a small group of friends, co-workers, family, or even a random group of strangers, giving your presentation allows you to see reactions and get natural human feedback.  This will calm your nerves and make you more comfortable with the entire experience.  

You’ll often find that your worst mistakes will surface on this first go-around, leaving you with plenty of time and feedback to correct and re-organize your thoughts.

2. Record yourself.

You can judge your voice's inflection, speed, and enunciation by hearing and seeing yourself.  You always want to put yourself in your audience’s position, seeing and hearing yourself as they would see you.  

It is not so much about perfecting your orating skills are essential. However, the most IMPACT and ENGAGEMENT comes from showing your passion and personality through your words.  To come across as original and confident, you want to show your true character and that you’re comfortable in your speech.

It comes down to carefully observing yourself and constructively criticizing the elements of your speech.  You have to take the time to honestly grade yourself before you can expect to deliver a solid presentation.  

For example, TED TALKS speakers train themselves and prepare extensively in advance for their talks.  

Comfortably, be yourself. Again, blend your passion and personality with your message and find the happy medium between your goals and the outcome.

Honestly, answer these questions to yourself: What do you think?  Was this helpful?  Do you have any additional tips or guidelines about preparing for a presentation? 

3. Experiment.

Refrain from repeating the same lines repeatedly if you think it sounds boring or awkward.  

Let loose and find ways to make your presentation exciting for your audience.  

Experiment with variations of words, including a funny story, and make a joke.  

Relax!  Remember, your presentation's two most essential things are being transparent and passionate. You can have a lot of fun if you free yourself from the boring presentation structure and have a little fun out there.

4. Time yourself.

Timing is crucial in presentations. 

Effortless presentations take practice. The general rule of thumb is to keep it short, simple, and to the point.  Since your goal is to decrease time while maintaining quality, practice trimming your message to include the most important and relevant information without the fluff.  

Set a goal of the time you think is appropriate for your audience, then refine or beef up your talk accordingly.  The more comfortable you are with your time, the more flexible you can be as you give your presentation.

5. Take notes.

As you practice, it is helpful to stop whenever you notice a mistake or an uncomfortable moment and jot down a few notes.  

In any practice situation, do not hesitate to analyze and re-analyze your presentation as you go.  

Write down things like cutting down on time on certain parts, making sure you enunciate tricky words, or refining the structure of your talk.  

You would be surprised by how many issues you can find when you take the time to look at yourself closely.

Good luck, and feel free to contact us for more help!

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6 Quick Tactics That Will Super Charge Your Annual Campaign

6 Quick Tactics That Will Super Charge Your Annual Campaign 

As you and your colleagues rush to wrap up projects and begin new ones, nonprofit teams who participate have only one concentration: increasing campaign financial results.

Fundraising campaigns are a necessity to non-governmental charities who provide food, shelter, mental health, immigration services and so much more to our community members in need.

While it’s important to keep your head in the game while fundraising, it’s perilous when it comes to your strategic fundraising efforts. Annual campaigns typically take place during a few powerful fundraising months, but a good portion of all donations comes in during the last three days of the year.

So, while you’ve been promoting your campaign continuously up to this point, within the next 12 months it’s time to super charge your campaign results. Here are six steps you can take to power through your campaign.

1.     Say Thanks (With a Soft Ask)

You’ve been sending out innovative and targeted emails and making follow up phone calls, but at this point, you worry you might fatigue your donors and prospects. Then again, you still must lock in those cruicial gifts.

Try a soft-ask. To give your donors some breathing room between your hard asks, send an email at the start of the week that includes a delicate or “soft” ask. The emphasis of your email should be on thanking your donors or sharing impact stories, but then you can hyperlink to your donate page or include a donate button in the footer.

2.     Whip Up a Quick eCard

An eCard (electronic card) allows a donor to share the goodwill they experience when donating. Rather than receiving a note that a donation was made in their honor, the dedicatee gets a personalized, stylized eCard for a much more meaningful and delightful experience.

3. Emphasize Any Matching Campaigns

If there’s one thing donors like more than making an impact, it’s the ability to double it. Now’s the time to promote your donation matching campaigns at full throttle. Announce them in your email campaigns and on social media.

4. Maximize Last-Minute Email Appeals

Your targeted email appeals are some of the most critical messages in your entire campaign. You want to amplify the sense of urgency as the crusade draws to a close.

To creatively ramp up the sense of urgency, you can even include a graphic or GIF that counts down the remaining time to contribute.

5. Reach Out to Your Campaigners

If you’re leveraging peer-to-peer fundraising this season, reach out one last time to your fundraisers. Send an email thanking and celebrating supporters for their efforts up to this point, and then inform them that this is the final stretch; the heightened sense of urgency will motivate people to boost their efforts. If you have the resources, take the time to call your power fundraisers to share your goal progress. This individualized outreach can refresh their enthusiasm to help close out a solid year.

Invite your heavy-hitters to help give your campaign one final push. To make it easier for them, send them tailored communications. Include any emotional invoking stories, photos, or videos that will help motivate prospect donors to give.

Also, remind fundraisers that if they haven’t done so already, they can kick off some campaign momentum by making their pledge first.

6.  Wrapping up the Year-End Campaign

These final month, days, and hours are potentially the most important of the entire campaign.

Make sure you plan your final strategy. What emails are you sending out, and when? Are you focusing on engagement on social media? Are you making any phone calls, and if so, when? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself as you lock down your game plan for the next week. It’s time to cross the finish line strong.

It’s important to always push your fundraising campaigns to a strong finish, but it’s crucial when dealing with a year-end campaign. This is a time of year when people are most apt to donate, and a large percentage of your annual donations will come in during the final hours and via paper pledges.

As always, if you are looking for service, have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.

Written by DeAnn M. Cox
Original Date Posted:  January 14, 2019
Cox Consultant and Management Firm - All Rights Reserved.