Presentation Best Practices

How to Build and Deliver More Effective Presentations

GOALS

• Presentations should provide insight, information, and/or guidance on a specific topic of interest.
• Assemble a list of goals and objectives for the presentation then evaluate the presentation against those targets.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Identify the interests and needs of the target audience. Focus on what is relevant and important today and tomorrow.
• Expect an audience that includes people with visual, auditory, mobility, and/or cognitive limitations.
• Use language at the audience’s expected skill and education level.

PRESENTATION TIPS

• SEE – HEAR – DO are the main methods of presenting effective information to accommodate different learning styles. Utilize an engaging visual layout. Explain clearly and concisely. Incorporate exercises or other hands-on activities for audience practice and engagement.
• Keep content timely, relevant, and related to a specific topic. If time is limited, decide if the priority is to provide depth or breadth of content.
• Utilize headings and other proper markups.  Use a minimum 12-point font (or larger space permitting).
• Avoid continuous blocks of text or constant bullet lists.
• Utilize consistent patterns in displaying information for audience familiarity.
• Display text over a solid contrasting background color; avoid displaying text on top of images or other multi-color elements.
• Use a minimum color contrast (of font color to background color) of 12:1 to account for projector limits; avoid using pure black text on pure white background; consider using light-colored text on dark/black background to minimize glare.
• Utilize “white” space effectively – balance content with empty/white space to maximum comprehension. If space is available, consider using a larger font size or add visual elements to elaborate the point without cluttering the slide.
• Display actual text instead of images of the text. Include visuals and images to enhance and clarify content but avoid purely decorative images.
• Avoid more than one blank line between sections of content.  Assistive technology would assume the end of the content if no additional content is displayed after the first blank line.
• Left align text. Avoid justified text to avoid uneven visual spacing.
• Avoid strobe or flashing effects. Use other methods to highlight or emphasize information.
• Include closed captioning and audio descriptions of non-verbal elements and actions for videos. Avoid showing long or multiple videos – the audience prefers to hear from the speaker.

TO DO or NOT DO

• Use a vendor-neutral approach and language unless demonstrating a vendor product. Avoid trying to “sell” products or services or just reading features off a product or service.
• Speak clearly and concisely for better audio captioning and for audiences who rely on lip reading.
• Keep a moderate pace as it can be difficult to simultaneously read, take notes, listen, and process.
• Include 1-2 slides with your contact information, your company info, and/or your company’s product/services at the beginning or end of the presentation. Any more would be a sales pitch.
• Pre-load the presentation, additional files, demos, web pages and examples onto the computer before the presentation. Do not rely on internet connectivity or needed level of bandwidth.
• Avoid using the whiteboard, flip charts, or other written displays as they may be difficult to see or read. If necessary, use a tablet/ touchscreen laptop and a writing stylus connected to the projector for display.
• Allow an adequate amount of time to set up your computer, sync to the projector, test the microphone and speakers, and set up any other needed equipment and materials.
• Plan presentation length to include time for audience questions or feedback; be available for additional questions and networking after the presentation.
• Engage the audience and be open to questions and feedback. You are not expected to know everything and may even learn something in an open exchange.
• Whether the preference is to accept questions during the presentations or hold questions until the end of the presentation, announce preferences at the beginning of the presentation. Avoid making “rules” during the presentation in direct response to a specific person or scenario.
• If a copy of the presentation is made available, ensure file contains text-recognizable content (readable by assistive technology) and proper markups. All images should contain descriptive alternative text or properly notated if purely decorative.
• Consider creating two versions of the presentation – one for in-person attendance and a second with more descriptive stand-alone content for distribution. For the distributed version, include descriptive transcripts of videos, elaborate on high-level points, markup complex elements, and provide context on visual elements.

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