Power Point Marketing Presentation

There are plenty of arguments regarding the effectiveness of PowerPoint marketing presentations. There are those who say that PowerPoint is actually a distraction, and all these slides, chart, animations and film show actually distract the audience and confuses them. The pro faction state that without the ability to utilize PowerPoint's obvious capabilities the average sales presentation would be dull and boring, punctuated only by the presenter's occasional gasping for breath as his parched throat dries up on him completely.

However the consensus of opinion sits somewhere in the middle. It states that, if used properly PowerPoint can be a very effective tool in making a presentation.

What is important however is that presenters should never allow themselves to forget that PowerPoint is a tool. It is not be leaned on to much. If you lean on PowerPoint, it won't break. But you will. In other words, when you are about to make a presentation, know your subject as well as your audience. They will quickly realize that you are "winging" it and no amount of impressive graphs and effects will ease you out the hole that you have just dug for yourself. And possibly for your future with the company.

So once that very important fact has been established, ask yourself what kind of message you want to convey whilst working in tandem with PowerPoint.

You should always follow the simple rule of thumb that your audience has a limited chain of thought. Try to present the facts as clearly and simply as possible. As well as your presentation distribute brochures on the company Never assume that they have brought their own writing material. Hand out a few pads and pens so they can take notes if they wish. If possible either print out the minutes of the meeting/presentation that they are attending, or better still, burn it into a CD for them to go over later.

If you have done your homework, you will be able to control your audience, and be less dependant on the PowerPoint presentation. Never fall into the trap of putting to much written text in the slides and try not to read from them. They points you want to make should be the only things your audience has to read. Not large blocks of text. This will only confuse them and annoy them. Last but not least, show your human side. Keep your eye on the audience. Try to make sure that you have their attention. However if you see someone asleep in a corner, ignore it. It is very bad business etiquette to wake him or her.

If you get the overall impression that somewhere you have lost your audience's attention, then diverge a little from your PowerPoint schedule. Learn that the audience will rate you as a speaker more than the PowerPoint presentation that is basically inanimate, no matter how many bells and whistles it contains.

If for reason the presentation fails, or your computer jams or the air-conditioning packs up, and then acknowledge it. Don't panic and try to work your way around the situation. If you feel that you cannot continue, then explain to the audience what has happened. If the interruption occurs at the very beginning of the session, see if you can re-locate. If it is nearer the end and you think the audience has taken in enough, then there is no point in prolonging the agony, and its time to wind down.

Wind down the presentation with a question and answer session. This is undoubtedly the best way to gauge your audience's reaction to the presentation. Where has it led to and what is the next stage in the negotiation. Don't even be afraid to ask your audience what they though of the presentation. It not only shows some humility, it's the only way to learn and improve.