Plan every slide before you open PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva. Fill in each slide below, then print or save as a PDF to use as your blueprint.
Don't try to cover too much ground. Your audience is there to listen, not read.
Aim for no more than 5 bullets per slide, with no more than 5 words per bullet. Slides support your talk — they don't replace it.
Anything under 24pt is hard to read on a screen. When in doubt, go bigger.
A strong image can boost retention significantly. Cite all images properly.
Don't open or close with someone else's words. Verify accuracy and give context.
Simplify. Use recent data. A clear chart beats a table full of numbers.
For each slide, plan what appears on screen — not what you'll say. Use short phrases, not sentences.