Make a Great PowerPoint Presentation by Answering Three Key Questions
One of the biggest problems I see with PowerPoint presentations is a lack of clarity; the deck often feels like a progression of slides that don't really build towards anything or answer any key questions. Indeed -- if pressed, I'd often have trouble identifying the objective of many presentations I am forced to sit through. Here's a strategy that hones your presentation so you can avoid this problem.
15 Minutes Including Q&A is a book by Joey Asher which teaches you how to deliver a presentation that's succinct, simple, and direct. One strategy in the book is the "Three Q Method." In a nutshell, the Three Qs leads you to build a presentation by answering the three questions your audience is most interested in learning the answers to.
That means you shouldn't start by outlining the key points you want to present. Instead, think about the subject and write down three key questions your audience would ask. If you're proposing to cut the vendor budget in FY12, questions might include: How will the work get done with fewer vendors? What is the legal exposure if we have to end certain contracts early? What will the money be used for instead?
Now put those three questions on slides and start building a presentation that answers them. Answer each question simply and succinctly in just a sentence or two, and then add as much detail as you need.
It's an interesting approach, and it makes the presentation about the audience, not about you. [via Lifehacker]
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