PPT presentation - How should it be?

lots of pics, flashy colors & ugh... sound?

[vibgyor79]

If you are making an important powerpoint presentation to a big client, how would you put the point across?

- In a colorful presentation with lots of text, pictures/clipart, flashy backgrounds (maximum content)?

- A simple presentation with neat bulleted text, simple background and an ocassional clipart (minimal content)?

- Does anybody use sound in their ppt files? I don't think my client would appreciate it if I blare Eminem songs in the background ;)

If somebody is making a presentation to you, what would you like to see?

[Shak]

Flash does it for me, no need for overkill,

but quality flash all day long...

Shak

[bakedjake]

Remember that PowerPoint can be your best friend or worst enemy. If your PowerPoint is too good, your audience will stop paying attention to you, and only read/watch the PPT presentation. This becomes very annoying. Also, an all-inclusive PPT presentation usually discourages the presenter from rehearsing their speech, which is very bad.

Some advice:

- Only use the PPT for examples. DO NOT write everything you will see on the PPT. Otherwise, the client will not pay attention.
- Remember that you are the focus of the presentation, not the screen. The big client should not judge you based upon how flashy of a presentation you have (unless you're being hired for PowerPoint production!).
- Know your material. If you're interesting, and you know what you want to say, people will listen.

If you want to be glitzy and glamourous about it, go ahead. Just don't put your speaking points on the screen! You want people to listen to you.

[richardb]

I would go with Shak on this one Flash offers you a far greater potential to control what the audience sees, hears...

In addition you can program in variables that you can opt to use if needed...

We've done loads, stuff that has blown people away, done correctly it can create a killer pitch.

Rich

[sleepy_kiwi]

Bakedjake is spot on - whether it is powerpoint or flash.

Also -
Either present main points on slide and elaborate
or
Flick screen to 'off' and talk - and then show example/chart/back up information

Take into account audience size (ie small group versus seminar) and keep to the purpose of the presentation... what are you trying to achieve and what does the big client need to see/know.

This takes us back to sound and poses the question - why?

So to answer - I always go with your second scenario - 'the simple presentation'.

As for showing off your design talents / skill with applications etc... this is what your portfolio / examples are for