Page 111 - Today’s Business Communication; A How-to Guide for the Modern Professional

100 TODAY’S BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

• Use serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Garamond for
body.
• Use no more than two fonts.
• Limit use of bold, underline, and italic fonts.
• Use left-justified or right-justified text. Centered text is
harder to read and looks like a party invitation.
• Avoid placing type on top of a photo, unless the photo is
screened way back (25% transparent).
5. Use images to tell your story.
• Find beautiful photographs or images to illustrate your
point, and talk to your audience about how the image makes
your point.
• Avoid clip art.
• Use clean, easy-to-read charts and graphs.
• Make sure numbers on charts and graphs are readable from
the back of the room.
6. Slides are not the presentation—YOU ARE!
• Remember that slides are a small part of your presentation.
• Polish your part of the presentation—your attire, your
grooming, your posture, your voice, your diction, your eye
contact with your audience.
• Remember that people are expecting you to convey your
message.
• Remember not to look back at your slides.
• Remember that NO ONE wants to hear you read.
7. Get their attention immediately.
• Remember that your presentation needs to gain the audi-
ence’s attention, just like a song, a movie, a book, or a TV
program has to grab the audience’s attention immediately.
• Start with something other than introducing yourself.
• Start with a story, anecdote, or quote that is appropriate
to your topic. For example: “Let me tell you a story” will
almost always make an audience sit up and take notice.
• Appeal to your audience’s emotions, if possible.
8. Ask questions, maybe.