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PowerPoint and Apple Keynote presentations can be effective visual aids in assisting with almost any oral presentation. However, in order to get the most from the slides you create using these applications, it is important to follow some general guidelines.


To begin, following are best practices that may be applied to any type of slide presentation:


  1. Be brief. Slide shows are meant to be visual aids, not detailed reports. Keep things simple by providing headline-style titles on each slide with bullet points supporting the title. Your oral presentation should provide the details.

  2. Keep your audience in mind. Your audience members will use the slides as the basis for their note-taking and most people will interpret the slide information as the most important points of your presentation. Remember that as you decide what text to include on each slide.

  3. Make each slide easy to read. Using too much text to make a point or cramming too much information on a single slide may cause audience members to miss the information you’re trying to convey. Use adequate spacing between entries and don’t be afraid to spread the information out over several slides. Several easy-to-read slides are better than one difficult-to-read slide.

  4. Use charts and graphs wisely. Charts and graphs can be useful in presenting material; however, they can also be confusing if not used properly. Don’t use charts or graphs simply to “spice up” your presentation. Instead, use them when presenting historical data, comparisons and changes over time. And be aware of the type size and numerical indicators you use – a good-looking chart or graph with data indicators that are too small to read is almost useless.

  5. Don’t overuse transitions. Transitions between slides can make your slide show a bit more interesting. If overused, however, they can also begin to distract audience members. It’s usually not necessary to “slide in” every single bullet point and don’t try to use every single transition that comes with software. If you find yourself using a transition just to fit in a visual effect, you probably don’t need it.

  6. Be consistent. Once you decide on a format for your slides, stick with it throughout the presentation. The audience will develop a feel for what’s coming next and surprising them may distract them from your presentation. However, if your intention is to get a reaction from the audience in the middle of your presentation, a change in format might be appropriate.

  7. Develop an identity using logos or symbols. If applicable, the use of your company’s logo or brand identity can help your slides have a more personal touch. Be consistent in the placement of the logo so it looks as though it’s part of the template. Keep in mind that some logos may not look nice if they are decreased in size or resolution. If that is the case, don’t use them.


In next month’s newsletter, we’ll offer suggestions you may need to consider if your slide show will be viewed on a projection screen or within a multimedia or video presentation.

June 2009 Newsletter

Project of the Month

D-day 65th Anniversary Photography

DMS photographer Sean Deren spent three weeks in England and France shooting events surrounding the 65th anniversary of the Allied Forces Invasion of Normandy; Sean’s photography will be used in various publications and news articles.


As usual, Sean combines a traditional editorial style with his unique personal point of view to come up with engaging and eye-catching shots.


Several of the images you’ll see in this month’s gallery feature restored vehicles from the era; you may recognize some of them from films such as “Flags of our Fathers” and “Band of Brothers.”


Click the image above to view the gallery.

Michael Jackson Tribute

Our favorite MJ performance

Marketing Tip

Creating effective PowerPoint and Keynote slides

(Part 1)

All imagery and content copyright © 2009 by Digital Media Services & Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.

Digital Media Services

We usually keep our newsletters focused on topics and issues that effect the creative professional. However, as almost everyone born from the 1950’s up through the 1990’s - a group encompassing our target audience - probably at some point considered themselves at least a casual fan of Michael Jackson, we decided a brief tribute was appropriate.


We’ve selected the single performance that we felt best represented the aura that is the “King of Pop.” On May 16, 1983, NBC aired the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever where Michael performed with his five brothers and then as a solo artist. This single performance reminds us of both the hit songs recorded by the Jackson 5 and the legendary performer Michael became.


Watch the full performance in either the standard Flash Video format or the larger QuickTime format. (Skip ahead to 7:30 if you just want to see “the gloved one” perform Billie Jean and the moonwalk.)

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Questions? Comments? Feedback? All are greatly appreciated! Email us by clicking here or call us at 727-512-9998. We’d love to hear from you!

June found DMS video specialist Brian Satchfield performing video restoration work for a presentation on British rock music, scouting various locations around Florida for an upcoming project and attending industry events. DMS crew member Rob Kildoo was practicing with some of his new camera lenses and assisting on photo shoots in West Palm Beach and Longboat Key. DMS-er Lance Robson produced a Podcast and took photography for the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence.