Tech talks and powerpoints go hand in hand – not only because it makes sense, but because these visuals can really help your audience break content down and digest what you’re saying, all while keeping yourself on track too.
So what can you do?
Keep it simple and visual.
That’s it.
By simplifying your content down to the core and the bones, your message stays clear, easy to understand, and most importantly – focused.
But how?
Have you heard of The Lessig Method or the Takahashi Method? These are both similar presentation styles that focus purely on the simplicity and the visuals in your slides. Instead of having text heavy content, most slides either have 1) one word 2) a few words or 3) just a picture that goes along with your talk to emphasize what you’re saying. Have you heard of The Lessig Method or the Takahashi Method? These are both similar presentation styles that focus purely on the simplicity and the visuals in your slides. Instead of having text heavy content, most slides either have 1) one word 2) a few words or 3) just a picture that goes along with your talk to emphasize what you’re saying.
The difference between the two is that the Takahashi Method focuses on huge (often size 70-90 pt) text with contrast colors that fill the entire screen.
Like this:
Or this:
The Lessig Method has large fonts as well mostly centered on the screen and black and white – but still not as large as the Takahashi style.
Like this:
Watch this simple tech vid explained to an audience get an idea of how powerful these presentation styles can be.
According to other tech talkers, font and colors for your slide designs actually do matter. At least to keep people’s attention “wow-ed” and to prime them well enough to understand what you’re trying to say. There’s no need to go overboard though.
Basically it’s time to kill that presentation style we’ve learned in school – boring, dead, bullet points and long lengthy texts.
Transforming this:
Into this:
Aside from giving the content on your slides a major diet and trying on new bigger fonts, be sure to give yourself enough time to practice your talk (as much as needed) until your points sync up with your slides. Don’t forget that your presentation must support your talk instead of distracting people from it.
With STRV’s Speakers Program in place, our guys are constantly choosing new topics to share, and we’re ready to absorb these hacks, digest them, and share it right back with you each month.
We want you to take advantage of what’s going on in our house so that you can grow the same way we are. What’s your next talk going to be?
