Nearly everyone who delivers a presentation or training session these days uses slides of some sort.
In fact, many people seem to think that's what a presentation is - a procession of slides for people to look at - or, worse, read! Of course, slides can be a great help (if they're used well) but many people seem to feel they're somehow obliged to use them.
Often, they don't seem to give much thought as to what the slides are for or how they are actually adding value to the session.
Here are my 10 top tips for using slides successfully.

1. There's no law that says you have to use slides - only use them if they actually add something.
   
2. Never use slides which are really your own notes or handouts for your group, those are quite different things and should be produced separately.
   
3. Use virtually no text on slides, they should be visual, i.
   e.
   images, pictures, diagrams.
   
4. Make the images BIG, let them fill the slides right to the edges.
   
5. Try to avoid clichés, obvious images and old-fashioned ClipArt.
   Look for something original which will get people's attention.
   
6. Keep it simple! Have very little information, e.
   g.
   in graphs or charts.
   People should not have to work hard to see what your slide is showing them.
   
7. Don't start planning your session by firing up PowerPoint (or any other program) - plan what you want to say, work out the content and structure, then decide whether or not you need visual aids.
   
8. Don't hide behind the slides - you should be the focus of attention.
   Don't let your talk become a voiceover with everyone looking at a series of slides while you stand in the corner.
   
9. Get to the room early to go through your slides - slides can change dramatically when run through a projector or media system!
10. Make sure people can see your slides from every part of the room - and check where you can walk to avoid getting in the way of the projector.