In this haiku deck I will be discussing the importance of keeping your presentations simple. A less is more approach.

Now does that mean that you as the presenter should give less information? Actually it is quite the opposite. It really isn't about the quantity of information, but rather the quality of your presentation.

First off your PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Presentation, or whatever software you use is NOT the most important element of your presentation. YOU ARE! The software is there to enhance your message not overwhelm it.

The initial temptation is to load all of the things you want to discuss on your slides. Stop! Remember to keep it simple! By loading your slides with lots of words you will have the tendency to read your slides to the audience. Your audience can read faster than you can speak and will become bored quickly and lose interest. Just put key elements you want your audience to remember and elaborate upon them.

Key elements. Got it. So that means bullet points right? Lots of them! No... Actually be careful with these too. With bullet points you want to follow what is called a rule of six. No more than six bullets per slide, and no more than six words per bullet. Try to think of what is essential, what is the essence of what I am trying to say. It will be easier for your audience to remember a few words than a huge list.

Have you heard the expression a picture is worth a thousand words? Well it is true in your presentation as well. People will remember a well placed graphic or photo much better than a bunch of words. The graphic will give them something to focus on while you are giving your presentation. Therefore they will retain the information better. But be careful...Too many graphics or photos on a slide will become distracting. Again remember to keep it simple.

So how am I supposed to discuss all this information if it isn't on my slides or on bullet points? By using notes. Plain and simple, have a page of notes to refer to, or if you get really nervous, to read from. The focus will shift back to you... where it belongs.

Another common problem is that too many presenters think the software is the star of the show, so they add all kinds of animations and transitions that are to "wow" the audience, but in reality it just detracts from the message. Like the dog in the Disney film...squirrel!

So by keeping the amount of text and bullet points to a minimum (rule of six), using well placed graphics or photos, using notes pages or cards, and toning down the animations and transitions your next presentation will be something your audience remembers.

Remember, less is more!