PowerPoint and Presenting Stuff

Advanced Video Options in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

After inserting a video clip into PowerPoint, you can play the clip with minute control over its volume, looping, rewinding, etc. Rather than create smaller tutorials that explore these options, we are exploring them all on this page. Before we do so, it’s important to understand that these abilities only exist so that you can use them when they are required, rather than using them just because they exist!

Explore several advanced video options in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows.

Filed Under: PowerPoint 2013
Tagged as: PowerPoint 2013, Tutorials, Video

Prezi/Harris Interactive Survey: Conversation with Carmine Gallo

    Carmine Gallo is a communication coach for the world’s most admired brands. He has helped transform the storytelling culture at Intel, Coca-Cola, LinkedIn, Chevron, and many others. He is an Emmy award-winning journalist, Forbes .com columnist, and popular keynote speaker on the topic of leadership and communication.

In this conversation, Carmine discusses the findings of the Prezi/Harris Interactive Survey, for which he collaborated with Prezi.

Geetesh: In your recent survey, it was found that most presenters are not effective – and audiences are not receptive! What do you think about this scenario?

Carmine: It doesn’t surprise me. What surprised me that was that only 70 percent of those who give presentations consider presentation skills critical to their career success. The other 30 percent just don’t know it yet!

The Prezi/Harris Interactive survey found that 63% of those who present agree that “slide-based presentations” can be boring. That’s because they are. The typical slide is the least effective way of delivering information. Slides that contain heavy text, words and bullet points are the least persuasive way of changing hearts and minds. My favorite presentations — the ones which are the most successful — are highly visual and engaging. If you’re going to tell a story, for example, I want to see the people you’re telling the story about. I don’t need read words while you’re sharing the story. Visuals complement the narrative.

Geetesh: What is your advice to presenters to tackle this difficult scenario?

Carmine: Think visually. Craft the narrative before designing the presentation. You can do this in a number of ways. I like the old-fashioned whiteboard. Another opportunity is to use platforms like Prezi which allow you to create notes and sketches in the program before you design the slides. Regardless of the type of software you use to craft and deliver your presentation, think about telling visual stories. I analyzed more than 500 of the best TED talks. In some of the better ones — the most viral, the longest standing ovations, etc. — stories made up a full 65 percent of the content. Data and statistics made up about 25 percent. The story must come first. The presentation enhances, complements, the story and brings it to life.

You May Also Like: Prezi/Harris Interactive Survey: Conversation with Peter Arvai | Talk Like TED: Conversation with Carmine Gallo | Carmine Gallo on Indezine

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post or content are those of the authors or the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.

Filed Under: Interviews
Tagged as: Carmine Gallo, Interviews, Presentation Skills, Prezi, Survey

Learn PowerPoint 2013: Change Picture

Imagine you have inserted a picture in PowerPoint 2013, and then applied various picture editing options to enhance its appearance. For example, we added a border, applied some Picture Effects, etc. And then you realize that you have a better picture, or your boss asked you to change the existing picture to another one, but with all the same effects! You would probably delete the original picture and start all over again, and yes, that is a long process! Or you can change any existing picture into another with just a couple of clicks — retaining all effects.

Learn how to change (replace) one picture into another in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows.

Filed Under: PowerPoint 2013
Tagged as: Pictures, PowerPoint 2013, Tutorials

Fade Effect for Video Clips in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

When you insert a video clip in PowerPoint, you may find that the inserted video starts playing abruptly when started within the Slide Show view, causing a jarring interruption to the flow of your slides. Not only can the sudden movement within the video clip area disrupt the flow, but the instant playing of a video clip may appear as a surprise. This sort of disruption can be worse if you have trimmed your video clip. Clearly this is not a very professional or acceptable state of affairs. Fortunately, this is avoidable if you opt to add Fade In and Fade Out effects to the beginning and end of your video clip.

Learn to fade your video clips in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows.

Filed Under: PowerPoint 2013
Tagged as: PowerPoint 2013, Tutorials, Video

Practice Often, or Hire a Chart Designer

It’s always been the norm that you will enjoy the work that you are passionate about, and chart designing is no exception. There’s so much to learn about creating better charts that are effective in sharing information or data with others. And if you do not have the time to learn chart design, that’s OK too. There are many professional slide designers who can create awesome charts for you.

Consider improving your chart design skills, or hire someone who can do it a little differently!

Filed Under: PowerPoint All Versions
Tagged as: Charting, Design, PowerPoint, Tutorials