No.

Advantages and disadvantages of PowerPoint are —

Advantages:

• Keeps you, the speaker, focused.
• Allows your audience to hear you and see what you are talking about.
• When PowerPoint is used well (which rarely happens) your speech will be enhanced.

Disadvantages:

• Turning down the lights = nap time
• Too much info on each visual = confusion and distraction
• Forces the presentation to be linear – no room for speech flexibility

IF you use PowerPoint follow these guidelines:

• Keep the visuals visual – minimal to no words
• One idea per visual
• Keep the lights “up” in the room

You don’t go to sleep at night saying to yourself, “Man, I wish I’d watched more PowerPoint presentations today!” BUT I bet you might say, “I wish I had been more inspired today.” Inspiration comes from stories (with a possible picture to support your thoughts) with a message, not a bunch of slides with bullet points. Bullets kill.

Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with organizations and executives on how to communicate to make more money. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Read more at www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog/