We've all seen presentations with too much - too many slides, each with too many words and complex graphics, trying to send too many messages. When it comes to developing and delivering a presentation, how much is enough? Although there is no one correct answer, here are a few considerations:

 






Does your presentation stand alone, without you delivering it? If it does, and the audience can learn everything they need to by reading the slides, your slides are too busy. With that much content, the audience will be tempted to read the slides (and when they are reading, they aren't listening to your delivery).
Does every page include complex, attention grabbing graphics? If so, there is a chance that this may overwhelm the audience. Varying the complexity and appearance of the slides can improve receptivity.
Every audience and every decision maker is different. It's important to understand the participants' appetite for detail, and their ability to absorb complex information - especially the decision maker. Tailor your presentation accordingly.
How many messages are you sending with each slide? Trying to convey too many key points on a slide leads to confusion, and actually detracts from your effectiveness. Each slide should drive toward a single key point, and you should be able to deliver that key point succinctly.
How long does it take you to deliver your presentation? If you use most of your time for your delivery, you may well run out of time for the most important part of the meeting - the roundtable discussion. This is where action steps and commitments are solidified. Try to keep your presentation delivery to no more than half of the total time allocated for your meeting.


Think of your presentation in conjunction with term papers you've written in the past. The presentation deck serves as an outline of the presentation, and your delivery is the paper itself. Your job is to bring a compelling story to life, and your slides should support that story, not distract from it.