******************************************************************* Dave Paradi's PowerPoint Tip     Issue #171 October 28, 2008 Published & Copyright by Dave Paradi of ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com Circulation over 8,200 ******************************************************************* Please forward this newsletter to executives and professionals who want to create PowerPoint presentations that sell their ideas, products or services more effectively.  If this newsletter has been sent to you by a friend, sign up to get your own copy at http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/newsletter.htm . ******************************************************************* In this issue: Transform your text slides into persuasive visuals New YouTube channel for Slide Makeover Video Podcasts PowerPoint Tip - Where to get PowerPoint help Best of the Blog - The Importance of Clear Communication in Difficult Times   Dave's Travel Schedule ******************************************************************* Transform your text slides into persuasive visuals Don't know how to start transforming your overloaded text slides into persuasive visuals?  The solution you have been waiting for is here.  My latest book, The Visual Slide Revolution, explains my five-step KWICK method that I use to create persuasive presentations for my clients.  The Globe & Mail said, "This is a very strong book in an area where most of us are very weak."  Read chapter 2 and order your copy at http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/vsr.htm . ------------------------------------------------------------------- New YouTube channel for Slide Makeover Video Podcasts The latest Slide Makeover Video Podcast was released last Tuesday and it covers how to transform a slide full of descriptive text transformed into a clear visual that people will be able to understand and act on after the presentation.  It is available through iTunes and on the web site in the normal spots, but it is also viewable in a new way. To assist those who can't view QuickTime format videos, I have now created my own YouTube channel with all of the slide makeover video podcasts and two free "how-to" videos as well.  It is at: http://www.youtube.com/ThinkOutsideTheSlide . ------------------------------------------------------------------- PowerPoint Tip: Where to get PowerPoint help When I am giving workshops, participants will often ask me how to accomplish a specific task in PowerPoint.  I'm not a technical expert in all the minute details of PowerPoint, but I can answer most of their questions.  For those who haven't been in a workshop yet, I've put together short "how-to" videos at http://www.PPtHowToVideos.com to help out.  But where do I go to figure out a question that I don't know the answer to?  Today's tip will point you to the same sources I use for technical help. First stop is the PowerPoint FAQ list at http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/index.html .  It is created and maintained by Steve Rindsberg, one of the Microsoft PowerPoint MVPs. If you are having a problem with PowerPoint or are wondering how to do something specific, chances are Steve or one of the other MVPs who contribute have already written an article on it. If it has to do with an error message or a technical issue, I head over to the Microsoft support site at http://support.microsoft.com. This allows you to narrow your search to the version of PowerPoint you have and search for any articles on the topic you are struggling with.  It also links to downloads of service packs and other updates that can help solve problems. Many of the PowerPoint MVPs (experts recognized for their contributions to increasing the knowledge of the user community) have web sites with helpful tips.  One of the most extensive is Geetesh Bajaj and his site at http://www.indezine.com.  For a list of all of the MVPs and their sites, go to http://www.mvps.org/links.html#PowerPoint . You can always search Google or your favourite search engine for the topic you are struggling with.  I have found I get better answers when I include the version as a search term and make the search as specific as possible.  When you get a whole list of possible pages to look at, which ones should you give preference to?  I usually look for pages from the site of an MVP (see link to list above) and those at educational institutions since they tend to have good online help pages for their staff and students. The final destination I want to share is the PowerPoint newsgroup. When you need to ask a question and want it answered by an expert, head over to the PowerPoint newsgroup (microsoft.public.powerpoint in a newsgroup reader or through Google groups).  Here you can post a question or search for previous answers that may have covered your question.  It is best practice to search for previous answers first as there tend to be common questions that come up on a regular basis. I wouldn't expect that anyone will know all the answers to every PowerPoint question (although some of the MVPs in the help center at the PowerPoint Live conference come pretty darn close).  By using the resources above, you will be better prepared to quickly answer a question and create persuasive visuals that move an audience to action. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Best of the Blog - The Importance of Clear Communication in Difficult Times Pretty much every day for the past few weeks, the difficult economic conditions have topped the news reports in the western world. Some people have been glued to the news stations, and I have to admit that I watched in fascination as the stock markets gyrated wildly. Most people didn't know what to think and it resulted in more fear from the uncertainty. Without a clear explanation of what was going on and what the future would bring, people have become scared. So what do you do in times like these? If you are responsible for communicating a message, make clarity your top priority. People today are distracted by events of the day and are not listening as closely, so your message needs to be well thought out to cut through the increased noise going on in our heads. If your message is not clear, it will get lost among the other competing messages. How do you make your message clear, whether it is in the form of a presentation or a document? Start with the goal in mind. Be clear about the one thing you want your audience to get from this communication. Figure out three or four steps that will move them from where they are today to where you need them to be. Then back it up with clear facts, presented in simple visuals so they get the point immediately. Check for understanding to make sure they got it. And realize that once may not be enough for people to get it. The world leaders have been holding news briefings almost every day because they need to repeat the core message to ensure it gets through to as many as possible. So schedule regular communications to reinforce your message and instill confidence to the audience. Whether you are communicating to employees, suppliers, customers or stakeholders, now is the time to focus on clarity instead of fancy words that hide the real meaning. Other recent blog posts at http://pptideas.blogspot.com : ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave's Travel Schedule I work with business presenters who want to transform their overloaded text slides into persuasive presentations that effectively sell ideas, products and services to decision-makers. My research based PowerPoint Presentation Effectiveness System helps my clients achieve greater productivity and deliver presentations that close more sales.  You can save money by booking me to speak to your organization or conference when I am close to your area for other clients.  Here's where I will be in the next few months (type of client is in brackets): October 29 - Vaughan, ON (municipal government) November 5-7 - Savannah, GA (transportation) November 21 - Toronto, ON (university staff) November 30-December 2 - CAPS Convention in Toronto, ON December 9 - London, ON (manufacturing) February 21-23, 2009 - Chicago, IL (MBA students) March 2-3, 2009 - Cincinnati, OH (healthcare) April 23, 2009 - Toronto, ON IAPA post-conference workshop open to the public, details coming early in 2009 May 8-9, 2009 - Chicago, IL (MBA students) E-mail me at Dave@ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com to discuss how my Think Outside The Slide(tm) sessions can help your organization be more productive and improve communication throughout the organization. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Policy: I will never sell or distribute your e-mail or information to anyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Need articles for your newsletter?  Check out my many articles at: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the books, videos and other learning tools at: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/resources.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to read back issues of this newsletter, click on the following link to go to the Archives: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/archives.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft, PowerPoint, Windows and other terms are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.  Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.  All books, products and seminars are independent publications and are not affiliated with, nor have they been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.