Episode#262: Stop Killing Your Professional Presentation with Terrible Amateur Slides

When you’re on stage, your visuals can make or break your message. Many leaders ask us at Dale Carnegie Tokyo: How much is too much when it comes to slides?
Here’s the truth — your slides should support you, not steal the spotlight. The goal is simple: keep the audience focused on you, not the screen.

Use visuals that enhance your story, not distract from it. Forget long paragraphs or sentences — bullet points, keywords, and strong images are your best tools. Say less on your slides so you can say more in person.

Mini-summary: The best presenters use minimal slides to keep full attention on their delivery, not their deck.

If your audience can’t understand your slide within two seconds, it’s too complicated.
Think clean, bold, and simple. Use the 6x6 rule — no more than six lines per slide, and six words per line.

Fonts matter too. Use 44-point for titles and 32-point for text. Always test your slides from the back of the room. If you can’t read it, neither can they.

Mini-summary: Simplicity and legibility win every time; if it takes more than two seconds to grasp, it’s too much.

Stick to sans serif fonts like Arial for clarity. Avoid fancy typefaces and limit all caps, bold, and italics.
These tools should emphasize your message, not overwhelm it.

Mini-summary: Professional visuals use clean fonts and controlled emphasis for maximum readability.

Animations can be helpful when used consistently — either reveal one idea at a time or show everything at once.
Never make your content “jump around.” Confusion isn’t a presentation style; it’s a distraction.

Mini-summary: Consistency in builds keeps your audience focused and your message clear.

Images are your secret weapon. A single, sharp, relevant photo can express what three slides can’t.
For data:

• Use bar graphs for comparisons.

• Use line charts for trends over time.

• Use pie charts for proportions.

Keep charts simple and readable — too many variables, and even a pie chart becomes a mess.

Mini-summary: One strong image or clean chart is worth far more than cluttered data.

Colors make or break your deck. Stick to black, blue, and green — they’re safe, visible, and professional.
Avoid red, orange, and gray, especially red, which often disappears on screen.
High contrast keeps your slides sharp and easy to follow.

Mini-summary: Professional presenters use contrast and color restraint to keep their visuals effective.

A clean, consistent slide deck signals professionalism even before you speak.
At Dale Carnegie, we say: “The polished know what works — the rest reveal their inexperience before they start.”
Let your visuals communicate your confidence.

Mini-summary: Your deck sets the tone. Keep it sharp, tight, and professional.

• Use minimal text — let your visuals support, not compete.

• Follow the two-second and six-by-six rules.

• Choose readable fonts, consistent builds, and balanced colors.

• A polished deck enhances your credibility before you speak.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has empowered professionals in leadership, sales, presentation, and executive coaching for over a century.
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, continues to support Japanese and global corporations through world-class training in presentation skills, leadership development, and executive coaching.