This week was very informative on pitch/presentation skills which is very useful for my upcoming project which I have to complete a ‘Dragons Den’ type pitch.
Something what seems quite small but could solve a massive issue on the day of the slideshow is to use software slides rather than online slides. For example being on Windows it was recommended for me to use PowerPoint rather than google slides as google slides requires internet to function which you never know on the day how it will act. Especially for my laptop which wont connect to the University wifi this is very important so I am not wasting time trying to load my work.
PowerPoint also allows the user to view notes on what is on screen which can save the user from reading notes from their hand, which would look more professional as having notes when your nervous your eyes are drawn to them.
Following the principles of design the slideshow follows the same rules using consistency of typefaces and layouts. This includes using fonts which are easy to read and to keep text short and centred (read like a TV) which I can move headings and text about too.
Something I wouldn't of thought of but was mentioned in the slides was to include a quote in the slides, which can get the listeners to engage by thinking rather than just listen to the pitcher talking of their idea the whole time. This is something what happens in my University lectures so I know first hand how this can make the listeners feel.
To introduce the pitch it was mentioned that there is two options, either start by listing what your pitch would cover such as ‘Today my pitch will cover 1…, 2…, 3… etc.” This was not recommended as it was mentioned how this makes the audience more time aware as they know where exactly you are in your pitch.
Option two was to get right into the pitch without a ‘contents’ type introduction. This is more dynamic which allows the pitcher to build their idea throughout the pitch which you can leave the listeners on a stronger note.
Being prepared was also mentioned to be very important, for example having the cables to link your laptop to the projector, the University defiantly has a HDMI cable to like to the projector as I have done this before but who's to say that the cable will be there on the day of the pitch? This would also include having a backup of my presentation on a PDF, for example if there is a issue with my laptop on the day and bring it up on someone else's laptop the fonts may not load. Having a PDF is the best option to ensure that it will look how I want, the only difference is it wont have transitions if I use any.