Article provided by NBA Benefit Partner - Impatica
Learn more at:
http://www.impatica.com/offers/NBA
by: Kevin Potts: Graphic designer
http://www.kevinpotts.com/
© 2006
Are you fully utilizing PowerPoint as an ideal
selling tool? Think about it. You have a confined audience, listening
to you for an extended period of time. Everyone should be focusing
on you and your message. Make the best of their fixed attention
by reinforcing your brand in every slide.
USING YOUR BRAND
"Brand" encompasses and summarizes everything about
a company that makes it unique, better and memorable. Elements
of the brand can be broken down into various building blocks,
one of them being visual identity. This includes things such as
a logo, letterhead, tradeshow booth, brochure, website and yes,
PowerPoint.
LOGO AND SLOGAN
Every single slide should include the company logo. It should
be unobstructed at all times and large enough to read easily.
Also, if the company has a slogan, build it into the design. This
doesn't have to be blatant, but a subtle repeated phrase can have
enormous effect.
COLORS
Incorporate the company colors whenever possible. If it's McDonald's,
use red and yellow. For BP, use green. The effect can be subtle,
but it makes for a more consistent and professional-looking piece;
small embellishments and attention to details builds brand awareness.
GRAPHICS
Often a company has a particular theme for photography and illustration.
While it would be near impossible to perfectly mimic a company's
entire art direction, it is best to complement the established
style as much as possible. This is another case where the small
details build brand reinforcement. Never use the cringingly bad
clip art included with Microsoft's Office suite; at best the stuff
is tacky, at worst it cheapens the slide show and corporate brand.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Miscellaneous information is the extras that might benefit the
audience. For instance, a booth number is a wise inclusion if
at a trade show. A URL is almost commonplace these days. For sales-heavy
presentations the presenter's contact information is often a good
addition. Whatever's included, keep the slide design uncluttered.
BENEFITS
Done correctly, a PowerPoint presentation is a branding experience.
Without ever directly discussing logo or font choices, the entire
audience is educated about the company's visual identity, and
that positive reinforcement breeds market awareness.
LINKS
More information about NBA provider Impatica for PowerPoint
http://www.impatica.com/offers/NBA
Impatica Inc website
http://www.impatica.com
Free PowerPoint tips
http://www.brainybetty.com
