Presentation guru Steve Jobs would never unveil iCloud reading the text right off his slides. Would he? Fast forward to (3:17-3:55) and (6:10-6:47) and see for yourself.
Isn’t that what SourPointers say is a cardinal sin: reading your slide text? If there’s text on the slide, say SourPointers, just send us the slides and cancel Steve’s presentation.
This so-called cardinal sin is completely wrong (see The “Mayer Myth” Busted). In fact, short slide text reinforces your key points and you should read it verbatim so people know which point you’re covering. It would be worse if Steve’s words did not match the slide text, like this presenter:
About the author: Bruce Gabrielle is author of Speaking PowerPoint: the New Language of Business, showing a 12-step method for creating clearer and more persuasive PowerPoint slides for boardroom presentations. Subscribe to this blog or join my LinkedIn group to get new posts sent to your inbox.