How can I make my slideshows (power point presentations) more appealing and impacting?

Aim for complex in terms of variation in layout and content. Choose a pleasing color scheme (maybe 4 colors, mostly neutral with one bright accent color is my preference) and stay consistent with it. Overly complicated slides are a no-no, but don’t aim for simple, aim for elegant. Use animation, but nothing gimmicky, make sure it’s professional. Video examples are always useful.

simple
no sound
minimal animation
pictures, not clip art

Here’s the secret: you are the presenter, not power point. If your presentation couldn’t stand on its own, then you haven’t prepared well enough. Don’t use it as a crutch, use it as a supplement.

I agree with pretty much everything torch said. The focus needs to be on what you say.

And please don’t fill the page with what you’re saying, just some bullet points then explain. It bothers me when people write down everything they are saying on the powerpoint to make it look better.

Don’t ever use the word “impacting” as an intransitive verb.

@CyanoticWasp Thanks.

LOTS OF THIS.

@Fred931 HELL NO

First of all you have to choose appropriate PowerPoint template.
One of the biggest collection in the net is here: http://www.PoweredTemplates.com
Look at their free PowerPoint templates section: http://www.poweredtemplate.com/free-ppt-powerpoint-templates.html
And free PowerPoint Charts & Diagrams.http://www.poweredtemplate.com/powerpoint-diagrams-charts/free-downloads/0/index.html
Hope it will help you….