Of course it's not about the blank screen itself, but what you're doing at the time.

First, you need to know how utterly simple it is to go to blank screen. EITHER... on the clicker, press the blank screen button (most presenters don't know it's there).  OR... on the keyboard, press the 'B' button.  Either way, just press the same button again to return your slide to the screen. The button-pushing is not a problem.

Now, picture this:

  1. As your presentation starts, you're standing directly in front of your audience, with nothing on the screen.  You're directly connected to the people in front of you. When it's time for the first slide, you move to the side to talk about it.
  2. From now on, when a slide is no longer directly and immediately relevant to what you're saying, you blank the screen again, moving back in front of the audience to re-establish your full connection with them.

Audiences want that. They want you in charge and they want you directly tuned into them.

So why aren't all presenters doing it already?

Because it takes courage - especially when you've been used to using PowerPoint as a crutch. When we face our audience directly, we feel vulnerable. That's why so many presenters step to one side, turning themselves into voice-only robots, us into comatose zombies, and the message into dust. 

How to get a dose of that courage? See the rest of my blogs on this website.

Wait! You think your entire presentation has to be on the screen?  That's rarely true, not even in full-on conferences. Please take another look at all your slides and ask yourself, Which way will this content have more impact? By adding my voice to what is on the screen? Or by delivering it while looking the audience in the eye?  Be especially ruthless with word-only slides, which have near zero impact.

For now, if you like that picture of yourself in 1. and 2. above, here's a final tip. Get hold of a projector in advance and practise the movements. Better still, get a friend to watch and give you feedback. Get your body and brain used to it.  Then, for the real thing, look forward to audiences impressed by your increased personal authority.

Try it. Then consider this - there's an even better way to use the blank screen to your advantage. Go to PowerPoint Tip 10: insert a 'sleep slide'

 

 

 

Ready for more? See the archive

Leading people who work from home

Interested in training for your leaders?

We’ll show your leaders how to keep their teams motivated and productive.

Learn more

Register for The Skillset Brief

Tips, advice and insights from our specialists.

It's not a newsletter. There's no news and it's not about us - just ideas you can use.

We send them out every few weeks.

Register for The Skillset Brief