Lost Without PowerPoint? 7 Tips to Make It Powerful

When I ask my clients, “How long is your presentation?” it scares me when they answer, “Twelve slides.” Even worse is when I ask, “How do you design your presentation?” and they respond, “We get the slide deck.”

Let’s be clear: PowerPoint is a very valuable tool, not a presentation. If you start with your slides, you’re putting the cart before the horse and sabotaging what could be a compelling and successful message.

Design First. Slides Later.

Presentation design is a creative, strategic process. Begin with your outline. What is your key message? What action do you want your audience to take? What stories will make your ideas come alive? Complete this on a flip chart, whiteboard, or legal pad.

Once your content is organized and structured, then—and only then—ask yourself:
“How can I visually support what I’m saying?”

That’s when PowerPoint becomes powerful. Charts, graphs, images, and diagrams help illustrate and amplify your ideas. However, only if used with intention.

Here are seven techniques to ensure PowerPoint works for you, not against you.

  1. Use Fewer Words, More Slides

Your audience can’t read and listen simultaneously. Don’t crowd each slide. Instead, spread your ideas across more slides and use fewer words on each one. Use builds (animation or transition effects) to bring in bullet points one at a time. Microsoft recommends using minimal and straightforward text per slide to keep the focus on your message.

Microsoft Tip: Aim for the “6×6 rule” – no more than six words per line and six lines per slide. I believe even that can be too much.

  1. Manage Attention: Blank the Screen

If you don’t want your audience to look at the screen, give them permission not to. When you’re telling a story, answering a question, or discussing something unrelated to the slide, turn the screen black. Press “B” on your keyboard or use your remote control. That small technique can bring eyes—and attention—back to you.

  1. Customize for Your Audience

Make your prospects feel special. Include their logo. Refer to their situation. Tailor your examples to their industry. If your slides look like you could have delivered them yesterday to someone else, you’ve missed the mark. Customized images build connection and credibility.

For example, when I was delivering a virtual presentation for SHRM in Mexico, I removed every image of people and replaced them with pictures of people from Mexico. A week later, I presented to SHRM in Barbados. Yes, you guessed it. These images were replaced with people who live in Barbados. The content was the same as I would deliver in the US.

Microsoft Suggestion: Use “Design Ideas” in PowerPoint to quickly adapt a consistent look and feel, then customize with your client’s branding.

  1. Remember: Slides Don’t Build Relationships

Ask yourself: “If I emailed my slides, would I make the sale?” Of course not. You are the most essential part of the presentation. Your slides support you, not the other way around.

If you could still make the sale without slides, you’re truly presentation-ready.

  1. Prepare Two Versions

If your message is complex, create two versions of your PowerPoint:

  • One for delivery: image-rich, text-light, visually engaging.
  • One as a leave-behind: detailed, complete, and readable without narration.

Not all of what you say needs to be on the slide. What’s on the slide does not need to include everything you say.

Microsoft Tool: Use “Speaker Notes” for your delivery version. Then, create a “Save as PDF” version to use as your handout.

  1. Be Visually Consistent

In many organizations, slides come from multiple decks. This leads to inconsistent fonts, colors, and formatting. This distracts from your message. Choose a style and stick with it. Same font. Same alignment. Same rules for capitalization and punctuation.

Microsoft Tip: Use Slide Master to enforce consistent branding and formatting across all slides.

  1. Be Ready to Unplug

Not every decision-maker wants PowerPoint. Some want a whiteboard discussion. Others prefer just a conversation. Be prepared to unplug and adapt. If a client says, “Please, no slides. Just talk to us,” be ready to deliver with confidence, clarity, and structure.

This flexibility proves your command of the material and deepens trust.

Bonus: Design with Accessibility in Mind

Microsoft emphasizes accessibility. When creating slides:

  • Use high contrast text and background colors
  • Add alternative text (alt text) for images
  • Use built-in slide layouts rather than text boxes
  • Avoid flashing or fast animation

These minor adjustments ensure everyone in your audience can access and engage with your content.

FrippVT: Your Solution for Powerful, Persuasive Presentations

FrippVT is my web-based training platform that gives you the skills to become a world-class presenter—on your schedule. Whether you are a novice or seasoned speaker, you’ll find ideas you can use immediately.

If you want to transform your presentations and become the confident communicator your role demands, FrippVT is your next step.

Complimentary trial available now: FrippVT.com

“The information in FrippVT is as valuable as any college course I’ve taken. This is a resource that everyone should be aware of. The investment is worth ten times more than I paid and has been life-changing. My fees, recommendations, and referrals have increased dramatically. I am delighted.” Mitzi Perdue, author of How to Make Your Family Business Last

“To watch how our veteran group of salespeople became involved in your Storytelling to Increase Sales was impressive. We are excited to continue your training with FrippVT Sales.” Jeff Walters, Vice President, North American Sales, Peak-Ryzex

“For my most important speeches, I call Patricia Fripp.” Wanda Hope, Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson & Johnson Worldwide

 

Read More...

Wimborne: From Saxon Abbey to Vibrant Riverside Market Town

To continue the stories of my vacation!

Origins & Saxon Glory

I have often told my American friends, “You do not know what old is, unless you travel to England and Europe.”

My brother Robert Fripp and I had fun visiting our home town of Wimborne. It was founded around 705 AD when St Cuthburga established a double monastery for monks and nuns. Nestled beside the River Allen, it is a theological and cultural hub in Dorset.

This foundation would shape the town’s spiritual identity for centuries, enduring Viking raids in 1013 and evolving into a collegiate church by the Norman Conquest.

Architectural Legacy & Royal Connections

I was confirmed in the Minster church, which is still a thriving part of the community and tourism. Romanesque and Gothic in style, it dates primarily from the 12ᵗʰ century, though Victorian restorations refined its grandeur.

I never get tired of visiting the Minster’s chained library (one of only four in England), a 14ᵗʰ‑century astronomical clock, and tombs honoring King Ethelred I, brother of Alfred the Great, as well as John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.

Read More...

Norfolk: A Vacation Destination Full of History, Charm, and Creative Fuel

Whenever I return to the UK, I explore somewhere new I have never visited, even after decades of back-and-forth trips across the Atlantic. This time, it was Norfolk, and what a delightfully surprising choice it was.

One of my greatest pleasures is listening to thrillers on Audible.

Hidden Norfolk series

Recently, I’ve been captivated by J.M. Dalgliesh’s Hidden Norfolk series. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Norfolk, these stories combine atmospheric landscapes with cleverly crafted mysteries. His lead detective, Tom Janssen, must solve crimes without the crutch of firearms, because in the UK, most police don’t carry guns. That adds a layer of intelligence, restraint, and psychological tension, making each story feel even more real.

What I appreciate most is how Dalgliesh brings Norfolk to life. You don’t just follow the plot, you walk the windy beaches, peer into tight-knit communities, and feel the weight of every decision a detective must make.

Read More...

Need a New Perspective, Fresh Ideas, and Inspiration for Your Next Speech?

Then perhaps you need to take a vacation?

I am now one week into my three-week vacation in the UK.

This isn’t just a holiday, it’s a meaningful pause, a reconnection with my roots, and a chance to enjoy quality time with some of my favorite people.

My long-time friend and negotiation expert, Derek Arden, met me at Heathrow airport.

In the UK, he’s my chauffeur, train schedule interpreter, and enthusiastic tour guide around Dorset. We talk non-stop, and as fellow lifelong learners, our conversations stimulate us to be better and more creative in serving our clients and audiences.

Read More...

Are You Looking for a Secret Weapon to Make Your Presentations Successful?

Audience interaction is more than asking questions or inviting a show of hands.

It is about engagement, connection, and curiosity. In my decades as a keynote speaker and executive speech coach, I have learned that when you interact with your audience, they feel seen, heard, and valued. They do not sit back passively; they lean in.

When we train and work with audiences of executives, engineers, or ambitious professionals, the moment our audience participates, the experience becomes theirs, not ours.

A few simple techniques work wonders:

Ask a rhetorical question that makes them think.

Refer to what someone said earlier.

Ask them for their examples that also reinforce our points of wisdom.

Acknowledge their challenges and link our content to their world.

Interaction transforms a presentation from a one-way delivery into a two-way connection.

Read More...

Storytelling: Your Secret Weapon in Recruitment

Want to Attract Top Talent? Tell Better Stories

Hiring the right people is difficult—it’s expensive when you get it wrong. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a bad hire can cost up to 30% of that employee’s annual salary. That doesn’t include the emotional cost to your team or the loss of momentum.

Fripp helps you drive sales with stories.

All my clients tell me, “We’re doing our best to recruit the top 10% of available talent.”

While presenting at my 27th consecutive PayrollOrg Congress, I sat in the front row of a session that reinforced what I already teach—and gave me a new way to say it.

It was led by Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment Group, a prominent voice in HR and payroll recruitment. Nick is known for his podcast, thought leadership, and a standout idea: Storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have in recruitment.

Nick emphasized that compelling storytelling is not just the job of HR. Everyone involved in recruitment, from hiring managers to executives to happy associates, plays a role in shaping the story that top candidates will either want to join or ignore.

As Nick said, “If you only advertise job tasks or reuse the same bland job description year after year, don’t expect extraordinary people to respond.”

Here’s the difference one sentence can make:

“Our last Payroll Manager is now leading international payroll for our entire enterprise.” That’s a story. That inspires ambition. That gets results.

As a presentation skills expert, I’ve long taught that storytelling builds connection, drives engagement, and accelerates buy-in. When you sell a service, present a vision, or recruit talent, the right story can make your message irresistible.

When I coach companies on their internal presentations, I often suggest how to welcome new hires with memorable language:

“Congratulations on accepting what could well be your best job ever.”

“I will never forget my first day here and what has kept me here for 15 years.”

“In case you’re unfamiliar with some of our challenges, triumphs, and turning points…”

“Here’s what you can look forward to…” (Create positive expectations.)

“Let’s meet a few of the people who make this a great place to work…” (Bring them to life with stories.)

The real question isn’t “Are you hiring?”

Are you recruiting in a way that makes people feel like they’re stepping into a story worth telling?

Nick Day would agree: “You’ll never be able to tell a great company story unless you use storytelling to recruit the right characters to help shape it.”

Need help telling your story? Let’s talk.

“Patricia, you significantly impact Congress through all you do. You speak at Congress and are responsible for many industry expert presentations enjoyed throughout the week.”

Dan Maddux, Executive Director 

Read More...

Mentors and Coaches Shorten Your Learning Curve and Get You Results Faster

Mentors and Coaches Shorten Your Learning Curve and Get You Results Faster

There are two primary ways to learn: on your own or from learned others. In my experience, the second option accelerates success and deepens insight.

When I was a young hairstylist in England, my first mentors were senior stylists, coworkers, and generous bosses who modelled the professional excellence I aspired to. Later, as an emerging speaker, I sought out seasoned presenters who generously shared their hard-earned wisdom. I eventually invested in a range of coaches—each from different disciplines—because I understood one key principle: you shorten your learning curve by standing on the shoulders of giants.

Now, as a presentation coach to executives, engineers, and sales professionals, my mission is clear: help them communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact… faster than they could on their own.

Read More...

 What Women Must Know to Command the Stage Without Distractions

When professional women step onto the stage to present, we want to look confident, competent, and polished.

Of course, we want to look good; however, never at the expense of our message. Every choice we make either reinforces our message or distracts from it.

Your audience should be captivated by your words, more than your wardrobe.

That means:

Avoid jangly earrings that dance with every head movement; they will hypnotize and mesmerize your audience in all the wrong ways.

Bracelets that jingle when you gesture? Leave them off. They pull focus from your words.

Open-toed shoes or backless footwear might be perfect for a party, not a presentation. You don’t want your flashy toenails or the sound of flip-flop shoes to distract the audience by looking at your feet, not your face.

Read More...

Blank Page to Standing Ovation: The Fripp Formula for Powerful Presentations

Your Speech Structure Frees You to Be Creative

As you prepare your upcoming presentations, your content is everything you want to say. Your structure helps you organize your brilliant ideas so they land with clarity and impact. Think of it like this: Your content is the flesh over your structure, which is the skeleton. One brings the shape, the other brings the power.

If you’re like most speakers, your creative process is wonderfully messy. That’s exactly as it should be—creativity is messy. However, your audience deserves more than a flood of ideas. They need a clear path, a focused message, and a speaker who sounds confident and in control. That’s where structure makes all the difference.

The Fripp Structure process helps you shape your ideas into a message that’s organized, persuasive, and unforgettable. It saves you time, reduces stress, and makes you look polished and professional, no matter your topic, audience, or speaking experience.

Read More...

Want to Learn the Public Speaking Not So Basic Basics from an Expert?

For decades, I have enjoyed a successful career as a keynote speaker and speech coach for executives, sales teams and other professional speakers. My social media posts, articles, books and online learning platform Fripp Virtual Training FrippVT are designed to help ambitious professionals like you gain a competitive edge.

Here you will learn the Not-So-Basic Basics.

It never ceases to amaze me that intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious professionals often overlook developing the number-one skill that is guaranteed to put them ahead of the crowd.

Namely, developing the ability to stand up and speak eloquently in public, or at least stagger to their feet and say anything at all.

What is it about public speaking that terrifies so many? Most likely, it’s because we don’t want to look, feel, or sound stupid in front of others.

As a speech coach, when I first meet my clients, I often hear, ‘I am a terrible public speaker.’

To which I reply, “No. You are an untrained speaker.” My second comment is, “Stop telling yourself what you do not want. This is reinforcing what we are going to change.”

Read More...