Better Presentations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks

As a visual analytics advisor at a large public health company, "Help me fix my slide deck!" is one of the most common requests I get from colleagues. "Fixing" a slide deck isn't just about making better looking visualizations (though they certainly help): Better Presentations hits the sweet spot between presentation structure, design, and delivery, and makes what can feel like a daunting skill to master immensely accessible.Jon does an excellent job laying out an easy-to-follow framework for approaching presentation design, from overall flow to simple tweaks anyone can make to a slide to make it easier for your audience to connect to your story. Unlike many other presentation and visualization design books that focus primarily on examples from business (sales, profit, KPIs, etc.), I've found his book to be highly relatable for those working in social sector programs and would recommend it to anyone looking to rock their next big presentation.

I bought this book in May, right as my semester was ending. It was so insightful, that I finished it the day I received it in the mail. I implemented several of the techniques into my summer course and it was very well-received. This is an excellent book for anyone that frequently presents. I'm an academic, so I "present" 30+ times per semester. The tips in this book, combined with the website, make it an extremely useful resource. I usually keep it close by, but it's currently with a colleague -- as word spreads, I imagine I may need to order another copy. :)

If you make a lot of presentations using PowerPoint or other visual presentation software, this book will likely provide a bevy of very useful information to you. I found myself using the suggestions in the presentations I was making even as I read the book. I can attest these strategies do work very well. I already feel my presentations are indeed better because of the suggestions I have used so far. I look forward to adopting many other of these concepts as well.On the downside, this book doesn’t have the most captivating writing. While if you’re looking for great content, this book will meet likely meet your expectations, but if that content must be wrapped in engaging text, perhaps look elsewhere.

I saw several Tweets praising this book a few months ago and immediately ordered the book. Very glad I did. I am constantly giving presentations (classes, seminars, conferences, meetings) and am always on the lookout for advice on how to improve my presentations. This book is an amazing resource on presentations. A gold mine of tips and suggestions. The advice is soup to nuts. Presentation structure, slide layout, color, typeface, everything. Chock full of great practical advice. Highly recommended - I made all my graduate students get a copy.

This book is a must read for anyone who uses charts, graphs, or other data in their presentations. It breaks down every decision you need to make with regard to color, shape, density, etc. and provides clear guidance. Jon provides fantastic examples of each point he makes, walking the reader through various choices to make the presentation more clear, concise, legible, and impactful. He writes in a very readable and enjoyable way -- succinct and incisive. He also provides a number of resources for making consistent and engaging palettes, choosing fonts, and many other design tips for non-designers. All in all, this book is essential to making EXCEPTIONAL presentations, not just better presentations.

I found this book very useful -- it's mercifully short and gets right to the point, with easy-to-implement, practical tips. Probably most helpful for researchers who present at conferences, like me.Edit: I just got back from a conference where I used these tips in my presentations, and I got SO much positive feedback. It was crazy. Suddenly I have a reputation as being a good presenter! Pretty amazing. I think people see so many dry, text-heavy, not-practiced presentations at conferences, that people who make a little effort really stand out. Yeah, so anyway, buy this book!

This book is what I really wish to read and prepare myself to better my skills.

- easy to read- includes color examples of typical versus better presentation practices- divided into approachable chaptersIncludes intro to color theory and design aspects that will make your presentations more effectiveGreat for anyone who has ever or ever will give a powerpoint presentation (which is nearly everyone).I'm a PhD trainee and give many presentations.