Are you using the most powerful tool in PowerPoint?
I’m often surprised by how many presenters either don’t know about or don’t use the ‘B’ key in PowerPoint. It’s such a simple tool, but it can transform how you connect with your audience.
So what am I talking about? Well, when you’re in Slideshow mode, pressing the ‘B’ key blacks out the screen. Press it again, and your slides return. Voilà!
Depending on the design of your slides and how much information you have included (tip: less is more), your audience is likely to be spending a lot of time looking at the screen and not at you.
If you’re not using a clicker to blank the screen, pressing the ‘B’ key shifts the attention back to you, which is important when you want to tell a story, emphasise a point or make it more dynamic.
It’s also valuable if a question has been asked and the slide on display isn’t relevant to the discussion.
So, if you want to reinforce connection with your audience, avoid slide overload and control the room more effectively, try using the ‘B' key in your next presentation.
P.S. The ‘W’ key works the same way and gives you a white blank screen, which can be a better option in some settings.
What do you think? Do you blank the screen during your presentations, or is this something you’re interested to try? Let me know in the comments or send me a message at mel@melsherwood.com
Mel Sherwood is a Presentation Skills and Personal Impact Speaker, Founder of The RED Effect™ and Author of ‘The Authority Guide to Pitching Your Business: How to make an impact and be remembered - in under a minute!’ She works with ambitious business leaders, teams and individuals who want to express themselves with confidence, credibility and charisma. An Australian based in Scotland, Mel is an award-winning speaker, author and coach and combines over 25 years’ experience in business with a background as an actor, presenter and singer.