How to Make a Great Handout

How to Make a Great Handout Paul F. Aubin Author / Consultant

Welcome! Thank you for attending Speaker Readiness WebcastHow to Make a Great Handout Your Presenter: Paul F. Aubin

Agenda • Setting a handout goal • Determining the handout style • Building an outline • Capturing images like a pro • The Finishing Touches • Summary - What makes a great handout?

Getting Started • Speaker Resource Center • Last Year’s Webcasts • AU Online

Recorded Webcasts – Great Handouts

Preparing for your Session Not Procrastination equal Does Not s Quality Careful planning and execution will ensure quality

Setting a handout goal • Have something to say. • What are you hoping to achieve? • What would make you want to read this paper? • What kind of paper would you like to read? • What didn’t you like about other papers you have read? • Write like it’s important.

Decide the style of Handout you want • Integral or Supplemental • Narrative • Tutorial • Tips and Tricks • Case Studies • Combination • Other…

Build an Outline • Beginning – Middle – End • Spend time getting the flow right • Use Headings in Word • Use Excel to group and sort • Use “analog” methods • "Brain Dump" Method • Make the outline fit the goal and style Blink

Microsoft Word Tips • Use Word Styles • Outline View • Image Placement • Track Changes

Tips for Word

Capture Images like a pro • Using screen captures • Using other forms of illustrations • Formatting images • SnagIt • Photoshop • Print Screen

Image Capture Tips • PPI = Pixels Per Inch • Screen Resolution is 72 PPI • Most Autodesk dialogs are several hundred pixels wide • Plan for 150 to 200 PPI for print • Make sure images will look OK in Black and White • A picture speaks a thousand words, and can consume as much time to create

Image Capture Tips (& Paul’s Pet Peeves) • Capture on a white background • Crop images cleanly • Rely on the UI to highlight items • Create composite images to show several steps • Keep annotations simple and clear • Remember – we read top to bottom, left to right • Keep your SNAG files

Using SnagIt

SnagIt • Visit snagit.com for excellent tutorials

Get it done • Meet the deadlines • Review your goals • 10 percent inspiration, 90 percent perspiration • Focus as much on the end as the beginning • (It’s too easy to start with a bang and then end with a whimper) • Proofread • Proofread again

Class Paper • Have a plan! • What do you want your paper to achieve? • How can you make a valuable resource to participants? • Examples of Paper Focus • Tool for participants to follow along in session • List of tips or resources for use after session • Tutorial based lesson (Step-by-step) • Stand-alone document • Print out of your PowerPoint

Class Paper • Remember the Page Limit • More isn’t always better • Be concise, get to the point • Remember folks will want to refer to this after AU • Formatting • Use the provided template • Use bullets or bolding to highlight important items • Don’t overdue it (if everything is bold, nothing is) • Proofread!

Summary – What AU Attendees Want With over 600 classes to choose from, they want to know they picked the right one. Don’t tease them and leave them hanging – give them the goods! Re-read your course description Stay focused. Give what you promised and a little more

Summary – What AU Attendees Want Make takeaways powerful and memorable An informative and entertaining presentation A great paper Online access to you or follow-up posted resources Have fun!If you enjoy it, they will too.

Please Visit • www.paulaubin.com • paulfaubin.blogspot.com/Thoughts on publishing CAD books • Thank you!

How to Make a Great Handout