1. Let your slides reinforce your point, not repeat it
The expression "Death by PowerPoint" was coined for those people who get up there, turn on the projector, and then proceed to read their presentation straight from the slides. I beg you not to be one of these people…
If you need a reminder of what you're going to say, rather use cue cards. Also be sure to never use the same words as the ones on your slides; the words on the slides are there to reinforce what you've said, that's all.
2. Keep your word-count down to six words per slide
Your audience does not want to spend their time reading your slides; they want you to make a presentation. If you're going to fill up your slides with text you may as well just type up a Word document and email it out.
No idea that you understand well should need more than six words per slide to get your point across.
3. Use only high-quality images
Images are a big part of your PowerPoint presentations, or at least they should be. You should never use low-quality, fuzzy images, but rather clear, high resolution stock images.
When used correctly images can help the audience remember what you're talking about after your presentation. For example, when using images that seem somewhat unrelated, the audience may become more attentive wondering how this image may fit into the overall presentation, and then remember what you've said because of this.
4. Avoid silly transitions
It might seem quite cool that there are a handful of fun PowerPoint transitions you can use to go from slide to slide, but the most important thing to remember is that you aren't in high school anymore.
The majority of the transitions will make your presentation seem quite juvenile (especially the bouncy ones…) and over and above that, they aren't really necessary at all.
5. Hand out a report on your presentation after you've finished
Some people like to hand out copies of their printed slides after presentations, but I'd advise against this for the simple reason that your slides aren't effective without you presenting them.
Instead, compile a report covering what you will go over in your presentation but don't give this out until you've finished - you want your audience to be listening to you, not reading.
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