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Tip 4. Use the Black and White templates to unlock max creativity.

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:16:19 -0600

Keynote’s templates are a great starting point for creating stunning presentations.

But it’s always good to keep in mind that someone in your audience just might have Keynote as well, and has seen and used that very same template. And if your audience is thinking: ‘Hey, that probably took 15 min to throw together’ because they are looking at the template and not the content, then you’ve already lost the game as presenter.

One way to ensure your presentations won’t look like anyone else’s is to use the black and white templates as a starting point. From there, you can add lines, pictures, and animations as you please. They still will only take about 15 min to throw together, but no one will ever say, ‘hey, I’ve seen that template before.’

Tip 3. Use Alpha Channel for interesting photos.

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:21:08 -0600

Another way to draw the audience’s eye is to remove all distractions from the picture you’re using to help tell your story. And one tool you have at your disposal to help you in this effort is the Alpha Channel tool.

The Alpha Channel tool is located on Keynote’s toolbar, and is easy to use. It’s a little more tricky to perfect, and trickier still to know when best to deploy. Watch the one minute tutorial above to find out more.

Tip 2. Mask photos to use the best parts.

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:55:45 -0600

Ideally, Keynote should be used to provide a visual backdrop for your presentation. Easiest way to create a visual presentation?

Use pictures.

What’s more, you can mask your photos to bring the audience’s attention to only the most interesting parts.

Tip 1. Use the templates as a starting point only.

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:15:43 -0600

For slidshow presentations, iWork’s Keynote is hands-down the best application to create fantastic looking slides with a minimum of effort.

The themes included with Keynote are a great starting point, but as I caution in the One Minute Tutorial above, should probably be used as a starting point only.