Flipcharts 101

Flipcharts are one of the most useful and easiest to use of all presenter tools, and yet people still make some basic mistakes when they use them. Follow these simple guidelines to make the best use of your flipchart. 

• DO write in bold, capital letters - No matter how good your handwriting is, it will still be difficult to read at a distance.
  
• DO NOT block the flipchart when writing on it, your participants want to see what you are writing.
  
• DO use dark colors for words. On a white flipchart red and green text is difficult to read at a distance.
  
• DO NOT talk to the flipchart. It really has no interest in what you have to say, and your audience may miss something important.
  
• DO use numbers to highlight list points. It is easier to talk about Number 3 than the third item.
  
• DO NOT use the back of previously used flipcharts, the ink can leak through an make it hard to read. It also looks cheap!
  
• DO only have 1 idea per page. They are easier to annotate and make a bigger impact.
  
• DO NOT try and write a novel on a flipchart. Keep the content down to a few points only.
  
• DO use flipchart pages as reminders to pinned around the wall. (You can even get Post-It style flipcharts for easy sticking!)
  
• DO use pictures, diagrams and flowcharts they increase understanding and make the information more memorable.
  
• DO use Post-Its as bookmarks to highlight particularly important charts.