Keep the design simple

Whether you're using your presentation board in a sales meeting or setting up a display board at a tradeshow, the same design rules apply. The overall design should be clean and simple — think big, bold images and big titles that read like headlines.

I recommend: For design dos and don'ts, check out the "Deadly Sins of Visual Presentation" and "10 Tips for Designing Effective Presentation Visuals".

Choose tradeshow display boards

Having a display board containing product or service information at your tradeshow booth is one of the most effective ways to communicate your message. Attendees can browse the information on the display board while the booth host demonstrates or discusses the product. Choose from one of many varieties of tabletop display boards.

I recommend: Portable foldable displays are one the most convenient for tradeshows that require air travel. Wave boards made from flexible plastic roll up and slide into a tube for easy transporting. Fabric pop-up displays are also easy to install by attaching them to a lightweight aluminum frame.

Print your own sales presentations

It isn't always cost-effective to have presentation boards professionally printed for sales calls. Presentation boards can look professional and neat if you do them yourself. By having a stock of blank display boards on hand, you can affix posters and artwork to them.

I recommend: Find a variety of tri-fold sized blank display boards at FoamBoardSource.com. To create a great display or storyboard, head to your nearest FedExKinko's store for four-color large format prints that can be pasted to the storyboard. Avery Sign Kits lets you print display boards using your desktop printer.

Use presentation boards for meetings

For in-house meetings or brainstorming sessions, use blank display boards and jot down ideas as they come up.

I recommend: Dry-erase boards and chalkboards are available at ErgoInDemand.com. If you have a lot of notes or prefer to save brainstorming notes, try easel pads available at Staples.com.

Find additional uses for tradeshow displays

Put your tradeshow display boards to use even when you aren't at a tradeshow. Large stand-alone tradeshow booth panels do double duty as a visual communication tool when displayed in your office lobby or showroom.

I recommend: Pop-up tradeshow booths are available from Displays2Go.