Use lots of color in your PowerPoint presentation to thrill and engage your audience. Right? Not necessarily.

Too much color can actually be distracting. Keep in mind, you want your audience to listen to what you're saying. You don't want them to be distracted by what's on your slides - too much text and, yes, even too much color can detract from your message.

Check out this video, part of SlideFest, for more savvy dos and don'ts about using color, including how to use built-in themes to keep your presentation looking professional.

For more about SlideFest, including a chance to win a trip to the 2012 TEDActive conference in Palm Springs by submitting your best presentation, visit www.office.com/slidefest.

And for more about using color in your presentation, see Monday's post by guest blogger Bruce Gabrielle.

-- Erik Jensen