Over the past week or so, we’ve been talking a bit about how to incorporate visual aids into your presentations. And I promised that we’d spend some more time discussing what is probably the most popular visual aid used by professional speakers today – presentation software.
As I mentioned last week, there are a number of platforms out there designed to help you create dynamic visual aids for your presentations, from big name software programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote to online applications like Google Docs and presentation mavericks like Prezi.
Before we get any further into the ins and outs of the various presentation creation platforms, I thought I’d refer you to Note & Point, a web project by Christian Ross and Dave Ruiz that seeks to collect and curate the finest examples of presentation decks out there today.
The website focuses on presentations done in Keynote, PDF, PowerPoint and SlideRocket – and it is chock-full of inspiration.
Take some time to click around and explore the site. I guarantee you’ll be impressed by the presentations on display – and that they’ll inspire you to take your visual aids to a whole new level. Enjoy!
Here’s a topic that can be of benefit to both event planners and emerging professional speakers themselves.
As an event planner it may be your responsibility to introduce the speaker on stage at your event. We discussed the ins and outs of crafting a speaker introduction and presenting it on Friday, but what about the technical aspects? Do you know how to use a microphone?
There are a few types of microphones out there and each one has its own unique characteristics, but the two most common types are handheld microphones and lavalier microphones. Here’s what you should know about using them.
Handheld microphones
We all know what handheld microphones look like. They usually have a thick, sturdy black handle and are topped with a round black or silver almost-mesh-like ball that you speak into. There are newer, sleeker variations of handheld microphones out there, but this standard microphone is still most common. If your event is using a handheld microphone on stage, it will also generally come with a microphone stand.
Start by familiarizing yourself with the microphone and stand. Learn how to turn the microphone on and off and practise taking the mic in and out of its stand. Also learn how to adjust the stand to various heights and angles.
Raise the stand so that the microphone is at the same level as your mouth. And adjust the angle of the mic so it is pointed toward your mouth. Do this by holding onto the handle or neck of the microphone. Remember: Do not touch the ball of the mic while adjusting it, if you do and the mic is turned on you’re likely to create some unpleasant feedback.
The general rule is to position your face about eight to 10 inches in front of the microphone. Be careful not to get much closer than that. If you speak too close to the mic it may distort your voice and create strange hissing or popping sounds – or worse, it’ll produce high-pitched screeching and feedback. Try to remember that microphones are designed to capture and magnify the sounds that radiate toward them and across them and through them, they are not designed to capture sounds shouted directly into them.
When speaking into a microphone that is on a stand, be sure to stand straight and tall. The better your posture, the better and clearer your voice will flow from your diaphragm. If you have to bend your neck to speak into the mic, it is not positioned properly. Readjust it until you’re standing comfortably and you feel right. When talking into a microphone, talk at your normal speaking volume. Do not shout – it’s the mic’s job to amplify your voice, not yours. Feel free to move your body around while you’re speaking, just always ensure that your mouth is pointed toward the ball of the microphone and that it remains the same eight to 10 inch distance away from it.
If you opt to remove the microphone from its stand and hold it while you speak, there are a couple of key things to remember. Hold the microphone at chest level and be sure to keep the ball of the mic below your mouth and at an angle pointing toward your nose. And if the microphone has a cord attached to it, do be careful manoeuvring around the stage. You should be aware of where the cord is at all times to avoid tripping over it.
Finally, always do a sound check before your event. If your venue has a sound technician, make use of him. If not, familiarize yourself with the sound system and have somebody help you by moving around the room and checking the sound in various areas as you speak.
Lavalier microphones
Lavalier microphones are small hands-free microphones that get clipped onto your shirt front. Lavalier mics allow you more freedom and a greater range of movement. Some are wireless, while others have a small wire that runs from the mic to a small battery pack that gets clipped to the back of your waist.
Again, familiarize yourself with the on and off controls of the microphone. This is especially important with a lavalier mic: Due to their size and ease of use, it’s possible to forget you’re even wearing one. So make sure to turn your lavalier mic off as soon as you leave the stage – otherwise who knows what you’ll end up broadcasting to the audience.
The placement of a lavalier microphone is incredibly important. You’ll want to clip the mic about eight to 10 inches below your chin, and the closer to the centre of your body the better. As a result, if you know you’ll be using a lavalier mic, you need to dress appropriately. The mic can be clipped to a shirt collar if need be and a men’s tie works great. However, the best idea may be to wear a button-up shirt as you can always clip a lavalier mic to the shirt’s front placket. If you’ll be using a lavalier mic, make sure not to wear long dangly necklaces as they may bump the microphone and create unwanted noise or feedback. And if you have long hair, be sure to pull it back so it doesn’t cover the mic and muffle the sound.
Again, stand with good posture when using a lavalier microphone. The taller and more erect you stand, the more air there will be in your diaphragm and the clearer your voice will sound. And you’ll need to do a sound check with this type of microphone as well.
Do you have any tips or funny stories about learning to use a microphone? Share them with us here or on the Inspiring Speakers Facebook page. Till next time!
This Friday, March 30, 2012, Facebook will be implementing their new “timeline” feature for businesses.
Do you have a Facebook page for your professional speaking business? And is it ready for the change?
If you have a personal Facebook profile, chances are you’re already familiar with the Facebook timeline. The feature was implemented for personal accounts a couple of months ago. However, there are a few things you should know about Facebook pages – and the new timeline in particular – for businesses. Today we’ll talk about cover photos.
“Pages are the essential place on Facebook for businesses to build connections with people. It’s where you connect with fans by announcing new products, sharing news and gathering feedback,” says an overview of Facebook pages on the Facebook Help Center website. “Pages allow you to: express your identity with features like cover photo and page timeline; reach and engage your audience on the web and on mobile; and respond to people in a quick, more personal way.”
The first thing you’ll want to do to update to the new page style is to add a cover photo to your Facebook page. The space for your cover photo is large (in fact, it is banner size: 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels high) so it is a great opportunity to feature a photo or image that really captures who you are and what your speaking platform is all about. Your cover photo is the first thing people will notice when they come to your Facebook page, so you really want it to make an impact. One great cover photo idea for professional speakers is a photo of you, lit up on stage, speaking to a crowd.
Keep in mind that Facebook has set out guidelines concerning what you can and cannot include on your cover photo. The guidelines state:
“Covers can’t be deceptive, misleading, or infringe on anyone else’s copyright. You may not encourage people to upload your cover to their personal timelines. Covers may not include:
price or purchase information, such as ‘40% off’ or ‘Download it on socialmusic.com’;
contact information such as a website address, email, mailing address or information that should go in your page’s ‘About’ section;
references to Facebook features or actions, such as ‘Like’ or ‘Share’ or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features; or
calls to action, such as ‘Get it now’ or ‘Tell your friends.’”
Check back next week for another Social Media Monday post on the new Facebook timeline. And don’t forget to share your new Facebook cover photos with us here or on our Facebook page. We’d love to see what you’ve come up with!
Effective presentations help people learn something – period. And it is the job of the presenter to make learning easier for the audience. Thus, it is important that a presentation is effectively delivered and understood by its intended listeners.
Know your subject matter by heart and know your audience. Give yourself an edge by reading more on the topic. Know the latest trends and issues. The ability to deliver your topic with confidence and conviction directly affects how your audience will accept your ideas.
See how you can relate the topic to the type of audience you have. Knowing your audience will give you an idea on what appropriate experiences and stories to tell.
Use a presentation script. Have an interesting opening. You can open your presentation with a question, a joke or even a short anecdote.
Make an introduction of your topic. Before beginning, it is best if you can give the audience an overview of what to expect. Emphasize that the topic will really be beneficial to them. Encourage them to take down notes and ask questions for them to make the most out of your presentation.
As you tackle your topic section by section, ask your listeners questions. By asking questions, you deepen their understanding. Support your points with real-life experiences that your audience can relate to.
Synthesize your presentation. At the end, wrap up by going through the major points.
Use visuals in your presentation. Graphics will support your spoken words. It is widely proven that people learn more and information is more retained when presentations are enhanced with visuals.
Check that your presentation’s font size is big enough for the back portion of the audience to see. Use simple charts for visuals.
Inject humour in your delivery. Humour is one of the most effective ways to grab the attention of your listeners. Humour makes the audience more relaxed. However, do not overdo it by using sexist, political or religious jokes. Use humour appropriately.
Get feedback from audience after. You may have a questionnaire distributed after your presentation to check if goals and objectives are met. Leave your contact details to them so that they can be encouraged to get in touch with you after for their questions or concerns.
While the above points will help during the delivery of the presentation, one must also take note of some points before the presentation proper.
Rehearse your presentation. Make sure that you will be delivering your presentation within the allowed time. You do not want to end up hogging the next speaker’s time.
Arrive at the venue earlier. This will give you time to set up your presentation. Check that all your technical stuff are working. Arriving early will also give you time to get to know some of the participants thus making yourself and themselves comfortable with each other.
You want people to listen to you in the next presentations. So arm yourself with the skills to make that presentation effective and appreciated by your audience.
As an event planner it may fall to you to introduce on stage the professional speaker you’ve hired for your event.
The speaker introduction is an important part of any event as it sets the tone for what is to follow. A good introduction will grab the audience’s attention, get them to focus and motivate them to listen. And it’s a pretty big responsibility. In fact, it’s such a big responsibility that many professional speakers don’t feel comfortable having other people write their introductions. Many speakers opt to write their own introductions and provide them to the event planner or person who will be introducing them.
Even if your speaker will be providing his or her own introduction, there are a number of things you should keep in mind about on-stage introductions. Here are seven tips to consider when it’s your duty to introduce a speaker.
Tip No. 1: Explain three things. Coming up with the content of your introduction should be fairly straightforward. Essentially you want to explain three things:
• what the speaker’s topic is;
• why the topic is relevant to the audience; and
• why the speaker is qualified to speak about the topic.
If you cover these three talking points, your introduction will pretty much write itself. Don’t go overboard though. You don’t want to give a complete outline of the presentation or give anything away. A short sentence that summarizes the general topic or theme is enough.
Tip No. 2: Keep it short. Your introduction should be short – as short as possible, really. One minute is probably long enough. Two minutes should be plenty. Your intro should definitely be no more than three minutes.
Tip No. 3: Be enthusiastic. If you’re excited about your speaker, your audience will be too.
Tip No. 4: Practise, practise, practise. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Practise, practise, practise! Draft your introduction – write it down – and practise it often. You may even want to attempt to memorize it. Though, some of the information commonly given in an introduction – the speaker’s education background and relevant work experience, for instance – is not always easy to remember. By writing it down and having a cue card to reference, you’ll be sure to get the facts straight. And on that note…
Tip No. 5: Get things right. Make sure your facts are accurate, and that you know the correct name – and topic – of the speaker’s presentation. Run your introduction by the speaker so he or she can confirm that what you plan on saying is accurate and truthful. And be sure to confirm the correct pronunciation of any tricky names or terminology.
Tip No. 6: Don’t exaggerate. Don’t refer to your speaker as “the best speaker you’ll ever hear.” And don’t claim his presentation will change your audience’s life. Claims like these may create feelings of skepticism or disbelief in your audience. You want them to come into the presentation with an open mind, not pre-conceived notions.
Tip No. 7:End on a high note and with a simple statement. Your introduction should build to a climax and end with a simple statement of introduction. Something along the lines of: “Ladies and gentlemen, give a warm welcome to John Doe!” By inviting the audience to welcome the speaker, you ensure he or she will be received with applause.
Follow these guidelines and your speaker introduction is sure to go smoothly. And hey, you never know, maybe once you get a taste for speaking in public you’ll want to pursue professional speaking yourself!
If you have any tips or tricks on how to craft and give speaker introductions, share them with us here or on the Inspiring Speakers Bureau Facebook page. Have a great weekend!
So when trying to come up with content for this week’s Inspiring Speaker Friday post I wasn’t sure how I could compete. I wasn’t sure I could come up with a presentation or speaker as inspiring as John’s examples.
But then I remembered the study I wrote about earlier this week, completed at the University of Minnesota 26 long years ago – in 1986 – that proved that “presentations using visual aids were found to be 43% more persuasive than unaided presentations.” And then I remembered a presentation from right around that time that involved all sorts of great visual aids.
On January 24, 1984, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs gave a speech introducing Apple’s first Macintosh personal computer. And in his presentation he employed a multitude of visual aids, including photographs, props and videos.
Steve started off by talking about the features – and showing some images – of the new Macintosh computer, which were impressive enough on their own. “Just as the 5¼-inch floppy disk drive was an innovation in the ’70s, the 3½-inch disk drive will be the disk of the ’80s,” said Steve. “It is far safer, and we’re storing over 400K bites of information on one side of a disk that can be put in your pocket.”
All the while, across from him on center stage – completely unaddressed and piquing the natural curiosity of the audience – sat a duffle bag perched on top of a table. Just what was in the bag?!
“You’ve just seen some pictures of Macintosh,” said Steve. “Now I’d like to show you Macintosh in person. All of the images you are about to see on the large screen will be generated by what’s in that bag.”
Steve could have just had the computer itself sitting on the table, and that would have been impressive enough. But by hiding it in the duffle bag he employed two of John Zimmer’s tips on using props: “Where possible, keep the prop hidden until you need it.” And: “If you talk about the prop before showing it, build a sense of anticipation before the audience sees it.”
And so, Steve used a prop – the duffle bag – to hide his true prop, the Macintosh computer, all the while building expectation and anticipation.
Another great moment and use of props was when Steve pulled the disk out of his coat pocket – proving his earlier point that the disk was in fact small enough to fit in your pocket.
The presentation continued on with visuals of what the computer could do and video clips of commercials for the product. All in all it was a presentation highly enhanced by visual aids, and it was just the beginning of the exciting presentations – and remarkable products – Steve Jobs would go on to conceive of and create.
Here is a checklist of some of the important things you should consider when setting up a venue for a speaking event.
The Room
• Decide which end of the room will be the front and which will be the back. Generally, you’ll want to have the entrance to the room at the back so that if audience members come and go they won’t interrupt – or distract from – the speaker.
• Determine the room setup you’ll be using and arrange the seating and tables (if you’re using them) accordingly. See yesterday’s post for some of the most common room setups: theatre style, banquet style, classroom style, boardroom style and U-shape.
• Make certain the chairs are comfortable. The longer the attendees will be sitting in them, the more important it is how comfortable they are.
• Arrange the seating so that each person has adequate room on either side of him or her. And make sure that the aisles and the space between each row of chairs are wide enough for people to easily manoeuvre.
• Determine if the setup of the room calls for a podium or platform stage. If your speaker has requested a lectern, ensure it is in place and that there is sufficient lighting above it for your speaker to refer to notes.
• Figure out how to adjust the room temperature. Where are the temperature controls? Do you have access to them or will you need to speak with a member of the venue’s staff to have the temperature adjusted? Ensure the room is neither too hot nor too cold, and that there are no uncomfortable drafts.
• Find out if there will be other events going on in rooms adjacent to yours, and establish if there will be any noise issues that may cause interruptions or distractions.
The Equipment
• Locate the electrical outlets in the room. Determine if there are enough of them for your equipment needs, and if their placement works with your setup of the room. Obtain any power bars or extension cords that you’ll need to accommodate your setup.
• Ensure you’ve obtained all of the equipment your speaker has requested in his or her contract.
• Turn on the microphones and sound system to make sure they are operating properly. Test the room’s acoustics by standing at different spots around the room and listening to the sound. If you come across any issues, such as reverb or strange echoes, speak to the venue’s sound operator to try and resolve them.
• Test the lights. Locate the room’s light switches and figure out how to use them. If your venue has a more complex lighting system, find out if they provide a lighting operator to run the system. If your speaker has special lighting requests, determine if they can be achieved with the lighting system that is in place. Plan out exactly which lights will be used and for which parts of the presentation or event. And if your venue does not have a lighting operator, enlist and instruct a helper to do the job for you.
• Test all audio-visual equipment. Ensure that all of your equipment and batteries are fully charged. And be sure to have backup equipment and replacement batteries on hand in case of emergencies. This goes for lighting, too. It’s best to be prepared for any emergency that might occur.
• Find out who to contact if problems with sound, lights or audio-visuals occur.
The Amenities
• Place signage around the venue directing attendees to the presentation room, bathrooms and any other locations they may need to get to.
• Make sure your venue and the setup of your room are wheelchair accessible. And find out if there will be any people with other special needs attending the event. You’ll want to speak to them to determine if they will need any special accommodations or modifications to fully participate in the presentation or event.
• Will you be providing the audience with refreshments in the presentation room? Does the event venue have any rules or regulations about having food or beverages in their rooms? It’s a good idea to at least have water on hand. Determine where you will set up a refreshment table and that you have enough refreshments on hand to satisfy your group.
General
• It’s always a good idea to do a practice run of the presentation. Ask your speaker to arrive early enough to run through a rehearsal. This will help ensure that everyone involved understands the cues for sound, lights and audio-visuals.
• Be sure to have the contact information of the venue’s staff on hand. You never know who – or what – you might need and when.
• Request that your speaker bring backup and hard copies of his or her presentation just in case there is irreparable computer or audio-visual failure.
Follow this checklist and your speaking event will be well on its way to success.
Yesterday I wrote about some of the most common visual aids used in presentations today: presentation software, flip charts and white boards.
Today we’ll discuss another: props!
Props can get a bad rap as they sometimes come off as cheesy or amateur. However, when used correctly, props can be extremely effective presentation tools. They can add visual interest by grabbing the audience’s attention and creating that “wow!” factor. And they can also support and reinforce a speaker’s concepts and ideas, and help develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Plus, they often make your presentation more memorable – not to mention they’re good for a laugh! (In fact, when I think of props one of the first people to come to mind is American oddball comedian Carrot Top, who is best known for his use of props in his standup routines.)
I came across a great article by John Zimmer, a lawyer, member of the International Geneva Toastmasters Club and the author of the wonderful public speaking blog Manner of Speaking. The article is titled “Ten Tips for Using Props in a Presentation” and in it John includes some wonderful video examples to illustrate his advice.
In summary, the 10 tips for using props in presentations are:
The prop must be relevant to the message.
Make sure the audience can see the prop.
Use the right number of props.
Make sure the prop works.
Have a backup in case the prop doesn’t work.
Be completely comfortable with the prop.
Where possible, keep the prop hidden until you need it.
If you talk about the prop before showing it, build a sense of anticipation before the audience sees it.
Be creative with your props.
Put the prop away when you’re finished with it.
I encourage you to check out the full article, it’s got some great insights and advice, and you’re sure to learn a lot. And while you’re there, do check out the rest of John’s blog as well. One of my favourite Manner of Speaking features is John’s series called “Quotes for Public Speakers.” It’s got some real gems.
So you’ve booked a speaker and signed the contract. Now it’s time for event logistics.
Chances are you’ve already established the location of your event, meeting or conference – but have you put any thought into the setup of the specific room your speaker will be presenting in?
It’s astounding how something as basic as the setup of a room can really affect the success of a presentation. A room’s layout and seating arrangements can determine how interaction will occur: whether it will be one-directional – from the presenter to the audience – or whether it will be multi-directional and interactive, fostering collaborative communication. Other aspects to consider are the audience’s comfort and the ease of accessibility. It is extremely important that you determine the most effective and most appropriate setup for your speaker’s presentation.
The type of event and the size of your audience are two of the main factors to consider. For instance, a keynote presentation for a conference with 1,000 attendees will of course require a different room size and layout than a half-day workshop with only 15 participants.
Here are four of the most common room setups you may want to consider.
Setup No. 1: Theatre Style
The theatre-style setup is most suitable for a speaking event that has a large audience. Think of the theatre-style setup as, well, a theatre. The front of the room features a large stage or platform, and the seating radiates back from the stage in two or three sections of rowed seats. In some cases, the floor of the seating area is slanted so that the rows are more elevated the farther they are from the stage, making it easier for the audience to see.
If you’re holding a large conference or professional speaking event, it’s quite likely your event is being held in an actual theatre, recital hall or conference hall. The nice thing about venues like these is that the setup work is already done for you. However, if you plan on booking an actual theatre or recital hall as your venue, be sure you will have the audience to fill it. These venues are costly and if there are only 100 people in a space that fits 1,000, the event may feel underwhelming and under-attended – even if it is not.
It is also possible to turn a medium- or large-sized room in a conference centre or hotel into your own theatre-style venue by arranging a platform stage and setting up your seating in sectioned rows. Be sure to arrange your chairs so that audience members will have some breathing room, and to make the aisles wide enough so they are easily accessible.
A theatre-style setup best benefits a speaker whose presentation is really a monologue, such as a lecturer or keynote speaker. Having your speaker on stage, illuminated by lights and speaking to a silent and rapt audience, creates the feeling that he is truly a professional who is there to entertain, educate and impart his knowledge. The theatre-style setup lends a feeling of professionalism and formality to your event.
The main drawback of a theatre-style setup is that audience participation is limited. As a result, this setup is not recommended if your intention is to foster discussion and interaction within the audience. The theatre-style setup also makes it difficult for the audience to take notes. So if your speaker’s presentation requires rigorous note taking, you are better off using the classroom-style setup, which is discussed below.
Setup No. 2: Banquet Style
A banquet-style setup is another large group setup that is most often employed when you’re hosting a banquet or a dinner reception. If your speaker is presenting at an event that involves a sit-down dinner, this setup is really the best option. It involves round tables, spread throughout the room, with six to 10 people seated per table. Think about any wedding you’ve attended at a hotel or conference centre – chances are, the reception was laid out in banquet style. The main benefit of banquet-style seating is that it allows you to serve a meal during your speaking event.
But there is also a drawback to banquet-style seating. Because banquet tables tend to be round, usually about half of the people at any given table will have to turn around in their seats if they want to face the speaker. This can be awkward and uncomfortable – especially when you’re trying to eat. However, if you time the event’s proceedings just right – for instance by having some other sort of entertainment, such as music or a DJ, during the main part of the meal – you should be able to arrange things so the speaker’s presentation is not overlapping with the meal.
Setup No. 3: Classroom Style
The classroom-style setup is similar to the theatre-style setup in that they both involve the speaker being at the front of the room, with the audience in rows facing the stage or speaker. The difference though is that the classroom-style setup has the audience sitting at tables.
The main benefits here are that the audience can easily take notes on the presentation and there is room to hand out and make use of reference materials. Another benefit is that the tables allow the audience or participants to enjoy beverages and other refreshments without having to hold them in their hands or on their laps.
This setup can be appropriate for groups of many different sizes, from large groups of a couple of hundred people (think of a lecture hall in a university or college setting) to smaller groups of 30 people or less (think of a high school classroom). The setup encourages a classroom sensibility of learning where audience members will likely feel more comfortable participating and asking questions. As a result, a classroom-style setup is appropriate for lectures or keynote speeches, but is also suitable for more hands-on presentations, such as workshops and training sessions.
Setup No. 4: Boardroom and U-Shape Style
The boardroom-style setup is best for a small group of people. And it is best suited for intimate presentations such as meetings, workshops and training sessions. Most conference centres, event halls and corporate offices have boardrooms available for use, however it’s easy to create your own boardroom in any given space. Boardrooms generally have one long table in the centre of the room, with chairs laid out all around it.
A drawback to a boardroom-style setup is that the boardroom table can sometimes be too long, and people may have trouble seeing, hearing or communicating with the people at the other end of the table. As a result, meeting or workshop participants may feel compelled to interact only with the people at the end of the table that they’re situated.
The U-Shape setup is a variation of the boardroom-style setup. Instead of one long table, arrange three tables in the shape of the letter “U,” and set up chairs around the outer edges of the tables. This way, everyone in attendance will be able to see each other, making it easier to participate, communicate and hold discussions.
In both of these configurations, the speaker will likely want to stand at one end of the room to give their presentation. In the case of the boardroom-style setup, the speaker may want to take one of the short ends of the table for himself, to lay out and organize his presentation materials. In the case of the U-Shape setup, the speaker may want to have her own small table at the top of the “U” for organizational purposes, and she may want to make use of the space in the middle of the “U” to move about during her talk.
If you’re unsure which configuration is most appropriate for your event and for your speaker’s presentation, don’t feel as though you have to make the decision yourself. Professional speakers have plenty of experience presenting in rooms of all shapes, sizes and setups. So be sure to ask your speaker for his or her preference and suggestions.
Stay tuned tomorrow for more tips on preparing your venue. Till next time!
Yesterday we wrote about the benefits of incorporating visual aids into your presentations. Statistics have proven time and again that audiences get the most out of a presentation when it appeals to more than one of their senses. Remember, according to a University of Minnesota study, “presentations using visual aids were found to be 43% more persuasive than unaided presentations.”
Professional speakers have really embraced statistics like this one, and as a result it is extremely rare these days to attend a presentation that has no visual aids. Visual aids have been proven to increase the audience’s understanding of presentation material and to reinforce and clarify your message. With the addition of visuals such as photographs, charts, graphs and videos, the concepts and ideas you speak about are transformed from merely words to an impactful message with a clear takeaway.
Today we’ll provide a brief overview of the two types of visual aids most often employed by professional speakers.
1. Presentation software
Presentation software, beginning with the now ubiquitous PowerPoint, has truly revolutionized the way professional speakers create and give their presentations. Presentation software programs are computer programs that allow you to create slides with customized text and images on them, and to display these slides and their content on screen in the form of a slide show.
There is a multitude of presentation-creation programs currently on the market, some of which you purchase as computer software, and others that are available as online programs – sometimes even for free. Some of the most popular programs today include:
Programs like these have become incredibly popular because of how quick and easy they make it to put together compelling visual material, and how simple it is to display that material to an audience. There really is no better way to present visual information to large crowds.
Your presentation slides can hold and display a wealth of information: from basic title pages for your presentation to bullet-pointed text summarizing your ideas, and from statistics laid out in easy to understand charts and graphs to images and videos that further illustrate and illuminate your subject matter.
Expect more on the ins and outs of presentation software throughout the next couple of weeks.
2. Flip charts or white boards
After the glory of presentation software, visual aids such as flip charts and white boards may seem somewhat less impressive. While they may be less tech-savvy and visually exciting, they do have their own unique purposes and benefits.
First off, flip charts and white boards are hands-on, practical tools. If you are giving a presentation in an intimate setting – perhaps in a workshop with only 10 participants – a big screen and presentation software might seem out of place. For instance, if you’re speaking about creativity and want your audience to shout out examples of where they find inspiration, you may want to jot down the group’s ideas as they come out with them. Typing the ideas into your presentation software so they show up on a screen would likely seem somewhat removed and cold. Plus it just isn’t practical. But using a flip chart or white board to write out the words and phrases being communicated to you allows you to engage and interact with your audience personally – without having a screen between you.
And you can actually still prepare your flip chart ahead of time, as you would do with a slide show. For an example of a presentation given by flip chart, watch the following short video by comedian Demetri Martin, who often employs pre-made flip charts in his presentations – with amusing results.
If you do opt to use either a flip chart or white board as a visual tool in your presentation, be sure to write legibly and with dark-coloured markers to be certain that the audience will be able to read, understand and follow along with the information you’re presenting.
For more tips on presenting with a flip chart, be sure to watch “Top Tips for Using A Flip Chart,” an instructive video created by New Tricks Training, a United Kingdom–based presentation and sales training company, on the secrets to using a flip chart in presentations.
And if you want to be wowed by a whiteboard presentation, watch this video lecture by Dr. Mike Evans titled “23½ hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?” – which was created completely on a white board. While it’s not a live presentation, it is sure to inspire you to utilize a white board in whole new ways.
There are many more ways of incorporating visual aids into your presentations – from creating your own video content to translating relevant statistics into charts and graphs – but we’ll leave off here for today. Check back tomorrow for how to make use of another visual aid: props! Until then.
