Avoid Death by Powerpoint: How to make your presentation more interesting
Public speaking and presentations are integrated into many aspects of our lives today. Starting in high school we are asked to give presentations in front of the class. This continues into college and it doesn’t stop there. Many times, you will be asked to give a presentation for your job. How do we normally do this? Microsoft PowerPoint after PowerPoint. While this is a great tool, it can become a little monotonous. The good news is there are a few ways you can shake your presentation up a bit. Forbes Magazine wrote an article about a few of these easy tips.
- Use a different medium
While Microsoft PowerPoint is great software, there are many systems other than PowerPoint that offer presentation templates. Google Slides and Prezi are both free presentation creators that offer a different look. It might seem unfamiliar at first, but with practice, they are easy to use. - Use Props
Using props allow your audience to engage in another sense. Instead of just talking about an object, physically show the audience what you’re talking about. Let them pass it around. Pass out an outline of your presentation or a pamphlet that’s relevant. This helps them understand you better as well as keeps them engaged in what you’re speaking about. - Get Your Audience Involved
Sitting and listening to a lecture can get boring after a while. It’s easy to get distracted and not listen to what is being talked about. Don’t just talk at your audience, ask them questions. Ask them to feel out a worksheet as you go along. Get them invested in what you are trying to say. This makes your presentation feel more like a two-way conversation rather than a lecture. - Play Music or a Video
People have an emotional response to music. Putting your presentation to some light music can help your audience feel more emotionally invested in what you’re speaking about. If there is a quick video that helps explain your speaking points, don’t be afraid to throw that in there too. This gives you a second to catch your breath and break up the speaking. - Practice
The saying “practice makes perfect” holds true when it comes to public speaking. Even if it’s for a small audience, standing in front of a room full of people can be intimidating. Practice your speaking points so they are familiar when it comes to presentation time. Ask friends to listen to you and get their feedback. Tweak your speaking points until they feel comfortable to you and flow. However, try not to script everything you say as it sounds rehearsed.
Try to incorporate these easy tips into your next presentation and see if you get a different response. Get creative and find some fun ways of your own to give your presentation some flare!