Strategies to create a memorable and powerful presentation.
People remember 20% of what they hear…and 30% of what they see…but 50% of what they hear and see in combination. Here are some strategies to make your presentation even more memorable.
Don’t tinker with PowerPoint…Yet
Resist the urge to tinker with PowerPoint before your main content is developed. PowerPoint is fun to work with, but can eat up valuable work time. Focus on your content first by developing an outline or script to support your topic.
Use high-impact graphics
Use high-impact graphics in your presentation rather than clip-art to project the most professional image.
Be conservative and consistent with your visuals
Design for your audience. Just because PowerPoint has lots of fun effects, fonts, and transitions doesn’t mean they all need to be used in your show.
Go beyond bullets
Music, video, and animations (all with appropriate rights clearance) can all help make your message more memorable. Beware…multimedia clips may not play correctly on all PCs.
Use a cordless mouse/laser pointer
These nifty controllers un-tether you from the computer and get you into the audience…where good presenters belong. One top performer is the RF presenter, which works from over 100 feet away and includes a laser pointer.
Use humor in your presentation
Laugher helps to keep your audience more alert, involved, and inspired. For best results, use humor from your own life experiences…not from canned jokes or one-liners.
Think of your presentation as a theatrical performance
Think of your presentation as a theatrical performance. Audience interaction, a compelling intro and memorable conclusion, and frequent eye-contact can help fine-tune your talk.
Keep your visuals moving
Don’t stay on the same slide for more than 60 seconds. If you have a bulleted list, provide more breathing space and create more momentum by splitting the points over several slides.
Use a cordless mouse/laser pointer
Use a cordless mouse/laser pointer. These nifty controllers un-tether you from the computer and get you into the audience…where good presenters belong. One top performer is the RF presenter, which works from over 100 feet away and includes a laser pointer.
Dress up and look confident
A great amount of what is communicated in a presentation is actually conveyed non-verbally. The clothes you wear and the gestures you use all have an impact on how your message comes across.
Rehearse
Rehearse and be prepared. Check spelling. Practice using your visuals. Know your content well enough to carry on if your computer crashes!
