Using visual aids and props to give more powerful presentations

Visual aids and props can go a long way to lend interest and depth to your presentation. Many people are very visual in nature. “Did you see that!” Audiences tend to remember visually presented information with greater clarity and detail. If you’re still a little nervous, a little “accessory” will help you keep your hands “busy”, so you can avoid a series of unconscious “nervous habits”. Some props and visual aids that I have found useful during my presentations include these elements.

small stuffed animals

I have used “Winnie the Pooh”, “Tigger” and “Piglet” more times than I can count. I have also used “generic” stuffed rabbits, frogs, puppies, and mice with success. Be creative and imaginative in coming up with ways to use them to help make your point and your audience will eat it up.

brochures

Brochures are still an effective means of keeping your audience in tow. Use them to reinforce your main points, as an outline for your audience to follow along with your presentation, and as additional information they can take away. If you have additional services or a product to offer, be sure to include a flyer as part of your distribution package. In fact, I’ve had seminar attendees almost literally fight over the pamphlets, climbing over each other in their quest to get the packet of pamphlets.

Photographs

Photographs are great visual aids: When I recently gave presentations to a group of fellow teachers, I included slides that not only quoted some of them, but also used a photo of them. In another presentation, I used a collage of photos to illustrate the upcoming themes and themes of my presentation. One of my most memorable “Thank you for coming” slides featured a collage of photos I had previously taken of people in the audience. Needless to say, it turned out pretty well.

Tables and graphs

Charts and graphs put verbal information into a visual form that is much easier for the audience to digest and remember. They can also add a more colorful dimension to your presentation’s key statistics and data.

demos

Still, don’t miss the opportunity to include a short demo in your presentation. Use volunteers from the audience, mini-contests, etc. to deeply engage attendees in your presentation. It will be even more memorable not only for them, but also for their fellow attendees. Ask them to make a brief comment, tell an experience, or offer a relevant anecdote during their presentation. Ask for volunteers, “Has anyone had an experience with…” or “Has this ever happened to anyone here?” I always get at least a couple of eager volunteers. They sure can liven things up.

Video

Video is a wonderful tool that is being included more and more in all kinds of presentations. Digital video clips do not need to be long or excessively large and can be inserted into a Power Point slide. These include full color, motion, and sound to introduce, illustrate, or elaborate on a key point. Their use should be controlled, if not limited, as they can cause “glitches” if the equipment you are using is not yours. A differently configured computer can wreak havoc on your carefully crafted presentation.

don’t ignore the sound

Do not neglect the sound in your presentations either. Some ideas include using a bell, whistle, rattle, kazoo, slide whistle, flute, rhythmic drumsticks, or some other small noise maker. Save the Klaxon horns and foghorns for New Year’s Eve. Sound can be used as cues for attention, cues on slides or activities, or for audience participation: “Now when the bell rings, everyone say…

Use more audiovisual aids and accessories in your presentations. You’ll also have more attendees coming up after your presentation to shake your hand and say, “Thank you, I really enjoyed your presentation.”