6 ways to engage an audience | PowerPoint presentation tips
Next time you’re preparing to deliver a presentation… ask yourself – If you were an audience member, what would you want to get out of the presentation?
Here are my top six ways you to ensure your audience is better engaged during your presentation.
1. Ask a Question
Before you start your presentation, a great way to grab your audience’s attention and get them thinking is by asking them a question. Involve the audience and be ready to provide the answers at the end of your talk.
2. Include a Video
A fantastic way to grab an audience’s attention is by including a short video BUT make sure it’s relevant and either motivational, informative, instructive or persuasive (depending on your talk). It’s important that it is of a high-quality graphic and that the format and design match the overall tone and message of your presentation.
3. Use Images
If you want your audience to stay focused and remember what you are saying, then start by cutting down on the amount of text you use and use more visuals. Having little text encourages an audience to listen to the presenter and the images heighten their imagination. And remember, our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text!
4. Encourage Participation
Another simple but effective way to engage an audience is to poll them or ask a “raise your hand question” either at the start or at some point in your presentation. eg. “Raise your hand if you have ever attempted this yourself”? or “Raise your hand if you agree with the statement that I just made”?
5. Use Humour
You can include witty comments in your presentation to make your audience laugh, but be careful not to step on anyone’s toes!
6. Tell a Story
A good story can grab your audience’s attention and make the presentation far more memorable. Remember that the human race has been telling stories since the beginning of time so if you can present your information as if you were telling a story, you can be assured of a successful presentation.
You will know your presentation has been successful if your audience is –
• making eye contact with you, asking questions, nodding their heads in agreement with what you are saying, participating in conversation, thanking you in the end and actually telling you they enjoyed your presentation.
I’d like to end with a quote by John Medina, a biologist with a special interest in brain development. He summed it up beautifully when he said – “The brain doesn’t pay attention to boring things.”
Full blog available here:
www.slidesho.com.au/6-ways-to-engage-an-audience-when-presenting-a-powerpoint-presentation/
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