Maximizing Your Presentation’s Impact

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(enthusiastic music) How do you maximize your presentation's impact? You'll need to tailor your onstage surroundings, be persuasive, give the audience some takeaway items to consider and use additional techniques. Let's go over each of these in detail. Setting up your stage is a crucial step to being a successful public speaker. Design the stage much like you would a favorite room in your house. You need to feel comfortable while being on stage or in front of the room, wherever you're giving your presentation. Use a podium that's equipped with a laptop computer and a place for a pad of paper where you can keep and take notes. Think of this podium as your home base. It's where you can use your computer, take notes and have a drink of water. The rest of the time during the presentation, you should be moving around the stage or the whole room. Of course, the computer podium needs to be connected to a projector, and the projector needs to display your imagery onto a big screen located behind you and anywhere else in the room where screens are located. Make sure to check that all the tech works before you start your presentation. Have two easels and flip charts on the left and right side of the stage. Both should be equipped with plenty of multi-colored pens and paper. The flip chart paper needs to be able to stick to surfaces so that when you're done writing, you can stick your flip chart notes on the walls. Some venues don't allow this, so make sure to determine how and where you can post your completed flip chart notes. Once all the pieces are in place and the stage is set, write welcome notes on both flip chart pads. Use bold letters and lots of color. Always keep the first two pages on the flip charts blank so that you can keep your charts private until you're ready to begin. If you're putting predeveloped make sure that you leave a blank page beneath each completed one because ink typically runs through to the following page. Also, write in large letters for maximum visibility. Tag each predeveloped flip chart page with sticky notes or tape to create easy-to-find tabs. This makes referencing each page during a presentation easier. Finally, have a large and welcoming graphic projected onto the screen. Once attendees start arriving, turn on the projected welcome message and display the same messages on the flip charts. Getting the room ready this way not only serve to make you feel comfortable, but it also shows your audience how prepared you are. This illustrates to the audience that you care about the topic being presented, and they'll take note of this and feel more comfortable asking detailed questions. There will also be a greater level of interaction between you. Receiving questions from your audience may seem intimidating, but this will create the atmosphere of a much more engaging experience. If they see that you're not well-prepared, they may save their comments and critique for the after-presentation survey. It's best to have two-way communication while the presentation is taking place. You may be wondering why I use flip charts when I have a computer and a projector? The answer is because you need to take time and write down the points the audience makes. By writing down their ideas and suggestions, you're acknowledging the importance of their thoughts and comments, which will make them feel validated and more likely to participate. If the audience has a question, and you aren't ready to address it, or you don't have an immediate answer, you use the flip charts to write down their question. And remember to address them at the end of the presentation. When you write the question down, confirm with them that you got it right. Again, you're acknowledging your audience and showing them that you care about their questions, thoughts and suggestions. As an additional note, walking over to the flip chart easels helps you get out from behind the podium and walk around the stage. If the venue is large, connect a wireless microphone to your clothing and make sure to do a sound check before anyone arrives. But if the venue is small to medium-sized, don't use a microphone because it can be a bit intrusive and seem impersonal. Wherever you're speaking, make sure that your voice projects well.