We live in the age of PowerPoint and while I do think that having this accessible software to make visual presentations has livened up many a boring speech, I also think that presenters have a tendency to become completely dependent on their visual aids and this makes for boring presentations too. If you home business operations call for you to make presentations, it is important to remember that visual aids do not substitute for a dynamic speaker…
PowerPoint, videos, DVDs, and other options can make for wonderful, memorable sales and informational presentations. As a matter of fact, we have most of us come to expect some colorful visuals when we attend a presentation. But, good visuals are not an excuse for bad speaking. I think that it is important to use the visuals as an “extra” to support the live verbal presentation and this means that the speaker must still put some effort and energy into being dynamic and clear.
The best presentations I’ve been too have had a good balance—the PowerPoint wasn’t on the entire time and the speaker did NOT stand with his or her back to the audience using a laser pointer on the wall during the whole presentation. Alternating visual aids with direct public speaking is good, as is using only part of the presentation time for the visual aids. Additionally, speakers who are able to move and get close to the audience (without impairing vision for anyone) makes for more dynamic speakers—with too much visual aid equipment in the front of the room this can make movement impossible and create an obvious barrier between the audience and the speaker.
The next time you are called upon to make a presentation, or if you make presentations as part of your home business, keep the visual aids in check and make sure they enhance and not overshadow the purpose of your presentations.
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