Creative Presentation Ideas

You may wish to argue that this does not belong in the realm of creative presentation ideas. But, bear with me a a few moments while we explore the idea of making a better presentation by leaving the hardware at home. And, especially leaving the projector at home.

No doubt you've seen them, too. Those presentations or speeches that went astray because the presenter relied too much on his overheads or computer-generated slide-show. Let's review some of the problems that occur as a result of using technology to enhance the words coming out of our mouths.

First, we as presenter often give more attention to the overheads or slides than the audience. It can't be helped. You know the drill here, too, whether from personal experience making a presentation, or from watching others give less than perfect dog and pony shows. If you have to figure out the advance button or place an overhead on a projector, you've taken your attention off the audience.

Second, while doing those things, we not only give attention to the technology, but we also lose eye contact with the audience. And, the audience spends a lot of time looking at the screen, rather than at us. Loss of eye contact really does take away from the effectiveness of any good presentation.

Third, we're also focusing on technical issues, rather than the content of our speech. So, we may be wondering which slide will come up next, rather than focusing on the audience reaction, and adapting to that reaction on the fly.

Fourth, if you use slides or graphics, you probably put in too much material. Here's a tip on how to give a good presentation, from Toastmasters: Less is more. Don't try to explain everything, just pick one aspect of the issue and explain it well - a speech is not a book or a written article! More creative presentation ideas.

Fifth, if you use an overhead projector, face the fact that it gets between you and the audience. Quite simply, a projector can be a more powerful presence at the front of the room than you.

Personally, I prefer to just get up and speak in almost all situations. It's so much easier. A colleague recently asked if we should use overheads or slides when we do some upcoming presentations together. I expressed my opinion firmly. Need I say what that was?

If you do plan to use overheads or slides, be sure to use them in a supporting role. They should work for you, making your job easier; you deliver the message, and the slides reinforce what you say.

Summing up, I think ditching your projector or computer-generated graphics does fit solidly in the realm of creative presentation ideas. Technology comes between you and the audience in a number of ways, and in most cases your presentation will be better without them.

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