Most people would agree that the best presentations are those that actively engage the audience. There is nothing worse than having an audience staring blankly at you while you are trying to present to them. Equally as frustrating, is sitting in the audience and having to listen to a speaker who is boring and mundane. The problem is that most speakers are so concerned with delivering their information correctly that they forget to connect with their audience. Here are a few ways in which you can structure a presentation that is both informative and engaging.
Begin with a fun opener.
Oftentimes presenters search for the perfect quote or ice breaker to open their presentation. The problem is that this can come across and cheesy or forced. Instead, try opening with a more laid back approach that is both fun and informative. For example, use facts or research to begin with a quiz and allow the audience to compete at their tables. If you are presenting about a new product, begin with an interactive demo. Consider options that will make your audience feel as though they are part of the presentation.
Use volunteers from the audience.
Audience members love seeing their colleagues participate in front of the group. As soon as volunteers are called, there is an almost immediate shift in audience attention as they are eager to see what will happen next.
Invite guests via online sources such as webinars and social media.
This can be done either live or before the presentation by allowing audience members to submit questions, comments, or feedback. These submissions can be incorporated into your presentation and are a great way to boost audience engagement both in-person and via the Web.
Allow time for discussion.
This can be done by offering a question and answer segment at the end of the presentation or it can be done by allowing the audience to break up into groups to discuss. Either option makes the audience feel like they’re part of the presentation and gives them an opportunity to ask or answer questions.
Physically engage the audience.
Throughout the presentation there will be plenty of opportunities to ask your audience to physically do things. This can mean asking for a show of hands, asking them to stand, breaking them into groups, etc. All of these actions keep your audience engaged and focused on the presentation while maintaining their attention.
While the content you present is certainly very important, it will be useless if you cannot maintain audience attention. Before your next presentation, take time to plan ways in which you can actively engage your audience. Not only will this make your presentation more interesting, but it will make the delivery memorable and enjoyable for the whole crowd.