How to Use Lighting and Audio Properly During a Presentation

Setting the stage for your presentation might seem like an uncomplicated task compared to creating the content. However, the success of the presentation delivery depends greatly on those sometimes overlooked details like lighting and sound. Those eye catching slides and interesting narrative will lose their impact without the right microphone, lectern, and stage lights. Consider the following tips for choosing a stage setup that will enhance the effectiveness of your next presentation. 

Use Appropriate Lighting

Stage lighting is often the most forgotten element of a presentation, yet it can have a huge impact on the outcome of your presentation. After all, it will be difficult for your audience to connect with you if they can’t see you. There are several things to consider when choosing your lighting options. For starters, what time of day will you be giving your presentation? Will it be during the day when sunlight will be beaming through the windows or will it be at night when it’s dark outside? Also, are there windows in the room at all or will there be only artificial lighting? You want to take these factors into consideration to ensure there is adequate lighting on the speaker at all times. You certainly don’t want audience members in the back struggling to see the presenter’s face. Eye contact and body language are powerful communication tools so it is imperative that the speaker can be seen by everyone in the audience. 

Make Sure Audio is Loud and Clear

In addition to proper lighting, quality sound also contributes to the effectiveness of your presentation. Despite how prepared you are and how elaborate the presentation is, it will lose its impact if the audience cannot hear. If the audience has to struggle to hear, they will immediately lose interest. Furthermore, it can cause the speaker to lose their credibility. The right amount of audio is critical to delivering a powerful message. 

Choose the Right Microphone and Speakers

There are various types of microphones available so the speaker needs to choose which style best suits them. Some speakers prefer a hands-free lavalier microphone which allows them to move their hands and move about the room freely. Others prefer the comfort of a hand-held microphone that they can raise or lower according to their speaking habits. In order to choose the right type of microphone, speakers should practice using each so they can decide which one is right for them. 

Conduct a Rehearsal

Just as a speaker practices and rehearses their presentation, you should also rehearse the lighting and audio. Check to ensure that all of your lighting and audio equipment is working properly prior to the presentation. Test the sound and make sure that the audio can be heard from all areas of the room and practice speaking into the microphone so you can adjust the volume accordingly. You also want to test your computer to ensure the audio is working properly for your slideshow.