Can you imagine watching a speech about a diesel engine without a visual aid? Can you imagine listening to a speech on music therapy without music? Can you imagine watching a speech on fad diets with elaborate posters, book covers, and health products displayed and the speaker not discussing the images during the presentation?
The most successful speakers in America today use images in their presentations: Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Tony Robbins, to name a few. But for many speakers, a picture is an afterthought. Some speakers fail to create a striking image. Some speakers do not practice their speech with a visual aid. We live in a visual generation. Today’s public hearings pay more attention to images. High-quality images are essential for success in public speaking. Here are my top 10 strategies for using visuals in presentations:
1. Brainstorm: Brainstorm all the types of visual aids that could be used for your speech. Try researching Google.images during your brainstorm.
2. Don’t forget about the impact: As you prepare your speech, ask yourself the question: Would the use of the selected image increase the impact of my speech on the audience?
3. Reference Images – Reference your image during your speech. I have heard many speeches where the speaker prepared a great visual aid but did not refer to it during the presentation.
4. Learn Presentation Technology: Become. familiar with new technology. For example, the use of PowerPoint slides can improve the quality of many types of presentations.
5. Be professional: Nothing is worse than a hastily developed poster or poorly organized brochure. The quality of your credibility as a speaker can be greatly enhanced by a professional image.
6. Practice, practice, practice your speech using the visual aid. Practicing with the visual aid will help you decide how much time to spend on the visual aid and whether the visual aid adds or detracts from your presentation.
7. Avoid Too Much Images: Don’t go overboard with visual aids. Too many images can detract from the presentation of your ideas and can waste valuable speaking time.
8. Avoid distractions: Do not pass visual aids around the audience during the presentation. Passing a brochure or physical object around the audience is distracting and invites side conversations.
9. Add Color – Use color in your visual aids. Color increases audience interest and increases the quality of your presentation.
10. Use visuals: Remember that for each topic of the speech there is a possible visual aid.
Visual aids can enliven any presentation. The old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words is often true. Research shows that using professional images will increase your credibility as a speaker and help your audience retain your information.