When it comes to presentations, less is more. A recent study found that the average audience can only retain 50% of what they hear in a presentation after 10 minutes. Not surprisingly, this means people are better off listening and taking notes than watching slides simultaneously.
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What is Screen Sharing?
Screen sharing is video and audio-conferencing software that allows you to show live content on your computer screen. The content will be projected on the other person’s screen. Screen Sharing is often used for training purposes or for presenting a slideshow but can also be helpful during meetings to share documents or presentations.
How Can Screen Sharing Be Used in Presentations?
There are a few ways that screen sharing can be used in presentations:
- To share documents or slides with the audience.
- To allow the audience to see what you are doing on your computer, such as typing or drawing on a whiteboard.
- To show a video or website to the audience.
- To allow the audience to ask questions and participate in the presentation.
What are Some Tips for Using Screen Sharing in Presentations?
Here are a few tips for using screen sharing in your next presentation:
- Make sure your computer is fully charged and has a strong internet connection.
- Project your voice clearly and ensure that the microphone is working correctly.
- If you use slides, make sure they are easy to read and follow.
- Avoid reading off of your slides; instead, engage with the audience.
- Keep your presentation short and to the point.
- End on a strong note and leave time for questions from the audience.
- Be aware of your surroundings and who or what is behind you.
- Practice your presentation beforehand to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Screen sharing can be a powerful tool for presentations, but it is vital to use it wisely. By following the tips above, you can create an engaging and interactive presentation that will keep your audience’s attention.
Why Less is More When it Comes to Presentations?
There are a few reasons why less is more when it comes to presentations. For one, audiences can only remember a limited amount of information.
Additionally, when people watch slides and listen to the presenter simultaneously, they’re not paying attention to either one entirely. Finally, lengthy presentations can be boring and overwhelming for audiences.
Instead of packing in as much information as possible into your presentation, try focusing on delivering your key points clearly and concisely. Use visuals sparingly, and make sure your slides are easy to read and understand.
If you need to provide more information, consider including a handout or sending participants a link to a website after the presentation.
By keeping your presentations short and sweet, you’ll ensure that your audience is paying attention and retaining the information you’re sharing.
Tips for Making Your Presentation Engaging and Interactive
To make your presentation engaging and interactive, try following these tips:
- Start with a story: People are more likely to pay attention when starting your presentation with a story.
- Use visuals sparingly: Too many visuals can distract and take away from your key points.
- Make your slides easy to read and understand: Don’t use too much text or complex graphics on your slides.
- Ask questions: A great way to keep audiences engaged is to ask them questions throughout the presentation.
- Get participants involved: Encourage participants to share their thoughts and ideas, and use interactive exercises to get them up out of their seats.
- Finish with a summary: Summarise the key points of your presentation and leave participants with something to think about.
- Consider a screen sharing software: With a professional screen sharing software you will be able to make your presentation look good without any special effort.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create presentations that are both engaging and interactive.
How to Prepare Your Audience Before You Speak?
Before giving a presentation, it’s essential to make sure that your audience is prepared. Here are a few tips for getting your audience ready:
- Send participants a list of topics or questions covered in the presentation beforehand.
- Provide background information about the topic or subject matter so that people understand what will be discussed.
- Make sure participants know what you expect from them during the presentation (e.g., asking questions, taking notes, etc.).
- Remind participants to arrive on time and to silence their cell phones.
- Preview the presentation material yourself so that you’re familiar with the content and can answer any questions that participants may have.
By preparing your audience before you speak, you’ll ensure that they’re ready and engaged for your presentation.
What Not to Do in a Presentation?
When giving a presentation, it’s essential to avoid doing the following:
- Reading from your slides: Don’t read word-for-word from your slides; instead, use them as a guide and refer to them as needed.
- Speaking too quickly: Make sure you speak slowly and clearly so that everyone can understand you.
- Ignoring audience feedback: If participants ask questions or share their thoughts, make sure you take the time to address them.
- Rambling on and on: If you find yourself going off on a tangent, pause and ask yourself if it’s relevant to the presentation.
- Being confrontational: Avoid being confrontational with participants, and be respectful of everyone’s opinions.
- Focusing on yourself: Make sure you focus on the audience and not yourself, and avoid using excessive hand gestures or facial expressions.
By avoiding these common presentation mistakes, you’ll make sure that your presentation is compelling and engaging.
How to Handle Questions From the Audience?
What is the best way to deal with difficult questions from the audience?
- Should I redirect questions back to my presentation slides?
- How do you answer a question about your organisation’s mission statement that’s unrelated to anything else in the rest of your presentation?
- When is the best time to take a question from the audience?
When giving a presentation, it’s essential to be prepared for questions from the audience. Here are a few tips for handling difficult questions:
- Take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering. This will give you time to formulate a response that makes sense.
- Avoid being defensive and try to answer the question honestly.
- If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t try to make something up. Simply say that you don’t know and offer to find out the answer after the presentation.
- If the question is unrelated to anything else in your presentation, politely apologise and explain that you’re not able to answer the question.
- If you feel like the question is being asked in a hostile or confrontational manner, take a deep breath and answer the question calmly.
- If there’s time at the end of your presentation, allow participants to ask questions one at a time. This will help ensure that everyone has a chance to ask a question.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to handle difficult questions from the audience with ease.
Conclusion
Giving a presentation can be nerve-wracking, but you’ll ensure that your presentation is successful by following these tips. Remember to:
- Send participants a list of topics or questions covered in the presentation beforehand.
- Provide background information about the topic or subject matter so that people understand what will be discussed.
- Make sure participants know what you expect from them during the presentation (e.g., asking questions, taking notes, etc.).
- Preview the presentation material yourself so that you’re familiar with the content and can answer any questions that participants may have.
By preparing your audience before you speak, you’ll ensure that they’re ready and engaged for your presentation. And by avoiding common presentation mistakes, you’ll make sure that your presentation is effective and engaging. Good luck!