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Make An Impact: Seven Ways To
'Wow' Your Audience With Visual Aids


By ROB SHERMAN

If you want your next presentation to be a success, visual aids are a must. Whether you’re presenting your operations budget to the board of directors or doing a sales presentation to a key client, your audience members need visuals in order to better comprehend and retain your information. Even if you are a polished speaker who can mesmerize people and hold their attention for hours, using visual aids will add greater impact and raise your credibility.
Why are visuals so important? These days, we live in a visual age. Your message is competing with MTV, Disney, and all the best Hollywood has to offer. Your visual aids will enable you to stand out and keep your listeners focused on you.
Fortunately, visual aids don’t have to be expensive or elaborate to be effective. Anyone can create and use cost-effective visual aids that will provide value to the audience. Below are the most common visual aids successful speakers use.

1. Handouts
Sometimes less is more, and a simple handout is the perfect example. Handouts are the most common visual aid and one of the most effective. They’re easy to produce and distribute, and audience members can keep them for future use.
If you’re fearful of passing out handouts because you believe your audience will read ahead and not pay attention to what you’re saying, consider a “fill-in-the-blank” handout that requires your listeners to actively follow along. Another idea is to use shades of colored paper for multiple handouts. It’s then easy to say, “Look at your yellow handout.”
However, you must know your audience and your environment. A group of CEOs may balk at a fill-in-the-blank handout. And a five-page handout during a dinner event will probably go untouched.

2. Flip Charts
Flip charts rank high on a speaker’s list of visual tools. They’re a great way to make your point to a large group of people without the expense and clutter of handouts. In order to use your flip chart effectively, keep your writing to the top two-thirds of the sheet for easy viewing, use extra thick black or blue markers, add red or green markers for emphasis only, and don’t use too many words per page.

3. Overhead Projectors
For years the overhead projector has been the workhorse of the industry. Even with the increased use of LCD projectors, the overhead is still used in many diverse types of venues. And thanks to dry-erase markers, transparencies can be used over and over again, making them a cost-effective alternative to flip charts.

4. Slide Shows
If you’re conducting a large meeting or one that requires your audience to view photos, a slide show adds a powerful impact. Additionally, the quality of color transparencies can add a professional touch to your presentation.
When using a slide show projector, place the screen for the overhead or slide projector on the right or left side of the platform or room. The center is reserved for the feature attraction: you!

5. Props and Demonstrations
Many speakers who are presenting material of a serious nature are fearful of boring their audience or appearing too pushy during a meeting. On the other hand, they’re also fearful that by “lightening the mood” they’ll take away from the topic’s importance. However, when you incorporate props and/or demonstrations into your presentation, you add a great focal point that can impact your message louder than words. As a side benefit, you get to lighten the mood without de-emphasizing the seriousness of your speech.
There’s no doubt that using props can be risky, but their effect can be long lasting. Why not have a little fun with “dry” presentations? You’ll be remembered!

6. LCD Projectors
The lowered cost and increased clarity of LCD projectors have enhanced their popularity with professional speakers. The computer-driven projector turns an overhead into an animated, colorful visual display. When combined with presentation software, the possibilities are as varied as your imagination.
However, don’t allow the animated display to be the tail that wags the dog. The graphics should illustrate your point, not steal the show.

7. Image Magnification
If you’re speaking to a very large group, you may want to have your image projected on a big screen. This enables every audience member to see you clearly and connect with you. Be aware, however, that these big screens make you appear “larger than life,” and audience members will closely scrutinize your every move.

Final Points
When using visuals with text printed on them, most speakers stick to fewer than 10 words per graphic. The rule of thumb is to limit the amount of information to what you would place on a sweatshirt. Use too much and you may overwhelm your audience.
No matter which visual aids you decide to use, remember to talk before showing it. Think of it as saying, “That’s my point. Now I want to show you the evidence.” Above all else, remember to never just say it; let your audience see it too.

Rob Sherman is an attorney, speaker, and author of “Sherman’s 21 Laws of Speaking: How to Inspire Others to Action.” You can receive free presentation and negotiation tips twice a month by subscribing to Sherman’s Executive Communicator at www.ShermanLeadership.com. Contact Sherman at RobSherman@ShermanLeadership.com.

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