One way to really make your presentations shine, especially if you’re dealing with a technologically savvy topic, is to use some of the latest gadgets and gizmos available to prop up your overall message. You’d be surprised how much easier and more efficient certain topics are to talk about if you have some extras keeping the flow of the presentation going smoothly.
Specifically, you want to get the presentation format tightened down first, then pick which gadgets you’re going to use, make sure transitions are seamless, record and review how your performance is going to go, and then use the feedback to adjust and keep repeating gas necessary.
Get the Presentation Format Right First
Without proper knowledge of how presentations work, though, no matter what gadgets you throw into the mix, the whole thing can turn into a disappointing mess. So, before you go adding technology to the equation, be sure to just have the content and structure of your presentation down pat first. This may take a few weeks of heavy reading to really get the details well-formed in your mind, but the effort will be well worth it.
Choose Your Gadgets Wisely
Now, which gadgets do you intend on using? Perhaps a phone or a tablet to control various visuals? Or maybe some type of a lighting controller based on MIDI signals, or even audio-responsive gear? Decide what types of technology are going to fit within your presentation structure that help the focus (you’re not trying to distract people, here) and then choose the ones that make the most sense for your medium, your audience, and your ultimate goal or intent.
Test the Flow
And now that you have your format set, your content ready, and your gadgets chosen, it’s time to see if you can stitch them all together into something cohesive. The wrong time to test all of these things together is while you’re in front of your final audience. That is the stuff of nightmares, where everything that can go wrong – will.
Record and Review the Result
So, during a practice session, record yourself doing your presentation, and then review the result. You may get to practice a particular speech or proposal a dozen times before you’re entirely comfortable with the way that it comes out. The more practice, the better, and the more time you have to troubleshoot your equipment as well.
Adjust and Carry On Smartly
After you have recorded and reviewed your set piece, adjust the parts that don’t fit. Tighten down the unnecessary details. Figure out how to inject energy into the important parts. Add more details in if you feel like the audience may be left with questions. And keep doing this until you’re as close to perfect as you can get.