You can make a presentation fun even if the topic isn't the most exciting in the world. Here are some tips to make your next presentation fun for you and your audience.
Steps
Step 1. Before planning the fun aspects, plan the basics
- As obvious as it seems to say, curating the topic of your presentation is important. Make sure you understand why you are presenting and what goals you want to have achieved in the end.
- Ask yourself the fundamental questions to help you understand. Why is this presentation important? What will you tell your audience that they don't already know? If you were in the audience watching this presentation, what would make it important for you to hear it? New information? New ideas? The more answers you can give to these questions, the better your presentation will be.
- If the topic is undeniably boring, one of the best things you can do for your audience is to admit it. Often, as a result, you will see them visibly relax. You can do it with humor: "I know you competed to run here to hear me introduce you to the wonders of proper filing procedures …", or you can just say, "Trust me, I know it's not that exciting, but I will try to make this time pleasant for you."
Step 2. Engage your audience
Listening to someone talking for 20 minutes isn't fun. You're giving the presentation, but that doesn't mean your audience just has to listen to you. The public always appreciates being involved.
- Ask questions. Encourage the audience to actively think about the presentation topic. Ask "Anyone have any questions?" he is polite, but often one encounters silence! Try to ask open-ended questions, such as, "What is the most difficult or frustrating aspect of this new software for you?".
- Choose someone to read for you. Pick random people to read the slides or explain a point.
- You already know that some listeners will be distracted, bored or critical of your presentation, right? These are the people you most need to involve. Think ahead of how you might interact with these people. You could ask them to help you during the exposure. You could call them the day before to ask them to ask a few questions during the presentation.
- The larger the audience, the more difficult it can seem to you to engage people. Ask your audience to think about how your presentation topic applies to them personally. Ask sobering questions. Even if your audience is too large for everyone to respond, you will make them think.
- If you are on stage, there is nothing to stop you from getting off and walking through the audience while giving your presentation. Sometimes the university professors surprise the class by starting to speak from the back of the room. Nobody falls asleep in the back row in these cases.
Step 3. Surprise your audience
Think back to a presentation you attended and really enjoyed. Chances are it wasn't the subject matter, but the fact that the presenter did something you had never seen before at such an event. Maybe he had a unique style and approached the subject in a new and interesting way. If you want your presentation to be sparkling and fun, surprise your audience. Here are some ideas you can take inspiration from:
- Use music as an introduction or during your presentation. Add music files to your PowerPoint slides or use your iPod / iPhone.
- Show fun YouTube videos to illustrate a point in your presentation. Funny commercials or a few scenes from movies or TV shows can work well to reinforce a look in a fun way.
- Ask questions and offer small prizes for correct answers. It's fascinating to see what people in the audience can do to win a chocolate bar. You can also hand out candies or chocolates at the beginning.
- Write the questions you want the audience to answer on slips of paper, put them in a container, and have people randomly draw them. You can also put the notes under the armchairs or hide them and ask the public to find them.
- If you need to distribute reading material, try to hide it in another room and have the audience find it. Or, choose two people to distribute it to everyone in your place, complimenting them and thanking them (hint: this is a great way to engage the most distracted members of the audience).
- Who says your presentation should take place in your office? Go out and sit outside in the sun. Have the audience move to a different room every 5 minutes. Turn off the lights and give the presentation by candlelight. If your company's presentations usually always take place in the meeting room, lead yours into the dining room. Remove all chairs and seat the audience on the floor. Wear a superhero mask or suit. There is no limit!
Step 4. The more you think about making your presentation engaging and amazing, the more fun it will be
Advice
- If you've seen funny introductions made by other people, ask them for advice. Skilled presenters usually gladly share their ideas and time and will be happy to help you.
- If you are lucky enough to have people in the audience asking questions or answering yours, thank them warmly for doing so.
- Regardless of how fun your presentation may be, it's hard for your audience to focus if it's too cold, too hot, or if they're visibly tired before starting. Before starting the presentation, check the thermostats in the room and make sure the temperature is pleasant. If the audience seems tired, encourage them to get up and stretch, or suggest that they take a 2-minute break so they can go to the toilet, have a coffee or get some fresh air. If possible and appropriate for the situation, try to have water and snacks available for the public.
