How to project confidence - Make your slides work for you
From Avoiding the Slide Trap to Commanding the Room: Strategic Use of Slides
What is more boring than a speaker reading their slides? A speaker who discovers their slides as they read them!
Imagine this: You walk to the screen for your presentation to the board. The stakes are high, and you worked on your data slides late into the night. You put up the first content slide, ready to start delivering your analysis, when you notice that the audience seems more interested in their smartphones than you. The reason? They've been subjected to too many presentations where the speaker simply read off their slides. You, of course, weren't going to do that, but nothing indicated otherwise to them.
Now, think about the last time you witnessed a truly engaging presentation. What made it stand out? The chances are that the speaker wasn't just reading from the slides. They were in control, commanding attention and incorporating their slides seamlessly into their narrative. To project confidence: make your slides work for you, not the other way around.
The Slide Trap: Using Slides as Memory Aids
We've all seen it happen. A speaker clicks to the next slide, pauses, reads it aloud, and then starts elaborating on it. Not only is it slow-paced, but it gives the impression that you are not as familiar with your content as you should be.
The Power of the Reveal
Hint to your slide
Here's where you can turn things around. Instead of letting your slides dictate the pace, why not take control? One effective technique is to hint at the content of your next slide before showing it. This approach accomplishes two things: it keeps the audience engaged and shows that you know your material inside out.
Imagine saying, "Now, if we look at the key metric of engagement," just before you reveal a compelling graph that supports your point. This builds anticipation and positions you as the master of your presentation, not a mere commentator.
Prompt your audience
This also has a hidden magical effect: it lowers the time the audience needs to process your next slide. By prompting the content before actually showing it, your audience already has a mental picture and does not need so much time to understand what is on the screen next.
In the previous example, the listeners already knew you would show a graph of the engagement metric, and thus, they can readily focus on the graph itself instead of needing to figure out what it is about.
Simplify to Amplify
Show Just the Right Information
Revealing is only part of the story: consider the design of your slides. Overloaded slides with loads of text, numbers, and images can be distracting. Instead, aim for simplicity and clarity. Use minimal text and high-impact visuals. A clean, well-designed slide can serve as a powerful backdrop to your message, reinforcing your points without overshadowing them.
Furthermore, you will appear articulate and concise when using minimalistic slides with just the right information. On the contrary, using visuals loaded with irrelevant data gives the impression of being vague and imprecise.
Leverage Additive Reveal
Another technique you can use is progressive disclosure. By revealing information bit by bit, you maintain control over the flow of information, keeping the audience's attention firmly on you.
Doing so gives your audience the building blocks and manual to reach your conclusion. It's like building furniture piece by piece instead of providing a single heavy diagram.
Commanding the Room
By now, you have set the stage for a powerful presentation. You've hinted at the content, revealed it with confidence, and kept your slides simple and engaging. But how do you maintain this command throughout your presentation?
Body language and eye contact play crucial roles here. Stand tall, make eye contact with your audience, and use pauses to build anticipation.
In the world of presentations, confidence is key but is not reserved for a select few. By taking command of your slides, you not only project confidence but also create a more engaging and memorable experience for your audience.
Remember to hint at your content, keep your slides simple, and use progressive reveal to maintain control. Combine these techniques with confident body language and suspense pauses, and you'll make a lasting impression.
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