What do you do if your public speaking presentation needs a creative multimedia touch?

Just use enough to emphasize what comes from your brain. BAM. Then back to you. Forget the complex infographic. Simplify information and send the density electronically. ONE key number on a black screen can be shockingly memorable. Use it. Use you.

> Integrate relevant images, infographics, or videos that complement your message. > Use slides with minimal text and high-impact visuals to keep the audience focused.

Identify the Message: Before adding multimedia elements, ensure that you have a clear understanding of the message you want to convey. Determine the key points you want to emphasize and how multimedia can support them. Choose Relevant Multimedia: Select multimedia elements that are relevant to your message and will enhance audience engagement. This could include images, videos, audio clips, animations, infographics, or interactive elements.

I learned many years that every slide you show should have some type of engaging image/gif. A slide with just words is bad, bad, bad. I use all kinds of fun pics/gifs in my speeches but that reflects my personality as a 14 year old trapped in a 50 year old body!! ?? Slides should accent what you say, they shouldn't be everything! Stories and authenticity are what resonate with people. Focus on those areas and watch your audience engagement dynamically increase.

Don't just tell, show! Images, infographics, and even short videos can significantly enhance your presentation's impact. They can help explain complex concepts, illustrate data, and keep your audience engaged. But remember, visuals should be high-quality, relevant to your topic, and easy to understand at a glance. Consider using unexpected or interactive visuals to truly surprise and delight your audience.

"Incorporate sound effects, background music, or even a short narration to enhance your presentation and keep your audience engaged. Ensure the audio clips are relevant to your topic, well-balanced with your speaking voice, and avoid overwhelming the audience with too much noise."

> Include background music or sound effects where appropriate to enhance the mood. > Use audio clips, such as quotes or interviews, to add authenticity to your points.

To enhance the "Interactive Elements" section, consider mentioning how these elements can be used not just for engagement, but also to gather valuable data. You could say something like: "Live polls and quizzes can not only boost engagement, but also provide real-time feedback on audience understanding. Word clouds can be a fun way to capture key takeaways and sentiment from the presentation.

> Incorporate live polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions to involve the audience. > Use social media integrations for real-time engagement and feedback.

Don't fail to make it personal and emotional. Don't fail to tell stories ... This is not just a "powerful tool." It's everything. It reinforces the "why" in why they shouldn't miss what you have for them. Learn how to tell stories like a real story-teller. And tell them.

Utilizing technology in the speech will grab the attention and keep the audience engaged. Choosing the software that gives us the expected results and is easy to use is crucial. It is also important to understand it and have the knowledge to use it.

After you've gotten excited about your capabilities, calm down and think. YOU are the most important technology at the front of the room. Severely LIMIT the glitz. Use only what the audience can't live without. Blank screens are your friend. Give the audience a unicorn, not a lecture. Think of your presentation and the executive summary of what THEY need. (Send the density and data dump electronically. They can read later.) Remember this YOU are the unicorn. They need you. Not a screen. YOU.