How can you use music and sound effects to enhance your presentation?

1 Choose your purpose

Before you add any music or sound effects to your presentation, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with them. Do you want to set the mood, emphasize a point, create suspense, or evoke a specific emotion? Depending on your purpose, you will need to choose different types of music and sound effects that match your content, tone, and style.

2 Find suitable sources

Once you have defined your purpose, you need to find suitable sources of music and sound effects that you can use legally and ethically. You can either create your own music and sound effects using software or instruments, or use existing ones from online libraries or platforms. However, you need to make sure that you have the right permissions and licenses to use them, and that you give proper credit to the original creators.

3 Select the right tracks

After you have found some potential sources of music and sound effects, you need to select the right tracks that fit your purpose and your presentation. You need to consider factors such as the genre, tempo, volume, length, and quality of the tracks. You also need to avoid tracks that are too distracting, repetitive, or irrelevant to your topic. You can use online tools or software to preview, edit, and trim the tracks as needed.

4 Plan the timing

The next step is to plan the timing of when and how to play the music and sound effects during your presentation. You need to decide whether you want to play them at the beginning, end, or throughout your presentation, and how long each track should last. You also need to consider the transitions between the tracks and the slides, and how to synchronize them with your speech and gestures. You can use software or apps to create playlists, cues, or timers to help you with the timing.

5 Test the quality

Before you deliver your presentation, you need to test the quality of the music and sound effects on the device and the speakers that you will use. You need to check the sound levels, clarity, balance, and compatibility of the tracks with your presentation software and format. You also need to test the quality in the venue or the platform that you will use, and adjust the settings as needed. You can ask for feedback from a friend or a colleague to improve the quality.

6 Use them wisely

The final step is to use the music and sound effects wisely during your presentation. You need to be confident, prepared, and flexible when you play them, and avoid relying on them too much. You also need to monitor the reactions of your audience, and adjust the volume, duration, or frequency of the tracks if necessary. You can also use verbal or non-verbal cues to introduce, explain, or connect the music and sound effects with your message.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?