How do you make your presentation interactive and engaging with polls, quizzes, and Q&A features?

1 Choose the right tool

The first step to create an interactive presentation is to choose the right tool that suits your needs and goals. There are many online platforms and software that offer different features and functions to enhance your presentation. Some of the most popular ones include Mentimeter, Slido, Kahoot, and Poll Everywhere. These tools allow you to create and embed polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions in your presentation, and display the results in real-time. You can also customize the design, style, and format of your interactive elements to match your brand and theme.

2 Plan your content

The next step is to plan your content and decide when and how to use the interactive features. You don't want to overload your presentation with too many polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions, as this can distract your audience from your main message and make them lose interest. You also want to make sure that your interactive elements are relevant, meaningful, and aligned with your objectives. For example, you can use a poll to break the ice, gauge the mood, or get feedback at the beginning, middle, or end of your presentation. You can use a quiz to test the knowledge, recall, or understanding of your audience, or to challenge them with a fun or surprising question. You can use a Q&A session to invite questions, comments, or suggestions from your audience, or to address any doubts or concerns they may have.

3 Prepare your audience

The third step is to prepare your audience for the interactive features and explain how they can participate. You want to make sure that your audience knows what to expect, how to access the tools, and what benefits they can get from engaging with your presentation. You can do this by introducing the tools at the beginning of your presentation, providing clear instructions and examples, and encouraging them to join in. You can also use incentives, such as prizes, rewards, or recognition, to motivate your audience to participate. For example, you can offer a gift card, a certificate, or a shout-out to the winner of a quiz, or to the most active or insightful participant in a Q&A session.

4 Monitor and moderate

The fourth step is to monitor and moderate the interactive features and ensure that they run smoothly and effectively. You want to keep an eye on the responses, feedback, and questions that your audience submits, and respond to them appropriately. You can also use the data and insights that you collect from the interactive features to adjust your presentation accordingly. For example, you can use the results of a poll to tailor your content to the needs and preferences of your audience, or to highlight a point or argument. You can use the questions and comments from a Q&A session to clarify any misunderstandings, address any objections, or provide additional information.

5 Engage and interact

The fifth step is to engage and interact with your audience and make them feel valued and involved. You want to create a rapport and a dialogue with your audience, and not just talk at them. You can do this by acknowledging their responses, feedback, and questions, and thanking them for their participation. You can also use humor, stories, or anecdotes to make your presentation more lively and relatable. You can also ask follow-up questions, solicit opinions, or invite suggestions from your audience, and show genuine interest and curiosity in their perspectives.

6 Evaluate and improve

The final step is to evaluate and improve your presentation and the interactive features based on the data and feedback that you collected. You want to measure the impact and effectiveness of your presentation and the interactive features, and identify the strengths and weaknesses. You can do this by analyzing the statistics, reports, and analytics that the tools provide, such as the number of participants, the response rate, the engagement level, and the satisfaction score. You can also ask for feedback from your audience, such as through surveys, ratings, or testimonials. You can use this information to improve your presentation skills, content, and delivery, and to optimize your use of the interactive features for future presentations.

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?