TED Talk-inspired presentation skills you should be implementing into your webinar
At one point or another, everyone has had to give a presentation. Today, these presentations would typically take place online and most likely through webinars. Webinar presentations require skills which are not only dependent on your technical knowledge of the webinar or web meeting platform. In fact, there are some key skills which you can take from live presentations. And who better to learn from than the true masters of TED Talks presentations such as Bill Gates and Susan Cain? Sit tight for we will uncover the indispensable skills which can be used to can elevate the impact of your presentations.
Construct real-life stories around your topic
Real TED Talks experts such as Susan Cain center their presentations on telling personal stories. These stories form the focal point of their overall message. For example, during a TED talk on the power of introverts, Susan Cain starts her presentation by drawing on a real-life story of her experience whilst being at a camp. Doing so therefore allows the audience to visualise the scenario in their minds. This instantly makes her sound more relatable and her presentation more grippling. Allowing the audience to establish real engagement with the presentation itself.
Using Visual Props
Another equally effective technique which could be inspired by these live presentations is the ability to evoke a dramatic response from the audience using visual props. For example, during a TED Talk on the topic of malaria in 2009, Bill Gates suddenly exclaimed ‘Malaria, of course, is transmitted by mosquitoes’ as he opened a glass jar. Then stated, ‘I brought some here so you can experience this. I'll let these roam around the auditorium. There's no reason why only poor people should have the experience!’. He eventually made clear these mosquitoes were not infected. However, his stunt instantly grabbed the attention of everyone in the audience. This is a direct example of using visual props for enhancing your stories. It is clear this exact tactic of releasing mosquitoes would not work in a webinar. And we are not suggesting doing this. However, other visual props such as an unexpected video or even a story could be used to evoke a reaction of surprise from the audience. Making your webinar more memorable and more impactful in the long run. This alone could guarantee your audience members are engaged and prone to return for your upcoming webinars.
Passion
When choosing a topic to present about, one of the main aspects which should be considered is your passion for it. Passion undoubtedly leads to a high level of comprehension in regards to the topic. In turn, this leads to your mastery of it which is the ultimate foundation of any remarkable presentation. In both of the above examples, it is evident the presenters have a genuine passion for their topic. Persuading and inspiring others with your presentation would only have the desired effect if you express yourself with a level of excitement and real interest in the topic. Simply put, you cannot inspire others unless you are inspired yourself.
Humour
Another key skill which could be drawn from these two presentations is their use of humour throughout. We at Drum believe that humour is key to any successful webinar presentation. Humor appeals directly to the audience, making them more receptive to the overall message of your presentation. Additionally, It also makes you seem more likable, and people are more willing to listen and engage with someone they like. At the end of the day, it’s hard to remain indifferent or bored in a presentation during which you are continuously laughing.
While these might seem challenging to some, comprehending how to successfully implement them into a webinar could be vital. If done well, these skills can form the single most important aspect in determining whether your webinar is successful. Like anything in this world, mastering these skills comes with practice. You don't just wake up one day and suddenly realise you possess these skills (It would have been ideal if this was the case, wouldn't it?). These skills should be slowly implemented and perfected over time.