The Good And Bad Of Visual Aids

Your audience is 6 times more likely to remember what you say if you include a well-designed visual aid. We remember very little of what we hear, more of what see, and more yet of what we do. The more involved you get your audience in the presentation, the more attentive they will be and the more likely they are to remember what you say.

All presentations can be enhanced through the use of visual aids. Here is of some of the most common visual aids with their attributes and drawbacks.

Handouts
Can be inexpensive Audience members take it home Easily customized to the group Every person has their own	Can be distracting Can be expensive Some people take the handouts and skip the talk
Real Objects
Tactile and sensory Memorable Unbeatable in the proper setting Interactive	Do not apply to all situations May be distracting
White Boards/Flip Charts
Inexpensive Changeable Content is tailored to audience Interactive Makes audience feel “heard”	Requires good handwriting May cause speaker to have back to audience Hard to lug around
PowerPoint
Powerful Can be creative and fun Animation makes it easy to highlight key points Can reveal information bit by bit Video and sound are easy to add	Has a bad (and rightfully earned) reputation Prone to being misused Technical problems can be an issue Overused Requires special equipment

Visual aids are powerful additions to any presentation. Use the right one for your situation and you will have a more interactive and memorable presentation.

 

iSpeakEASY helps people present information in an exciting and relevant manner. Visit us at www.iSpeakEASY.net. Contact us for information on individual coaching or group workshops.

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