Engage Your Audience with High Tech Tools

How do you grab your audience and keep their attention? In this digital world, attention is the in- demand currency. And that may require new skills and tools to wow your audience. Laurie Brown, a professional speaker, facilitated a discussion to gather tools to engage your audience. The good news is there is a tool for every technical level.

In this article we’ll address high tech tools most of which will be used for virtual presentations.

Kahoot-This application allows the presenter to create games online and in person. It’s a game based learning application used for elearning, interactive presentations, training, and events.

PowerPoint-Still the standard, if used effectively, slides can add pictures, graphs, charts, and video to engage an audience.

Streamyard-A live streaming studio that allows you to share your screen and live stream directly to facebook, youtube, linkedin and other platforms.

Google doc slides -Create, edit and collaborate from wherever you are. Easy to access. No files to remember.

Canva -Online design made easy. Choose from thousands of templates for social media, presentations, posters and other visual content. Create eye catching promotions.

Rushak Creative -Download online PowerPoint games such as Family Feud, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and others.

eCamm - A leading provider of Mac software. Allows users to wirelessly mirror their device for a larger display for everyone to see. Animate and time all objects with a user friendly timeline. For Mac computers only.

Miro -A collaborative whiteboard for teams which includes sticky notes and diagrams .Or create your own template. You can integrate all your files directly into Miro for timely group collaboration.

Poll anywhere- Real time audience polling that can be used with in-person audiences or online.

If attention is the currency, your biggest competitor is the smart phone. Online or virtual presentations can tire an audience. Eliminate Zoom fatigue by using these high tech tools. You’ll grab their attention, get them off their phones and keep them engaged!

Words Will Die. 2013 Communication Trends

Words are dying.

According to 2013 communication trends research by Davis & Company, words will die. What does that mean for speakers and their presentations? And what will replace words?

Obviously, we won't stop speaking. But visuals will rule. And I don't mean PowerPoint. Pinterest is the fastest growing social media platform.It's usage has increased 1000%.

Engagement on facebook increases 100% when posts are visual. Photos, videos, and infographics have more impact and are quickly making written text outdated.

When coaching transitioning executives on their elevator pitch, I often go to the white board to draw visuals. Instead of scripting words, I use graphic facilitation to create visual cues (graphics, symbols) to  build a storyline and help them remember their core messages.

The transformation is amazing! Suddenly, their presentation flows as they stop struggling to remember the written words. Their presentations become conversational as the visuals serve as concept cues. The job applicant or presenter sounds natural instead of scripted. Graphic facilitation is also effective in leading groups toward a common goal and is becoming more popular for strategy sessions. The facilitator organizes information spatially and visually.

Presenters who use graphic facilitation will increase audience engagement, big-picture thinking, and group memory.

Change the way you communicate or get left behind. Improve your presentation, remember more, and stop reading your notes. Leave a message in the comment box  to learn how to use graphic communication to be a better presenter and to engage your audience.