If you’re like most people, presenting in front of an audience can be a challenging, nerve-wracking experience to persevere through. It’s natural to get self-conscious when speaking in front of others, and many have to train themselves to improve. But being a good presenter can dramatically impact how people perceive you as a professional.
Because it’s so intimidating for so many, nailing a presentation can be a great way to command respect from your peers. And while it’s important to focus on your public speaking ability, you also want to arm yourself with the right tools. There are many great tools that can elevate your next presentation from a good one to a great one. Read on to learn about five of these tools and how you can use them in your next presentation.
1. Remote Clicker
Who’s the better presenter? The one who looks at their audience, addressing them directly, or the one whose face is buried in their notecards? Nine out of ten times it’s the one who exudes a sense of confidence and familiarity with their material.
Likewise, some of the best are those able to confidently stroll around their stage, untethered by a podium or technology. Those who rely on manually clicking through slides on their computer often look less professional or less prepared.
Perhaps the greatest bang-for-your-buck item on this list, a remote clicker is an easy way to immediately elevate your performance. You can find them online for around $10. Even if you only give one important presentation in your life, getting one us doing yourself a favor.
2. Screen Recorder
By using a remote clicker you can take your presentation a step above Joe Schmo’s. A screen recorder can help you stand out from even those with intermediate experience.
Think about how many times you have completely zoned out when you’re bombarded with slide after slide loaded with text. Relying on fully scripted slides is a sure way to lose your audience’s attention. On the flip side, video is naturally stimulating, keeping audiences engaged for longer.
By using a screen recorder, you can pre-record footage to later embed as video. So instead of explaining a complicated idea through text, show your audience what you’re talking about. This tool pulls on the tried-and-true principle of “show don’t tell” and is a reliable way to improve your performance.
3. Power Bank
Returning to simple tools, this one will increase your professional appeal by reinforcing your reliability. Here’s a scenario you never want to face as a presenter: running out of battery. As many presentations are hosted on laptops, running out of battery is a death knell.
You might think that the obvious solution is just to use a laptop charger. But there’s no guarantee your charger will actually reach an outlet, especially if you’re on stage. Additionally, having a long cord running loose on stage looks messy and unprofessional. It’s better to opt for a clean, neat look whenever possible.
Simply put: get yourself a power bank. Even small batteries will give you enough juice for a few hours — plenty of time to work through your whole performance. You’ll save yourself tons of time, embarrassment, and professional credibility by always keeping this one on you. Just make sure it’s actually charged!
4. Stylus
A stylus is a great way to up your presentation game. Simply put, you can use this technology to scribble on your slides. While this might sound simple at first, the applications are highly versatile.
A stylus will enable you to make live annotations. You can draw diagrams and other visuals live or even record audience feedback. You can underline or highlight certain sections to emphasize your point. This is another way to increase audience engagement through visuals.
Some styluses even have a remote clicker feature, combining the two in one. Some feature laser pointers, further engaging audiences by grabbing their attention and directing it where it needs to be. This simple tool can add a great deal of depth to your presentation, making it another easy pick-up.
5. Audio Equipment
It’s crucial you ensure your audience can actually hear what you’re saying when you speak. While you’re in a meeting room, there’s no concern whether you’ll be audible unless you mumble. However, you might not always be in a small, intimate space. If you ever need to present in a large conference room or online, you want to make sure your voice is loud and clear.
Often, when you’re invited to speak, a microphone will be provided. But this isn’t always guaranteed and malfunctions happen. To stay on the safe side, a portable headset or microphone can be linked with auditorium speakers to project your voice in larger crowds. That way the people in the back won’t have to tire themselves by straining their ears to hear you.
Similarly, don’t just rely on your built-in microphone if you’re working online. Built-in microphones are often of lower quality. They can pick up background noise, produce lower audio clarity, and may not capture your voice as accurately, leading to a subpar audio experience. Investing in a high-quality mic ensures online audiences have the opportunity to be captivated by your speech.
Combine the Right Tools and Skills to Ace the Presentation
There’s no doubt about it: crafting and executing a good presentation can be hard. Not only is public speaking itself challenging, but unforeseen technical difficulties can throw a wrench in your plans. It’s important to be as self-sufficient as possible. By combining the right tools with good public speaking, you can elevate your presentation to the next level.
