Presentating Visuals

There are many ways of presenting visuals--flips charts, slides, video, multimedia, overheads slides, props, charts and models. You can use still photos, animation, sound, laser, etc. The list continues to grow with advances in technology.

Whatever you choose to use, it should enhance your presentation, not BE the presentation. Make sure you're familiar with the room setup so you can plan the arrangement of the seating and/or the placement of nthe visual presentation. If you're using projectors, be sure you can control the lighting in the room and there's a good screen or wall for projection.

If you're presenting visuals in a hotel meeting room, find out what is supplied and get written confirmation, ask for what you need (they might supply it), be familiar with the type of technology the hotel offers, get there early to check things out and take an extra bulb.

Feel comfortable with whatever method you choose and practice until you're proficient. The creative aspects of multimedia are entertaining and useful for learning, however, some basic rules of presenting with visuals, low tech or high tech, are constant.

Keep visuals simple and to the point.
Use one heading per visual.
Use consistent typeface.
Make them easily visible/readable from the back of the room.
Use color for emphasis.
Use bullets, symbols and numbers.
Condense sentences into phrases and single words.
Augment each visual with verbal comments.