February 26th, 2010
This is the final installment of our three-part series of AV tips from pro speakers. Scroll all the way down to find out how to rent a professional, affordable projector for your next presentation.
The Pro Clicker.
For less than $20 at Radio Shack, you can find a simple remote control on/off switch that enables you to swiftly and expertly have your audiovisuals appear when you want them (and disappear when you don’t). This simple gadget plugs into any standard wall outlet and is accompanied by a small hand-held keychain remote that hides easily in the palm of your hand. Simply click the “on” switch when you want to use your audiovisuals, and click the “off” switch to let the whole operation go dark.
Remember, this technique works best on an overhead projector or mechanical slide projector (as opposed to a digital system or laptop that takes time to warm up). If you choose to use a remote control associated with your laptop or projector rental, be sure to practice a bit before your presentation, to ensure you’re not fumbling with the buttons once it’s go-time.
Relax.
Professional speakers agree — the single best way to ensure a great presentation is to simply relax. Your audience can pick up on tension and nervousness, so the more at ease you are, the more receptive your listeners are. Remember to breathe!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this 3-part series on AV Tips and Tricks from Industry Experts. Got a suggestion for a speaking-related article? Post a comment here or email us and we’ll do our best to include it in this blog.
And remember Projector123.com when you need to rent a projector for your next PowerPoint presentation. Here at Projector123.com, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality projector rentals at competitive pricing – and we ensure that the entire process is as easy as 1-2-3. Click here to rent a projector now.
February 24th, 2010
Welcome to part two of this three-part series on presentation tips from the pros. Be sure to come back and post a comment to let us know how your presentation went!
AV Is for Support Only.
A common rookie mistake is to read the slide text to your audience. Just imagine for a moment that you were at a train stop, reading the posted train schedule and someone walked up to you and said, “Here, let me help you with that. Train stops here on Monday, 6:20 AM, 6:55AM, 7:15 AM, …” You’d probably look at the person as though they had lost their mind. If your audience can read, all that’s required are a few bullet points (NOT complete sentences) on each slide. Remember, the purpose of your audiovisuals is to support your presentation, not to replace it. Don’t get upstaged by your AV support – allow it to support you.
Familiarize Yourself.
It’s important to know your material – not your speech itself – inside and out. Memorize concepts and ideas; not specific words or sentences. This ensures authenticity in your presentation, and provides you with the confidence you need to bang out a stellar presentation. When you know the material, it becomes easy – almost conversational – to choose exactly what words will best express each concept. The more familiar you are with the material you’re presenting, the more you can count on a smooth and seamless presentation, and a vibrantly receptive audience.
Additionally, take some time to get to know your audience members before your speech (if possible.) Making that connection with people before you approach the podium makes them much more likely to be open to and interested in what you have to say during your presentation.
For a truly professional edge, rent a projector from Projector123.com. We’ll deliver directly to the location you specify, and renting from us is as easy as 1-2-3! Click here to get started.
February 22nd, 2010
In this three-part series, we explore some of the top AV presentation tips from speaking professionals. We hope these will assist you in creating your best presentation ever. Be sure to write us or post a comment to share your own tips or to let us know how your presentation turned out!
Choose Your Color Choices Wisely.
While it’s true that black text on a white background could appear a bit boring, classic color combinations are generally best. If you choose to use color, keep it simple and readable by using contrast. Yellow doesn’t appear easy to view on a white background. When choosing colors, stick with a dark text on a light background: navy on a very pale yellow; dark purple on white; dark green on a very light gray. You can certainly add visual interest with graphics and images as appropriate, but remember: the purpose of the text is to be read and absorbed. Also — as a general rule, never use orange (peach, salmon, etc.) text on a dark blue background (or vice versa) as these color combinations are typically unreadable by individuals who are colorblind.
Always Perform a Visual Check.
AV support is useless if it can’t easily be seen by every member of your audience. Sit in the back row or farthest seat from the projection screen and have a look at your slides – can you read the words or interpret the graphics easily? It’s better to include less on each slide and make the text larger, rather than create a slide that can’t be seen or understood by the entire group.
Ready to rent a projector for your next professional presentation? Click here to get started with Projector123.com and find out why marketing professionals and executives all across the U.S. are relying on us for their projector rentals.
February 19th, 2010
Planning a professional dinner meeting? Use these helpful hints for creating a memorable presentation.
Dinner meetings are becoming increasingly popular in industries throughout the U.S. Until recently, these intimate educational sessions were primarily used by pharmaceutical reps in search of uninterrupted time with busy physicians, but today, more and more executives are taking part in educational dinner meetings.
Typically an intimate gathering, a dinner meeting may include anywhere from half a dozen to twenty or so attendees. Because restaurants tend to be dimly lit, it pays to bring an LCD projector rental to ensure that all participants can see and hear the presentation clearly.
Projector123.com rents high-lumen LCD projectors for this very purpose. For as little as $99, you can reserve a professional quality projector rental and be up and running in no time. We’ll deliver to the exact location you specify (hotel, business, private address, restaurant, etc.) one day before your event to ensure that you have the equipment you need when you need it.
Each projector rental includes a quickstart setup guide, 24/7 technical assistance whenever you need it, and return shipping.
Whether you’re a drug rep presenting new drug statistics, or a marketing professional presenting sales data, a rental projector can assist you in using vivid images and demonstrative charts to clarify your points and help you get the sales.
Oh and one final yet important tip — remember to snack before you get there. You’ll be so busy networking before and during dinner (and addressing questions and comments after the meal) that you may not have time to eat! Additionally, even the finest restaurants are often willing to make you a to-go box when you include yourself in the final head count.
Bon appetit and happy presenting!
Order your rental projector today from Projector123.com — we’ll help you in selecting the most optimal unit for your location and group size. Click here to get started.
February 17th, 2010
We hope you enjoy this article reprint from professional speaker Ken Okel.
As a professional speaker, I’ve learned that while most audiences want you to succeed, you will lose them if you’re not properly prepared. No matter your skill level, follow these tips and take your talks to a new level.
Start and Finish Strong:
As a broadcaster, I only had about 10 to 15 seconds to grab the viewer’s attention or they’d change the channel. While your audience won’t have a remote control, they’ll tune you out if you’re not holding their attention and capturing their curiosity. Studies have found that you can only focus on a presentation for about eight minutes before your mind will wander. If you’re talking longer than that, you need to make sure that your conclusion sums up the main points of your presentation. If it’s good information, there’s nothing wrong with saying it twice. In order to start and finish strong, you need to spend extra time rehearing your opening and closing and really have it down cold. Your first and last impression will stay with the audience so make it count. It’s also a great way to get rid of any pre-speech nerves.
Believe in What You’re Saying:
Enthusiasm feeds an audience’s interest. Never treat a topic as if it’s not the most interesting thing in the world. Don’t fake excitement but rather show that you like what you’re talking about. Remember as a child how you’d light up when you’d tell your parents about an exciting part of your day? If you can make the ordinary interesting, you’re on your way to being memorable.
So Make the Ordinary Interesting:
How many times have you heard the pre-flight safety messages from a flight attendant? I bet most of the time, you blocked it out. But every once in a while the flight attendant might throw in a joke or a funny observation and suddenly you’re listening. Think about your material. Is there a shared experience that everyone can relate to like oversleeping your alarm clock, losing your keys, or finding less than a cup of coffee left in the office coffeemaker when you need some serious caffeine? Your audience can immediately identify with those situations. Your challenge is to relate it to your topic. This will play a key role in letting the crowd know why they should care about what you’re saying.
Ken Okel is a communications expert who uses real life broadcasting experiences to help successful organizations communicate better, reduce stress, and laugh more. For his free newsletter and special report, 7 Communication Mistakes that are Costing You Money, go to http://www.kenokel.com
Need to rent a projector for your next killer presentation? Click here to see how easy it is to procure a rental projector from Projector123.com.
February 15th, 2010
In this conclusion of a 2-part series, we provide five additional hints for using humor effectively in your presentation.
Tip #5 – Make it personal.
Whenever possible, customize your humor (And your presentation) to the specific group of participants. Spend some time getting to know the corporate culture as well as some of the key individuals in the group. People love to be included and it keeps your presentation from feeling “canned.”
Tip #6 – Pace yourself.
Spread humor throughout your presentation – don’t use it all at the beginning or end. Remember, the point is to keep the audience interested and engaged and humor is a great way to do this.
Tip #7 – Break it up.
If your presentation includes a particularly long, technical, or tedious section (out of necessity), and a group break is not possible, break up the pace with humor. Some speakers even allow the group members to spontaneously volunteer a (clean, appropriate) joke at designated parts of the presentation (or during any delays related to equipment, etc.)
Tip #8 -Practice the unexpected.
Spontaneously spring a joke on a friend or co-worker and gauge their reaction. There is a psychological reflex that occurs when you say, “hey that reminds me of a joke,” or “let me tell you this joke” — people sort of brace themselves, and become more judgmental than they would have if the joke were unexpected. This gives you the opportunity to practice the delivery and timing of your joke, as well as your ability to work a joke into a conversation. If you get a spontaneous, genuine laugh, it’s a keeper.
Tip #9 – Be yourself.
Above all else, be yourself. Authenticity shines through any situation and when you are authentic, your audience will warm to you, further enhancing any humor you add to your presentation.
Got additional tips? Post them here in the comments.
Ready to present? Click here to order the easiest, fastest, most affordable projector rentals in the U.S., from Projector123.com.
February 12th, 2010
Everyone appreciates some humor in a presentation — it keeps the tone light, keeps the audience interested and breaks the ice. But there is a certain finesse involved in using humor appropriately in any situation. So from drug reps to sales professionals to corporate trainers, here are some basic guidelines for adding humor to your next presentation.
Tip #1 – Remember, you don’t have to be funny to tell a joke.
Sometimes a true life story comes off a great deal funnier than a one-liner. Begin to notice when you get laughs in your normal conversational life. Notice what jokes go over with what kind of folks, and this will begin to clue you in to what might work with your presentation audience.
Tip #2 – Appropriateness is essential.
As always, know your audience. What is appropriate for one group of people is certainly not appropriate with another. Understand the social boundaries and commonalities so that you can bend or break them in a manner that’s amusing and thought-provoking (if that’s what you’re going for). For example, a really good lawyer joke may be ideal if you are a lawyer who is speaking to non-lawyers. But if you are not a lawyer and you’re speaking to a group of lawyers, not so much. Use common sense and put yourself in your audience’s shoes.
Tip #3 – Be willing to laugh at yourself, but not ad nauseum.
If you make a mistake, or trip, or otherwise bungle something, a comical comment may be appropriate. But nobody likes to listen to someone constantly put themselves down. So use this technique sparingly.
Tip #4 – Look elsewhere.
If you are convinced that you are simply just not funny, don’t give up hope. You can look elsewhere to find a funny cartoon, movie clip, audio, etc. to incorporate into your PowerPoint presentation. Perhaps you have a friend or colleague in the audience who is a stellar joke teller and would be willing to stand up and share a preselected (by you) anecdote at a predetermined time in your presentation. The possibilities are endless.
Join us in the next installment for part 2 of using humor effectively in your presentation. And when you’re ready to present, contact Projector123.com to arrange for an easy, affordable, professional projector rental. Click here for rates and ordering info.
February 10th, 2010
While it’s true that the most critical part of a presentation is a riveting opening, what you’re most likely to be remembered for is actually your closing. Here are some tips for creating a killer closing.
Grabbing your audience with a stellar opening is essential for getting their attention early on, leading your listeners to sit up and take notice. But the closing of your presentation (also called “the takeaway”) is your opportunity to drive home your most essential one to three key points.
Here are our top 3 tips for nailing the takeaway:
1 – Create a simple yet memorable summary slide.
Too often, presenters try to cram their top 8 or so points onto a single summary slide or — worse yet — use multiple summary slides. Remember that in most cases, your summary slide will remain visible longer than any other slide, so take full advantage of that extended screen time to really drive home your key point (no more than 3 key points). If possible, find a humourous or remarkable image to cement the point into their memories.
2 – Begin with the end in mind.
Before sitting down to draft your presentation, ask yourself this question: If I could only give my audience one key point as a takeaway, what would it be? Build your presentaion around that key point, and be sure it’s front and center on your summary slide.
3 – Repetition is key. Repetition is key. Repitition is key.
While it would certainly become annoying to simply repeat the same statement sequentially, repeating a key statement (short, simple, easy to remember, all-encompassing) throughout your presentation will make it that much memorable once the meeting is adjourned. We are bombarded with so many bits of information every day that repetition is usually necessary to make something stick with us. Create a simple summary statement that concisely and effectively makes your point. “Upsells create more revenue for all of us.” “In sales, repeat the positive and immediately dismiss the negative.” “Women are our largest buyer market, so we must market to women.”
Now you should be equipped to nail that all-important summary slide and really drive that takeaway point home. Go get ‘em, Ace!
Remember to reserve your rental projector from the top name in LCD projector rentals. Click here to experience Projector123.com.
February 8th, 2010
It’s no secret that the first 30 sexonds of your presentation can make or break your whole relationship with the audience.
How about when YOU read that opening line? Did you notice that we typed “sexonds” instead of “seconds”? The element of surprise is one way to get your audience’s attention right off the bat. Here are our top ideas for killer openings:
1. Create the element of surprise.
This can occur with a impact statement, a shocking image, a gesture, immediate audience participation, anything. It tells the audience straight away: “I’d better pay attention because I’m not sure what’s going to happen next.”
2. Create curiosity.
This is easily accomplished with a peculiar prop, article of clothing, gesture, statement, etc. It puts the audience on alert and gets their right and left brains engaged — their left brain starts asking, “what is the logical reason for this?” while their right brain is beginning to concoct ideas “why.”
3. Open with a question.
In order to create maximum impact, we recommend opening with a shocking question (“Why is THIS company content to rest on its laurels instead of completely dominating its field?”) or a non-rhetorical question that invites audience participation (“What are the top 3 changes we could make right now to skyrocket our sales?”)
4. Create drama.
No matter what anyone says, people of all walks of life love drama. If that weren’t true, box office sales wouldn’t be where they are today. You can create drama with a single word followed up by a personal story (“Bankrupt. That’s where I was, at the age of just 32.”) or with a single impact statement (“Nobody can hold you back — nobody — without your express permission.”) or an odd statistic (“In South Africa, road accidents cause the most deaths among children between 4 and 15 years. Nearly every day two children die on these roads, and half of these children are younger than age 8.”). Your impact statement should be startling (in a positive or negative way, depending on the nature of the rest of your presentation) and relative to the subject matter at hand.
These are just a few ideas, but they should give you enough creative ideas to get you started. Remember to prepare for your presentation by renting a projector from Projector123.com. Reserve yours today!
February 5th, 2010
In Part 1, we explored two key factors (duration and audience knowledge base) in determining whether or not to include audiovisual support in your employee training or orientations. Next, we’ll take a look at factors involving budget and content.
1. What is your budget? Perhaps the purchase of an LCD projector isn’t a justifiable budgetary expense for occasional employee training or orientations. That’s no problem when you can rent a projector for as little as $99 per rental. Plus, you won’t have to fuss with maintenance, storage, or depreciation – just rent a projector whenever and wherever you need it, and watch how easy and affordable it becomes to incorporate high-quality images into your training and presentation.
2. How technical is your content?
Generally speaking, the more technical your content is, the more necessary audiovisuals become. Highly specialized training requires multiple delivery methods in order to appeal to a wide base of learners and to help cement the new training in the minds of the participants. Whenever possible, you will want to incorporate visual, auditory and tactile learning methods for all key points during the training. An LCD projector can serve two of these three learning styles with high quality audio and visual support. Tactile learning can be incorporated in ways as simple as providing a workbook for participants to fill in blanks or write down notes, or by encouraging participation (speaking, raising hands, role playing, etc.) through simple incentives.
Should you decide to use an LCD projector rental at your next company training event, be sure to contact Projector123.com for the highest quality rental projectors at competitive pricing. Projector123.com is your one-stop shop for fast, affordable, reliable rental projectors. Rent one today!
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