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Presentation Ideas |
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More than PowerPoint...
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UnConference Versus Conference
It's a Conference. But not like we know it, Jim.
The first rule of BarCamp?
Talk about BarCamp.
The second rule of BarCamp?
Blog about BarCamp.
I attended my first UnConference last week. BarCamp Grand Rapids.
(There! I've fulfilled BarCamp rule #2!)
After this enlightening experience, I don't know if I can ever attend another ICAWKI (Industry Conference As We Know It).
What's the difference between a conference and an unconference?
The Conference: Unmitigated Commercialization. Most conferences are marked by:
- A carefully set agenda. Slick brochures. Ads in trade journals. Secure web page sign up. Pricey.
- Speakers, workshops, and panel discussions. Speeches carefully written, designed, and rehearsed.
- Those who present often overtly plug their companies with overblown introductions. (Eye rolling ensues.)
- Speakers pepper corporate brand names throughout their presentations. (More audience eye rolling.)
- PowerPoint slides, SWAG, and signage litter the landscape: laden with industry logos. (People adore free stuff.)
And of course, all this lovely commercialization keeps me happily employed as a consultant who crafts speeches and coaches presenters.
Sigh. Time to find a new way to make a living...
The UnConference: Amazing, Open-Source Pockets of Grass Roots Passion. The unconference approach is decidedly refreshing.
- No set agenda. Word of Mouth spread. Wikis and FaceBook pages for sign-ups. Low- to no-cost sign up.
- Limited corporate sponsorship (hey, somebody has to pay for the venue, presenting equipment, and snacks.)
- Three word introductions (Think: "I'm Laura Bergells." That's three. Or, "OK, let's start.")
- No overt product plugs: unless they are pertinent to the presentation.
- People who speak enthusiastically -- not for the ulterior motive of plugging their wares, but because they are passionate about sharing their ideas.
Slickly polished presentations at the unconference? Not so much.
More like smart, spirited, informal discussions with people who are in it for the joy of sharing knowledge -- and open to learning and building on the ideas of others.
Think of the tradition of Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem: if a performer stinks, the audience judges harshly. Boos. Hisses. Howls. Out comes the hook.
The same thing could happen if you come to BarCamp and try to pitch your product!
Conversely, if you give a stellar performance, your reward is continuing the conversation with the engaging, delightful people you meet.
And that's a much better reward than coming home with a pocketful of pens and heavily processed information with a commercial bias.
So what's your preference? Being force fed slickly produced corporate messages? Or sharing stories with people who are excited about their discoveries and can't wait to tell you about it?
The voice of your customer. If listening to the voice and vernacular and ideas of your customers is important to your company, you might want to check out an UnConference -- coming soon to a city near you (if it hasn't already.)
Because if it's happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- it's not just a Coaster thing.
How will the spread of the popularity of the UnConference and Social Media impact the ICAWKI? (Industry Conference As We Know It.)
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Record Your Presentation? The Audacity!
I recorded only the spoken part of my presentation the other day. - Not for posterity.
- Not for posting online.
- Not for anyone to listen to...
...except for me.
I do this a lot, actually.
And it's not because I adore the sound of my voice. Like most people, I don't care for the way my recorded voice sounds. I prefer the familiar, idealized way my voice sounds in my head. After all, I'm more accustomed to hearing my voice through the thick layer of my skull.
 photo credit: rayced
But my recorded voice? To me, it sounds repugnant. Like I'm on the verge of hysteria.
Mercifully, my audience hears my voice differently than I do. Ergo, I frequently record my voice to gain audience empathy... but for two other key reasons, as well.
1. As I age, I'm aware that I'm losing the spontaneity of youth. It's too easy for me to slip into a comfortable pace and pitch. The way I hear my own voice may please me and make me feel comfortable and safe -- but may bore the hair off of my audience. When I listen to a recording of myself, I first emotionally divorce myself from my personal dislike for my voice. It's tough. Next, I pay attention to word choice, pace, pitch, and volume. Pace and pitch are my worst vocal demons -- I note where I'm either boring or horrifying myself; editing and correcting my choices in takes 2 and 3.
2. Listening to recorded presentations helps my recall. I don't often use speaker notes or talk from scripts. Instead, I'm more frequently asked to chat about what I know. If it's a formal presentation, I prepare relentlessly. I design PowerPoint in such a way that if I experience a visual technical meltdown on stage, I can usually can continue talking somewhat coherently. Previously listening to my recorded voice and agonizing over every cringe-worthy gaffe helps me remember where I am and what I'm saying. I'm conscious and aware on two different levels at once -- putting the "fully present" into my presentation.
Technically, it's not hard to record and examine your own voice. I'm a long time fan of Audacity, a free, open source sound editor and recorder. Download, install, record, listen -- and you'll even SEE your vocal patterns presented in waves.
- Witness how awfully big and unwieldy "ums" and "ers" look!
- Feel the shame when your voice suddenly goes flat for minutes!
- Furrow your brow when you realize that even you didn't understand a quickly uttered phrase!
Audacity actually lets you SEE your voice -- not just hear it. Too many times, we over-focus on correcting the visual elements of a presentation -- PowerPoint, props, costumes, lighting, and other things-we-see. By focusing solely on your voice, you can find and correct vocal issues before you hit the stage. Further, by recording your voice, you'll find that you'll have better recall of your speech or presentation.
It's an edge. Give it a try!
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The Dynamic Duo and the Wardrobe Malfunction
My partner Oud and I walked into a client's studio. She greeted us with,
"Wow, you two look great. Do you know that show on TLC called "What Not to Wear"? Well, you two should be on it!"
Oud and I were not familiar with the show. So we simply stared at her, startled at how frank she was about her disapproval of our attire. And yet she had also said we looked great...
Judging our puzzled looks, our beloved client re-thought what she said and looked mortified. She stammered,
"Oh, no. Oh, geez, I mean, you two should host the show, because you always look so nice."
Meet the Non-Dynamic Duo. We all shared a laugh as our client explained that the show's hosts were fashion experts who advised others how to dress. I said something self-deprecating like, "Nice save! Next time, we'll dress more appropriately!"
Oud was wearing a dark suit. I was business-casual in a sweater and slacks. While we both dressed aptly for a meeting with our client, we were nonetheless a little mismatched.
Japed Crusaders. You see, Oud and I had both come from different meetings, and were subsequently leaving to go to different business engagements. Oud was a smidge more formal because he was going to a loftier appointment afterward. I was dressed for several meetings with established clients on a very cold, snowy day in February. Had either of us showed up independently, our attire would have escaped notice.
We both dressed for our most business-formal meeting of the day. And in sub-zero Michigan weather, slipping into different suits as you four-wheel it from office to office isn't feasible.
Our client sympathized. Michigan folks know that weather profoundly impacts fashion choices. Oud and I were a bit off, but not far out.
Lesson learned. Co-presenters need to match dress styles. As a dynamic duo, we blew it.
To complement Oud's style, I should have dressed more formally.
But as wardrobe malfunctions go, this was not my worst! Lee Potts covers my most heinous presentation wardrobe mistake in "The World's Worst Wet T-Shirt Contest."
But tell me - what do you think? Do you make sure to coordinate wardrobes when you co-present?
And what's YOUR worst wardrobe malfunction?
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The Presentation Grand Finale: 3 Ways to Close with a Bang!
Most fireworks presentations feature a super-explosive Grand Finale. After 45 minutes or so of eliciting audience oooohs and ahhhhs, a fabulous fireworks show ends with an overwhelming sensory display that excites and mobilizes the crowd.
The masses rise, stamp their feet, cheer wildly -- and go home feeling invigorated.
And maybe even a little hard-of-hearing!
photo credit: empressofdirt What do you do for your own presentation grand finale? Let's say your presentation has achieved the equivalent of garnering ooohs and aaahs. Your audience may not have actually said "oooh" or "aaaah" during your talk, but you recognize other emotional cues:
- You see nodding. And smiles.
- You recognize eyebrows raised in that "aha" moment.
- You witness furious note-taking.
- And yeah, maybe you've actually heard ooohs or ahhhs!
You can tell. Your talk has sparked a synapse or two. You've inspired interest and attention. All the signs are there...
You've made an emotional connection. Now what do you do to bring it on home? Close with a whimper or a bang? (Link & credit to "The Hollow Men" by TS Eliot.)
Whimper! Too many presentations end without a grand finale. Some wander off-topic with a closing statement that has nothing to do with the content of the presentation. And quite a few end with these stinkers:
No fireworks are necessary for your grand finale! Ending a presentation with a call to action, summary, or final story are three of my favorite ways to end a presentation with a bang.
- Bang! Call to Action! "In a few minutes, you're going back to your offices. Here's the first thing I want you to do when you get back to your desks..."
- Bang! Summarize! "When you leave here today, remember these three main points..."
- Bang! The Final Story..."Let me share one final story with you..."
A powerful close lets your message linger longer. Each "bang" technique signals the end of the presentation, yet it also leaves a powerful emotional imprint on your audience. A grand finale does double duty -- it cues the audience that time is almost up, and it makes a longer lasting, more exciting emotional connection. How else do you close your presentations with a bang? And let's dish -- what are some of the worst closings you've ever witnessed?
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Now Entering the Post-Template PowerPoint Design Era...
If you are still using PowerPoint templates as a presentation design aid, it's time to stop. Why?
 Because we've officially entered the Post-Template PowerPoint Design Era.
Why the Post-Template PowerPoint Design Era? With so many options available for great images, you don't need to rely on a PowerPoint template anymore. As fellow presentation blogger Ellen Finkelstein puts it in her excellent post at Slideshare, "White is definitely the new blue in presentation backgrounds..."
Why did PowerPoint background fashion change? Back in the early 1990's, very few people had easy access to compelling digital photography to insert in their PowerPoint presentations. Today, just about everybody who gives presentations has a digital camera. Use it to capture unique and fresh images for your next PowerPoint presentation. Don't have the talent for taking a great photo? You might be surprised at just how good you are! Don't be intimidated -- if you have a digital camera, at least give it a shot! At the very least, it's sure to be an original.
Can't get the shot you want? Again, you have access to a plethora of great photography online -- something you probably didn't have 10 years ago. Consider Flickr, the social photo sharing site. Many photos are available for use in your presentations through the Creative Commons attribution. If you can't find a unique photo at Flickr, try Morguefile or StockExchange. Both of these sites offer totally free photos. Just be sure to check the licensing requirements on each image before you use it in your next presentation.
Pay a little. If you still can't find the photograph you want, you may have to pay for a stock image -- but just a little. I like iStockphoto -- the prices are usually a buck or three -- and the selection is decent and updates regularly. But be careful! With stock photography, you run the risk of picking a photo that many people have seen before -- so it's not unique. Many times, you risk boring your audience with stock photography. Fortunately, iStockphoto shows you which photos are the most frequently downloaded, so you can avoid photos that everyone has already seen. With a little diligence, you can find something newer, fresher, and hipper.
The days of slapping clip art on a blue background are definitely over. That's just so 1990's! And when the audience has seen a background or image before -- the presenter becomes part of a landscape of visual cliches. The eyes of the audience glaze over. The presentation seem hackneyed. The presenter seems trite. The message gets hazy. Lost.
Use unique imagery. Use your creativity. Your audience with appreciate your effort!
PS -- Need help learning to manipulate photos and other graphics? Ellen Finkelstein also writes to remind me that her ebook, 7 Steps to Great Images, is on sale at her site. The book is easy-to-read, and filled with practical instructions for manipulating images in PowerPoint. Perfect for the Post-Template PowerPoint design era! You can also sign up for Ellen's free tips newsletter. Enjoy!
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The Summer of Social Media Love
Enter the social media mainstream. Yes, social media -- where people participate actively, publicly, and directly with online content and content providers -- are mainstream. When huge corporations start blogging, friending, following, fanning, tweeting, and digging -- you know that "the man" is infiltrating the social media scene. It's not a bad thing. But it's smart to get hip to new ways of communicating and connecting. With social media, you can participate at your level of comfort.
Your summer of social media love. June, July, August -- if you haven't done so already, give social media three solid months. Watch your brain start to make connections in new and exciting ways.
First up on your summer social media to-do list: find and subscribe to a few new blogs.
Why subscribe to blogs? Well, here are 3 very basic reasons:
- To learn something new
- To make friends with people who share your passions and interests
- To participate in smart conversations.
 Learn something new? On a blog? Really? Sure. Many bloggers are experts who write about a niche topic. Find a topic that interests you, and peruse the top blogs in that field.
Finding top blogs. A fabulous way to find great new blogs with scintillating content is to pop by Alltop.com. This new site helps you "explore your passions by collecting stories from 'all the top' sites on the web." Nice! Each collection is grouped into topic areas -- football, nonprofit, sales, education, what-have-you -- so that you can easily find the latest feeds from top blogs in the categories you love the most.
Alltop is just like standing in front of a magazine rack in your favorite bookstore. Only the headlines update instantly -- and most of the content is free.
For example, let's say you're interested in speaking. (I know you are, because you're reading this blog!) So, go to the speaking category for Alltop, and you'll find approximately 100 feeds, which get updated about every ten minutes. You'll have instant access to the latest tips, tricks, news, and info -- all from some of the best bloggers on the planet. (I'm honored to report that this 'lil blog is currently included in the Alltop list for speaking blogs -- so if you're a subscriber, your wisdom and good taste is hereby officially validated!)
Subscribe! The first thing I did at Alltop was scan the headlines -- just like when I'm waiting in line at the supermarket. I instantly found new blogs and posts that peaked my interest, so I subscribed immediately. I commented on some, bookmarked others -- all to enhance my own learning and further conversations with experts I admire.
Make friends. Commenting and corresponding with expert bloggers can ignite fresh ideas -- and help build relationships. Reading a blog gives you a sense of the writer's substance and style. If you like what they're saying and they seem approachable -- why not leave a comment -- or three? Many blogs give readers an easy platform for commenting -- so that you can reach out & connect with the writer. (Want to chime in on any post in this blog? Go for it! That's what the "comment" link at the bottom of each post is all about!)
Anti-Social Media. Over lunch last week with Twitter friend Ashima, I voiced a concern that if I'm not careful, participating in social media may make me narrow-minded. After all, it's too easy to subscribe, listen, friend, follow, and fan only the people I admire and respect. To be truly well-rounded, I must make sure to listen carefully to voices that do not share my values or opinions.
That's why I also subscribe to people who write views that differ greatly from my own. If social media keeps me informed, I can also use the social media platform to broaden my world view, too. Wouldn't Voltaire approve?
Your Summer of Social Media Love! By all means, use sites like Alltop to find people you respect and admire -- but also stay tuned to people who offer different viewpoints. Subscribe and participate at a variety of blogs, and watch how your synapses will start sparking and firing in new and exciting directions!
PS -- If you haven't subscribed to this blog yet with RSS -- please do. Here's my RSS feed. Put it in your favorite RSS Reader, and voila! Consider yourself subscribed!
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Try The Zero Slide PowerPoint Presentation
You need boundaries. Boundaries can make you a happier, more creative person. Give yourself a boundary like a deadline, and you'll focus on your work. Create a boundary for your workplace -- like a desk -- and it will serve not only as a functional piece of furniture, but as a visual cue to get busy.
Some boundaries are better than others. When it comes to developing your next presentation or speech, try giving yourself a boundary. Deadlines and desks are great, but here ere are four more creative boundaries that can help sharpen your next presentation:
- Limit Your Words. The winners of the Webby Film and Video Awards are restricted to 5 word speeches. Refreshing! Creative! The best speeches from the Webby event demonstrate personality and restraint. By purposely whittling away the non-essential, each word becomes more meaningful.
- Limit Your Graphics. Last month, I gave myself a goal of designing a one-slide PowerPoint presentation. It went so well, I gave myself another goal: a zero slide PowerPoint presentation. Relying on gestures, expressions, and words let my audience imagine what I dared not to show. (Note: some people call zero-slide presentations "conversations" or "performances".)
- Limit Your Print Outs. When audiences ask for a print out of a PowerPoint presentation, I usually provide a web address for them to download it online. If they really want it, they can have it. But because my slides are not my presentation, they provide very little context for my audience. Generally, I'm not going to kill a tree with a print out.
- Limit Your Animations. I'm usually so facially animated, that putting animations in my PowerPoint slides is decidedly overkill. Ditto sound effects. Earlier this week, I threw my head and arms backwards and yowled. If I made PowerPoint perform my animations and sound effects for me, I don't suppose I would have made my point!
What other boundaries make presentations more powerful?
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Top 2 Reasons to Love Technical Difficulties
"There is something technically wrong..."
Those of us who participate at Twitter are frequently greeted with the above phrase for the past few weeks. The image accompanying the message is a flock of cheerful little birds trying to lift a whale. And while there have been some grumbles about the rampant outages... ...the frequent bouts of technical difficulties at Twitter actually give me some cheer!
Here are two reasons to rejoice over technical difficulties:
- How can you be mad when you are presented with such a charming picture? A whale and several tweety birds, struggling together? This image represents that Twitter is experiencing stress -- thousands of individual peeps are taking down the system. And a dedicated team of Twitter folks are working to make the system strong again. My, it does my heart good! Power to the Peeps!
- Hey, we all experience technical difficulties from time to time. Growth can be painful. (Remember adolescence?) I don't know how Twitter is making any money at the moment, but they currently enjoy a fabulous and growing fan base. And they greet their audience with a sense of humor. I can be patient while they grow. I empathize.
There's something to learn from Twitter technical difficulties. The next time you're giving a presentation and something goes technically wrong -- do you have the emotional and/or intellectual equivalent of a whale and a dozen tweety birds in your back pocket? (Over the next few months, I can pretty much guarantee I'll be experiencing technical difficulty here at the Maniactive blog! I'm shaking things up and switching stuff around -- but I hope you'll bear with me while I grow and change.)
If you need to get hold of me -- and I'm experiencing technical difficulties -- why not try a social media approach? Feel free to follow me at Twitter -- or friend me at FaceBook!
It's summer -- a fine time to get social!
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Find Odd Sound Effects
 Sometimes, you need a special sound effect for your PowerPoint presentation.
Earlier this year, I needed a horse whinny to help tell my story.
Really! (Don't ask.)
However, I didn't have fast access to a horse. So what to do?
Where to find an unusual sound effect for your presentation?
I found my horse whinny -- and many other odd sound effects -- at FindSounds. This website scours the internet and finds all kinds of animal and human noises, as well as vehicles, tools, mayhem, and more.
When you find your sound -- be mindful of the copyright if you choose to use it!
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Improve YouTube Video Quality
I wrote about improving YouTube video quality with an easy hack over two months ago. I can't believe this easy trick still works, but it does!
Want a better video experience at YouTube?
Here's what you can do, in one easy step:
Type &fmt=18 after the video's URL.
That's it! That's all there is to it!
You can visit the above link to see all the particulars and videos...it's been a popular post!
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