subject: Why Should You Use Audio Visuals? [print this page] Does it really make sense to use audiovisuals in every presentation? Find out why you need them and how they'll help you create a more powerful impact.
Why Use AV Supplementation?
Nearly two-thirds of the population includes people who learn visually. In other words, you cannot grab and retain an audience if you rely only on the spoken word to convey your message. Conversely, too much visual information can cause your audience to become distracted from your message, which is why audiovisuals must be used in moderation, where appropriate, and with a sense of balance.
Ideally, you would incorporate audiovisuals (such as slides, or a PowerPoint presentation on a rental projector) to emphasize key points in your presentation, and to really drive home your takeaway bullet points.
How Many is Too Many?
The short answer is: it depends. You would want to take all of the following into consideration:
1. Is your data highly technical or visual?
2. Is it complex to understand?
3. Is there supporting information in the form of charts, research results, or illustrative graphs?
4. Is your audience already familiar somewhat with the material, or will the presentation be more educational in nature?
5. Are you presenting a variety of concepts, or one central theme?
6. Is your audience on the same level with regards to prior understanding and knowledge, or will you be speaking to a broad spectrum of participants?
7. Is your presentation one-sided in nature, or more interactive?
8. Are you presenting on a highly technical topic with complex supporting data and statistical support?
9. Are your audience members more analytical in nature?
10. Is your presentation more subjective or objective?
Answering these kinds of questions will help you determine the extent to which you will need to supplement your oral delivery with visual images.
What Format Is Best?
Handouts have advantages in that they allow your participants to make notes and interact with the data, as well as having a tangible resource to take with them. However, this is not a "green" option as it requires a great deal of printing and paper waste, especially for larger audiences.
Charts that display statistical data or graphs can be very useful, but only if they are easily visible, portable, and designed for clarity and visual impact.
A slide show is perhaps the most versatile format, as it allows you to move fluidly through your data, as well as to showcase key points and incorporate charts, graphs, images, and video. The easiest way to incorporate a slide show is with a PowerPoint rental projector and a laptop.
