Never Let PowerPoint Be Your Downer

We’ve all seen communicators perhaps there’s some in your organization or your industry where they’re not using PowerPoint.

They’re walking around they’re loose they’re walking up to people in the audience they’re gesturing they look relaxed comfortable confident and they come across well.

Now they’re giving a so-called formal PowerPoint presentation.

What happens to them.

All of a sudden they’re practically huddled over the computer or they’re staying right next to the lectern where the controls are they’re frozen they’re stiff they’re distanced from the audience.

Why.

You don’t have to.

Now one reason people do it is they’ve created such a horrible awful PowerPoint deck and that’s got one hundred and eighty nine slides.

So they have to stand right next where they’re like one of those birds plastic birds at the checkout of a gas station used to see where it’s kind of like this.

Boop boop boop.

It’s so consistent because they’re having to tap every two seconds and it’s just an awful visual experience for the audience.

There’s nothing you’re doing during a PowerPoint presentation that should be any different than how you are when you’re coming across your very best in a non PowerPoint presentation.

In my experience audiences respond much more favorably to speakers who walk around the room and I don’t mean pacing nervously back and forth.

It has to be purposeful.

Occasionally you stop but you’re mixing it up sometimes you’re close to someone on the left side of the room front row.

Sometimes you’re on the right.

You may walk down the middle the back.

The point is there’s variety and you’re getting close to people in the audience.

And if it’s a bigger room then by all means use a remote control incredibly inexpensive.

Your company doesn’t have one or can’t afford it or budget by your own.

They’re cheap.

Have your own personal private remote control.

It’s not a big deal.

That way you can move around naturally.

So many people tell themselves.

Well of course I like to move around and be comfortable and commanding on the stage.

I can’t.

This is a powerpoint.

Of course I have to stand here like I’m chained to the desk or chained to the lap.

No you’re not.

You are in charge of how you come across and you can come across incredibly comfortable confident relaxed and authoritative by moving around the room purposefully at all times with or without a PowerPoint.