You’re struggling to keep your audience engaged. How can you make your presentations more captivating?

You have to care more than the audience or they’ll feel it and know you’re there for a paycheck. Bring some energy and get passionate about the topic. That doesn’t mean acting like a clown, but people often lose the audience, not because of the content, but the enthusiasm of the presenter. Also, for goodness sake, get rid of the long winded PowerPoint slides. You can have a few, but if you’re going to read them to the audience, they’re mentally checking out. -Know your audience -Know your subject -Bring your enthusiasm -Love what you do & tell them how your story, idea, product, will solve their problems, or make things easier for them.

Never underestimate the power of story for engaging an audience. They will remember your main points if they are engrossed in the story attached to them. Also, well-timed humor can snap an audience back to attention after a long point or a lot of details.

The process of captivating the audience's minds requires the presenter to find a way to intellectually stimulate their learning. One of the approaches that I have found very stimulative is by using a "comparison". For example, when I create two lists, one for data collection tools in quantitative research and the other for data collection tools for qualitative research, side by side, the audience are engaged more meaningfully with the contents and ask more purposeful questions, seeking further clarifications. The comparison approach can be even comparing two pictures, two diagrams, etc of competing contents/paradigms.

In today's fast-paced world, keeping an audience engaged during a presentation is akin to holding someone's attention in a room full of distractions (because hello... there ARE a ton of distractions, mainly of the digital varietal). The key is to start by knowing your audience. Understand their interests, pain points, and what they hope to gain from your presentation. This knowledge allows you to tailor your content in a way that resonates with them.

Actually I disagree with a portion of the response above in part regarding refraining from jargon, technical terms, and acronyms. I actually think using the "right" jargon can be helpful if "YOU KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE". Using the right slang can show that your message can be relatable and is relevant. I would only caution ⚠️ to ensure you are being your authentic self though. If you are 'trying' too hard, it can show and detract from your message.

3 simple steps to present like a pro: 1. Weave personal anecdotes or relatable stories into your presentation. Open with an attention-grabbing narrative that resonates with your audience. 2. Utilize visuals or demonstrations to amplify key points. 3. Encourage participation through Q&A sessions or thought-provoking exercises. Conclude by inspiring action, urging them to apply your insights in their lives for tangible results. You got this!

Use Storyline and like the story telling style, start with engaging questions for audience. Give audience some suspense and them bring out the final point.

A 3 layered approach to preparing and structuring content that I've found useful 1) Start with 'what's the bottom line of my presentation'(key points) and what do I want from my audience(expectations) 2) Move to adding insights from data, research and supporting info (not the data itself) - link this to action expected from your audience.(know your audience well) 3) Finally make it visually powerful - visual aids, limiting content on each slide. The below questions help to check if the presentation and presenter are ready *What's the story behind your presentation * What do you want your audience to remember or do *Is your message coming out in the most powerful and engaging way *Are you prepared with possible questions

A clear structure in your presentation is crucial. It's the framework that guides your audience through your narrative. Start with a compelling introduction, follow with a well-organized body, and conclude with a memorable closing. This organization helps your audience follow your logic and stay engaged.

99% of people forget to talk about "why now" - why is NOW the right time for this intervention/product etc Timing is extremely important to success.

Use Videos and Pictures to bring out the relativity and put them into your Story. Prefer sharing your part of story in line with the audience's connect. Use Visuals, photos and graphs as per the audience. Avoid any clustered or multi-colored visuals rather use neat and vibrant colors in a themed combination. Avoid too much text like paragraphs or statements.

Visual aids are powerful tools. They can transform abstract concepts into tangible visuals, making your message more relatable and easier to grasp. But remember, simplicity is key. Overloading slides with information can be counterproductive.

Well, think of your presentation like a book :) While the story (your speech) is essential, the illustrations (visual aids) can really bring it to life. Visual aids add color and depth to your words, helping to clarify complex ideas, highlight key points, or stir emotions.

Visual aids are exactly that, visual aids! Do not confuse visual aids with your presentation - they are an aid to your presentation. Personally, I use them sparingly, I do not want people to be reading text heavy slides or trying to understand difficult charts & graphs - I want them to be listening to me. Your visual aids should help to reinforce your key messages, not distract from them!

I love including photos or clip art to help get my point across. If a slide is too dense, no one will be able to follow it, so keep it simple and graphically pleasing.

Using tools like menti, kahoot or slido can raise the level of interaction by many folds. Those tools allow the audience to use their mobile phones to interact with the presentation while also being anonymous so that even introverts can participate with a lot of psychological safety.

Interactive with an audience is key. I like to ask questions and get people to raise their hands and will raise mine from stage to encourage people do do this too. Something simple like a questions everyone can relate to at the start is a winner. It immediately has people think. Recently my friend's daughter presented at her school to be the Year 6 captain. She asked who has seen toy story? Who was your favourite character and build the speech from there. It was a powerful way to interact with the audience.

Whenever you are struggling to engage your audience, when you are presenting, you must always try and include them in something. You need to get some interaction from them whether it be with the person sat next to them, small groups, or even some sort of participative quizwhether it be hands up on a mobile phone or shouting answers out. You need to create some energy.

Being relatable is the best way to keep an audience engaged. All the tools listed here are great - but make sure to keep some direct eye contact. Pick a few people out to speak directly to, especially in a large group. Finding a way to engage someone in specific can help break the ice for others - even better if you can offer an example of how you worked together to solve a situation (as long as it related to the presentation at hand!).

Making the audience the center of the presentation is the first step. Using an activity that puts the audience in the driver's seat is second. Being a guide on the side who can facilitate learning builds connections and makes the audience a part of the experience rather than spectators.

The fastest way to lose your audience is to be too consistent. When your slides look the same... when you read from your slides... when you share fact after fact in the same tone of voice... you will lose them. To keep your audience engaged, add variety. - Even the driest topics need some humor. - Weave in stories (there are some great insights from other contributors to this article!) - Move. Don't pace. But do move around. Spend some time on different parts of the stage or in different parts of the room. - Use your face. Express emotions. Make eye contact. Smile. Frown. Look confused, if that's the point you're making. - #1... vary your tone and pitch. Quiet your voice to bring emphasis. Slow down speed up. This alone is HUGE!

While presenting any content, the presenter shall have eye contacts with the audience. This helps in 2 ways, 1. People can see the confidence in Presenters eye making them believe in his content 2. Presenter can sense if the audience is connected or feeling bored. This is where presenter should make a move to engage and break the ice to make it more engaging.

Something I always get asked about is using humor as a powerful tool to engage and connect with your audience. My recommendation is: use it carefully and consider the sensitivities of your audience and the overall tone of your presentation. Here are some examples: Starting your presentation with a light-hearted joke that relates to your topic can help capture your audience's attention and set a positive tone, or sharing a funny anecdote or personal story that aligns with your message can add value to your presentation and improve audience participation. On the other hand, using disrespectful humor, making jokes about sensitive or unrelated topics, can offend, confuse or disengage your audience, damaging the impact of your presentation.

To keep the audience interested, start with an interesting question or story, use eye-catching visuals and involve them with creative short games. Use different types of media, tell a story and add some lighter moments/ humour. Keep your talk organized, share personal stories to connect and use props. Surprise them with unexpected facts, ask questions and speak like you're chatting or informal talk.

Presentations are something offered or given. If you give a gift to your friend and he/she does not like it; what do you do? You ask your friend what they prefer and change it, right? Similarly when the audience does not accept your presentation ; ask what they would prefer to do and shift the approach.

Burst with energy and positive attitude, it's contagious. Keep it simple - don't use big words and long sentences. Be specific. Share something - real examples, real experiences. Give solutions and guidelines that are ready-to-go.

The simple and most effective way to engage an audience is to read the room. You need to be able to throw away all your plans, slides, structures, props, and ego if they don't serve carrying the message.