Just Say "No": 10 Ways to Beef up Your Presentation without PowerPoint

When you think about giving a presentation, do you naturally envision creating the perfect PowerPoint slide show?

Although the visual aids will depend upon the size of your audience and the subject matter, it is not always necessary to include a PowerPoint presentation. Here are 10 ways to make your presentation innovative that don't require you to reboot.

Overhead Projectors

Overhead projectors are probably best used for smaller groups -50 people or less - depending on configuration of seating. However, using transparencies can be a quick and effective way to illustrate your point with camera-ready artwork, illustrations, charts and graphs.

Keep in mind the viewability of not only the transparency, but also for audience members who sit behind the projector, as it can often get in the way.

Flip Charts

Flip charts work great for small audiences - 25 people or less - and can be prepared in advance. One benefit of utilizing these charts is that you can draw or write during the presentation or even use blank pages to record your audience's response.

Be sure to have plenty of paper at your disposal, and use bold colors that won't bleed through. In addition, talk directly to your audience before pausing and writing; resume speaking when you are finished. Experts also recommend that you discuss one topic per page. If you want your audience members to continue to view the information on the chart, tear off the pages, and tape them on the wall.

White Boards/Blackboards

Another option to consider is utilizing a white or blackboard. Like flip boards, these are especially beneficial if you don't need to retain the information for display. However, keep in mind that, like flip charts, these boards are best viewed by small audiences. Also, dark colors and clear writing are important for viewing.

Videotape

Often used in classrooms, videotapes are a great way to communicate important information to a group. Many organizations regularly use videotapes in new-hire orientation as a way to introduce new employees to the company and its senior members. Company-prepared videotapes can provide the newbies with information about the organization, industry, product line, services and key figures.

While training programs often benefit from the use of off-the-shelf videotaped programs, producing one in-house can be expensive. However, if it is used frequently, it could be worth the investment.

Audio Tapes

As long as you utilize sufficient amplification methods to ensure that all participants can hear properly, audio tapes work for all audiences sizes. And, the benefit is that you don't have to do all the talking. Playing them alone - or in conjunction with a great slideshow (see below) - can go a long way in capturing the imagination of your participants and introducing them to your own personal experiences.

Photographs/Slides

While transparencies are generally quicker and cheaper, if you have a knack for taking a great photo, you might want to utilize photographs or slides in your presentation. Photographs are often passed among jurors in crime-scene investigations to provide details and evidence. While this is likely not your intent, using photos or slides can connect you with audience members and demonstrate your firsthand knowledge about the subject.

Books

Remember when you were in grade school and the teacher would select a student to read from the book you were discussing? Books are still a handy tool for a presentation - especially if it's a learning situation. It facilitates audience participation.

Handouts

The benefit of handouts is that they work for any sized audience, and participants can use them to take notes. They generally provide an overview of the presentation, so all necessary information is at the audience's fingertips. However, one potential problem is that your audience may become distracted and pay more attention to your handout than to you.

Mockups/Posters

They do it in advertising meetings all the time - they put together an example of what the final product will look like. If you're trying to convince your audience of the benefit of a certain product or service, a mockup or a poster may help you better communicate this information.

Demonstrations

Think you might be the Rachel Ray of the boardroom? Okay, maybe it's not a cooking demonstration, but you could probably cook something up to demonstrate your idea. One organization I worked for explained their benefits package by playing a game as the final exam. We created a large game board that was laid out on the classroom floor and gave employees Beanie Babies® (which they got to keep) as game pieces. Participants would roll the dice to see how many spaces to move, but only after they properly answered a question about their benefits.

Keep in mind when you organize your visual aids, make them simple and easy to understand with minimal content. This ensures that your audience members spend more time listening to you - and less time reading. Also, use large fonts and vibrant colors to highlight important points. And next time you have a presentation to prepare, remember to just say "no" to PowerPoint.