Recently, I attended a presentation that changed my perspective on Power Point. The speaker was Mike Robertson, a motivational speaker.
For me, the underlying message of his talk was ‘How to WOW your audience.’ He use of visuals, slides and videos was unlike anything I’ve seen. His use of Power Point slides was masterful Actually, he utilizes Apple’s version of Power Point, Keynote.
Mike’s previous career was in graphic arts. Because of his unique perspective, Mike has created visuals that are more than slides. They create an experience for his audiences. What’s most impressive is that his slides don’t overshadow his message — they enhance it.
Are You Speaking with Slides the Same Way?
Driving home from the event, I passed by this long-abandoned commercial trailer. I realized that this is a metaphor for most speakers slides decks. They’re run-down, tired and forgettable.
Once-in-a-while, presenters attempt to ‘spruce up’ their slides. They’ll change a font, or add a transition effect. But, it doesn’t make a difference, the slides are still forgettable.
To be transparent, I’ve been anti-Power Point most of my coaching career. But then, I saw a presentation by past NSA president.Dr. John Molidor. He’s a brain scientist. He talked about how the brain takes in information. He discussed how audiences learn today.
Speaking to All Senses
Dr. Molidor convinced me that visuals (slides, videos, pictures) can enhance your talk. Audiences need ongoing stimulation to stay engaged. Well-crafted slides can help you keep their attention. Omitting visuals can dilute the impact of our messages.
Mike Roberston convinced me that slides can transform your message. They can create a WOW factor and leave a lasting impact.
I’ve seen the Promised Land of Power Point. Slides can support your message — bring it to life, but not overtake it.
Take Your Speaking to a New Level
How can you ensure that your slides add to the impact of your talks? How can you create a lasting, positive impact on your audience?
Invest the time to learn the basics of these tools. Mike’s talk convinced me that most speakers — including me — put little effort or imagination into our slides. There is no excuse to not knowing how to create more impactful slides. You Tube videos, books, articles etc. are available on the internet 24/7.
Mike Robertson has a few videos on his You Tube channel. Click here to check them out. You don’t need to become a full-time Power Point expert or graphic artist. But, commit to your audiences to invest the time to create an experience.
Hire someone like Mike. It’s worth the investment to hire an expert. I’ve found this approach saves me money over a long period of time.
Has your speech — and your supporting visuals — become run down? Do they leave the same impression as an abandoned trailer?
Want to create a presentation that people experience, like a beautiful and memorable structure like the Taj Mahal?
Step outside your comfort zone. Create visuals that touch the audience long after your time on stage.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
‘THE Book on Storytelling’
Want to tell business stories that give you an edge, make you stand out, and increase your chances of getting the business?
This step-by-step guide shows you how to craft and deliver stories that:
Increase your confidence
Attract more qualified clients
Inspire others to act on your message
Create deeper levels of trust, in less time
Have more fun when you give presentations
Discover how the best speakers, storytellers and leaders develop and deliver stories that immediately grab audience attention, keep them on the edge of their seats, and inspire them to act on your message.
2000 World Champion of Public Speaking, Ed Tate, CSP says: “This book is outstanding! It will be my new #1 storytelling resource.”
Are You Speaking to WOW? ultima modifica: 2018-03-30T17:01:24-04:00 da Michael Davis
2 Comments
Michael Barnes on April 2, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Great points. According to VAK theory, 40% of people are visual learners, 20% auditory, 40% kinesthetic (touching, doing). Using only one modality misses the majority of your audience. Now, get them engaged and doing things (along with speaking and great visuals) and things are rocking!
"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal.
Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."
Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.
Speaking CPR
5
2018-05-10T09:44:06-04:00
Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.
"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal. Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."
“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me.
Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful. I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”
LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author
Speaking CPR
5
2018-05-10T09:45:38-04:00
LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author
“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me. Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful. I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”
“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for ourTED x Cincinnatievent. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers.I was impressed with howgenuine, exuberant, and in touchhe was with each speaker.
He truly has agift in connecting with the heart of each personhe works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk.All of the speakersraved about his work with them.Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”
Allison Wonders Gars Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati
Speaking CPR
5
2018-03-20T17:08:04-04:00
Allison Wonders Gars Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati
“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for our TED x Cincinnati event. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers. I was impressed with how genuine, exuberant, and in touch he was with each speaker. He truly has a gift in connecting with the heart of each person he works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk. All of the speakers raved about his work with them. Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”
“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss.
Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money.
I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”
Natalie Holder Founder, QUEST Diversity
Speaking CPR
5
2018-03-20T17:33:18-04:00
Natalie Holder Founder, QUEST Diversity
“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss. Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money. I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”
Great points. According to VAK theory, 40% of people are visual learners, 20% auditory, 40% kinesthetic (touching, doing). Using only one modality misses the majority of your audience. Now, get them engaged and doing things (along with speaking and great visuals) and things are rocking!
Thanks for all you do!
Thank YOU, Mike, for your contribution and thoughts.