How to Keep the Audience's Attention During a Presentation

Presentations [and presentation templates] may either be excellent or awful. Even "good" presentations that are well-organized but don't stand out, can often end up being terrible. Dull presentations can cause a roomful of focused professionals turn into a roomful of tired zombies, checking their phones and counting the slides, which ultimately is hazardous for your reputation. 

The best presenting techniques, such as preparing and carefully planning your presentation, or maybe taking the help of professionally designed Google Slides templates, are crucial to producing a top-notch performance. The tiny things, like the speaking and body language techniques, will help keep your audience interested long enough to hear what you have to say.

Here are 10 techniques for grabbing the audience's attention

1. Begin with a startling statement

Don't begin a presentation with a standard introduction to your subject, which is vague and clumsy. Why not provide a hint of your big conclusion at the beginning? 

For instance, if your presentation leads up to the idea that your business can alter how people communicate, begin by outlining the vision for that shift. People will be curious to learn how you got there if you can pique their attention straight away. The same applies to the utilization of startling figures or eye-opening data.

2. Relate a tale

Stories automatically appeal to people. We find it far simpler to listen and connect to a tale rather than to a list of facts or assertions. This is because narratives are an evolutionary social tool we employ to transmit experiences. 

Turn everything you can in your presentation into a narrative. Employ vivid analogies, real-life examples, and original instances to support your arguments. People will want to pay attention if you can include more storylines in your main presentation. You can take the help of Google Slides themes to get help backup your storytelling.

3. Deviate from the path

It's always a good idea to rehearse your presentation a few times and prepare it in advance. However, you should generally stop using the cue cards entirely once you're on stage. The lines you have practiced, and those you haven't will be obvious to the audience. As a result of being so comfortable and invested in your presentation, you should even be able to speak about it naturally in your sleep. 

4. Adjust the voice's pitch to convey emotion

You really shouldn't be the one giving a presentation if you aren't emotionally committed to what you're presenting. Make sure you convey that sentiment to the audience. Be enthusiastic about the answers you suggest. Make your speech more credible by using passionate voice timbres. 

5. Make use of loud and soft power

Even if you elicit some emotion from your audience, speaking in a monotone will dull them. Certain parts of your presentation are undoubtedly more interesting and significant than others. To emphasize the disparities, make use of the strength of your voice. Speak softly when you can. When you want to emphasize anything, however, speak louder.

6. Change up the pace

When discussing background material that most listeners are already familiar with or when recapping prior portions, speak quickly. It seems sensible to change up your pace. When introducing a crucial detail, however, speak slowly. 

7. Identify specific audience members

Since you may not be able to estimate the demographics or level of audience engagement until the day of your presentation, this one calls for some improvisation. Try to include certain individuals from the audience in your presentation. This can comprise bringing them onto the stage for a demonstration or doing something far less harmful, like pointing at them to emphasize a point.

8. Prepare a few jokes

Even the most serious subjects require a comic interlude. It's your responsibility to make your audience laugh throughout the presentation if you want to keep it interesting. You'll be able to hold their attention longer if you can make them smile or, at the very least, make them chuckle. While your jokes should be suitable, don't be scared to go outside of the box since confident, surprising humor tends to increase likeability.

9. Skip the data

Avoid over-using statistics or boring facts if you can. Put them on a backdrop slide so viewers can see them without needing to see your presentation. People don't go to lectures to hear material they could read on their own. They want fresh perspectives and ideas that resonate with them.

10. By no means read a slide

Last but not least, you should never read straight off a slide when giving a presentation (assuming you have some kind of slideshow in the background). The slides are accessible to the audience. Their intellect will be insulted if you read those slides aloud, and your presentation will become unbearably dull. Let your slides speak for themselves and use a distinct style of speech.

To sum up

Why would you allow your presentation to be dull when it doesn't have to be? Use these ten helpful tips to maintain your audience's attention and interest in your content. 

Creating a presentation masterpiece takes knowledge, practice, and persistence. To avoid repeating your errors, start with a template. If you are reluctant to spend on premium templates, you can always try out free PowerPoint templates before investing. The ready-to-use templates will help you communicate your message effectively.

AUTHOR: Aditya Kumar Singh

AUTHOR BIO: Aditya Kumar Singh having 4+ years of experience in the field of content writing is an extremely diligent and hardworking person. Technical being his personal favorite, he has also written articles for sports and education. He indulges himself in reading investment-based books, trading options, and equities.