m62 visualcommunications, the global leader in presentation effectiveness, has today debunked one of the most common ‘tips’ given when delivering presentations – that you should turn the lights off to view the PowerPoint slides.
Presenters are typically keen that their animations and
PowerPoint Design can be clearly seen by turning the lights off.Yet this is not necessary, as projectors are now powerful enough for the slides to be seen in a normally lit room. In fact, studies have shown that turning off the lights during a presentation can actually be detrimental in aim.
The main objective when giving a business or
sales presentation is to keep the audience focused and to thus ensure maximum recall afterwards. Presenter and slides should work together to deliver the message. In turning off the lights, the presenter’s importance is diminished and the audience may disengage. Not only this, but turning the lights off makes it difficult to take notes, and can even put the audience to sleep! A sleepy audience will not remember your message.
Nicholas Oulton, Founder of m62 said: “Presentations should be engaging and memorable, and it is vital to make sure that you focus the audience’s attention in the right direction, utilising both the presenter and visual aids to maximise attentiveness. Turning the lights off encourages the audience to ignore the presenter and makes it almost impossible to retain eye contact, thus losing the presenter’s functionality.”
In a campaign to help emphasise the importance of using a combination of visual aids and engaging speech, m62 have produced free
PowerPoint templates that impress, but do not distract. m62 templates include subtle animations to keep people alert and paying attention, aiding audience concentration just as keeping the lights on does.
m62 has delivered over 6,500 presentations for a variety of blue chip brands including Microsoft, BP, Sony and Toyota since its inception in 1997.
For more information about m62 visualcommunications, please call 0151 259 6262 or visit m62.net.
