What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to become lousy communicators? Why do our speeches or presentations lose much of their steam when we use overheads?
Well, for starters, we often give more attention to the overheads than the audience. It can't be helped. After all, we have to pick up the right overhead, separate it from the next one, get it on the projector properly, check it out on the screen, and so on.
While doing those things, we're taking our eyes off the audience. At the same time, the audience spends a lot of time looking at the screen, rather than at us. And, nothing detracts from good communication like loss of eye contact with the audience.
We're also taking our mind off the audience. Instead, we're focusing our thoughts on the technical issues involved in showing the overhead, including our explanations of the visuals.
Then there's the amount of material. Almost every time I see a speech with overheads, I see way too much content. One of the best lessons I've learned in several years at Toastmasters is that less is more. Don't try to explain everything to your audience, just pick one small sliver of an issue and explain it well - a speech is not a book or a written article!
And, then there's the simple fact that the projector gets between you and the audience. There's noise and the size of the projector, which mean a projector can be a more powerful presence at the front of the room than you.
Perhaps there should be a 12-step program for getting over overhead projectors. While they're unlikely be an addiction, they can be a crutch, one that allows us to make presentations without adequate thought or preparation.
Personally, I like the idea of giving up overheads and projectors altogether. A colleague recently asked if we should use overheads when we do some upcoming presentations together. I expressed my opinion firmly. Need I say what that was?
If you're not ready to give them up, use your overheads in a supporting role. Don't ask them to carry a substantial part of the message; you should deliver the message, and the overheads should reinforce what you say.
For example, if your presentation involves numerical information, a simple bar or line graph might help the audience get the point. Or, if you're talking about a sequence of events and their order is critical, a numbered list might help.
But the best bet may be to go without. Before the presentation, think hard about the message or messages you want to convey. Boil them down into no more than three points, and then look for stories, analogies, metaphors, and anything else that will illustrate and reinforce each point. Try to create mental images with words, like good radio ads.
In summary, overhead projectors put serious communication barriers between speakers and audiences. Get rid of them. You'll be glad you did - and your audience will, too.
Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
How?Try a blueprint like this: people act on their own... Read More
First of all, what is a bio sheet and why... Read More
Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More
The communication process can be much more difficult than a... Read More
First and foremost, you must deal effectively with your own... Read More
Usually the emphasis on making an effective speech is what... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Does the thought of speaking in front of others send... Read More
MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More
I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More
The social skills of a small businessperson, franchisee, independent contractor... Read More
Whether you are speaking in front of a civic group... Read More
THE LITTLE-KNOWN SPEECHWRITING SECRETS THAT WON GEORGE W. BUSH THE... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
If you are taking your newest products to a trade... Read More
What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More
I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More
Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More
People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More
What is stage presence? Can it be learned?There are, undoubtedly,... Read More
Whenever and whatever you're pitching, dozens of factors will figure... Read More
If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
ALTERNATIVES TO THE LECTURE FORMAT: How often do you use... Read More
KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More
Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More
I had a chance to go to one of those... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
Some speakers say, "I could never use humor in my... Read More
Like most good achievements, a magnificent meeting depends on planning... Read More
Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More
Remember back when the ability to create a slide show... Read More
SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATIONS: All of us have seen demonstrations in one... Read More
Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4... Read More
DEVELOPING LESSON PLANS: In developing lesson plan formats, two things... Read More
Many experienced trainers feel that there is something lacking in... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More
First of all, what is a bio sheet and why... Read More
Appealing to emotions is the most powerful way to transfer... Read More
Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More
If you really aware and alert, your audience's behavior -... Read More
You have presentation style habits that automatically appear when you... Read More
As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More
Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "a giving or exchanging of... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
Summer is here! It's time to bring out your summer... Read More
(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More
MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
THE LITTLE-KNOWN SPEECHWRITING SECRETS THAT WON GEORGE W. BUSH THE... Read More
Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the... Read More
Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More
ALTERNATIVES TO THE LECTURE FORMAT: How often do you use... Read More
The most important tip...EVER!Make sure that you always think of... Read More
A client recently called to say she was going to... Read More
How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More
What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
Presentation |