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
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
Delivering humorous speeches involves a lot more than simply having... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
Like most good achievements, a magnificent meeting depends on planning... Read More
As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More
Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More
Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes... Read More
This article will help you to assess and maximise the... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar... Read More
How many times have you attended a meeting where the... Read More
Tip #1 The purpose of your speech is to get... Read More
Once upon a time????."Yeah right, don't tell us a story,... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
You're in a conference room. You're giving a PowerPoint presentation... Read More
People love stories. We love to hear about other people,... Read More
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More
When its time to give your next sales presentation, here... Read More
Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More
You have presentation style habits that automatically appear when you... Read More
When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More
Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More
Ever had that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing where to... Read More
People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More
MORE and more corporations in Malaysia have awoken to the... Read More
How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More
Exhibiting in a trade show can involve a major investment... Read More
Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and... Read More
MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More
Here, David Letterman style, are what I consider to be... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes... Read More
When its time to give your next sales presentation, here... Read More
Tip #1 The purpose of your speech is to get... Read More
A trade show is an ideal way of showcasing your... Read More
Many experienced trainers feel that there is something lacking in... Read More
I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
Imagine you are the most amazing figure skater who ever... Read More
Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More
It is both good planning and considerate to provide auditors... Read More
KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More
You're in a conference room. You're giving a PowerPoint presentation... Read More
We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More
How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
Every day, so many tens of thousands of innocent clients... Read More
People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More
In recent years, companies have recognized the need to expand... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar... Read More
People love stories. We love to hear about other people,... Read More
Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More
Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More
Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More
There are four different ways that audience members assimilate information.... Read More
Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and... Read More
"I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. In the right... Read More
LESSON PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Lesson plans, believe it or not, are... Read More
Presentation |