In just a little over a week, Pokémon Go has invaded every workplace, household, business, and park. The free Android and iOS app has recruited more daily active users than Tinder and is fast approaching Twitter’s numbers. With the average person spending approximately 43 minutes a day within the mobile game, it’s evident that people are attracted to many features of the app. And many of these desirable characteristics are capable of replication in the presentation environment. Here are 4 Pokémon Go-inspired ways presenters can enhance their presentations:
1. Create a narrative journey your audience can join
In Pokémon Go, users’ real life experiences are molded with the virtual one created within the app to create an “augmented reality.” In other words, the game physically puts players in the Pokémon world – encouraging them to embark on a journey to catch ‘em all. The virtual character can even be customized by the individual player. A presenter can achieve the same effect by placing attendees in the narrative of a presentation. For example, using the second person in your presentation content helps audience members picture themselves in whatever situation you are describing as part to convey your main message. Try using a hero’s journey narrative, but cast the audience as the hero instead of your brand or company.
2. Provide an “achievement experience”
According to a recent article from Wired, Pokémon Go and the greater Pokémon franchise aims to deliver an “achievement experience.” As your array of Pokémon increases and your Pokedex fills up, the more supplies you can gather to train and advance your characters. Utilizing basic knowledge of psychological behavior, the Pokémon franchise designed the app to buzz whenever you are near a Pokémon, pokestop, or training gym. What Pokémon Go accomplishes through a subtle buzz, a presenter can recreate through a distinct sound – such as a buzzer or background noise/music or even a visual cue. For example, if an audience member responds to a question, nod your head to show engagement and an overall positive response. Follow up this visual cue with a sweet treat, discount card, or other enticing surprise.
3. Inject exclusivity throughout your presentation
As an added layer to the Pokémon Go, players have the opportunity to make various in-app purchases that provide an exclusive advantage within the game. One prime example of the app’s exclusive offerings is Lures – which produces a pink flow on a particular pokestop, indicating to nearby hunters that the number of Pokémon created there will increase for 30 minutes. Skeptical about the ability to translate this into a real world scenario? According to a recent Inc. article, small businesses have capitalized on the popularity of the game to drive sales by purchasing Lures and sitting back as the crowd flock to the establishments. Include exclusive components through your presentation by putting a cap on the amount of event attendees permitted to participate or by reserving front row seats for early bird registrants. Just as Pokémon Go fanatics are willing to invest in Lures to gain an exclusive resource in your Pokémon-catching toolbox, your audience will be motivated by limited availability and perks like really great seats – gladly putting in the extra effort, time, or money to attain exclusivity.
4. Tap into a shared interest
Country artist Kris Kristofferson communicated the power of the phenomenon, nostalgia.
The decades-long affair most people have maintained with Pokémon built a strong foundation for the release of Pokémon Go. Droves of nostalgic fans and their converted children immediately took their mobile devices on a quest to capture Pikachu, Squirtle, and Mew. For those who always dreamed they could catch and collect the fictional creatures, Pokémon Go has helped them realize a world of possibility. Presenters should tap into a shared emotional or intellectual objective among their audience. Craft a presentation theme that reflects or represents a universal issue, problem, feeling, or experience and watch your message spread like wildfire.
As more and more people become accustomed to the augmented reality through apps like Pokémon Go, New York University integrated digital media lecturer Mark Skwarek told MarketWatch that the experience will surpass virtual reality. Not only will it be more accessible, but it will also assimilate flawlessly in our daily lives. All the more reason for presenters to hide their valuable messages like Pokémon, awaiting capture by a motivated and attentive audience. To learn more presentation tips, peruse the articles below:
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