In the world of presentations, whiteboarding is gaining steam. The process of drawing on the fly the visuals that support your content is an interactive and compelling way to keep your audience engaged with your presentation. However, many of us shy away from this powerful tool due to a lack of confidence in our ability to draw.
While have an artistic background is helpful it is not mandatory when mastering the whiteboard. With these 4 tips, you can move from artistically challenged to impactful engagement.
Keep it simple.
One of the fatal flaws of a whiteboarding session is over-complication. The more complex your illustration the more difficult it becomes to follow. Keeping your visuals easy to read ensures your visuals support your content and keep your audience connected long-term. Consider using simple figures with as few lines as possible. This will ensure ease of reading and understanding.
Tell a story.
Creating a cohesive whiteboard flow will allow your visuals to tell a story that leaves an impression on your audience. Consider keeping all visuals connected rather than segmented and use a zoom in and out approach to focus on the finer details. A compelling whiteboard will follow a flow similar to an infographic.
Practice, practice, practice.
Becoming an effective whiteboarder requires hours of practice. As a presenter, the last thing you want is to be worried about remembering your content as well as what you are trying to draw. Consider practicing enough that the visual whiteboard is second nature and does not require much thought. This will allow you to focus on your content and delivery leaving your audience on the edge of their seat.
Ensure you can see.
There is nothing worse than a dying whiteboard marker. Not only are they difficult to read but they distract you from your end goal which is delivering a compelling story. Be sure to test your markers before use as well as leverage dark colors that are thicker to ensure your audience can see what you are creating. Keeping your visuals easy to see will keep your audience engaged and tuned in.
Whiteboarding is a powerful tool that every presenter should master. It allows you to utilize impactful visuals on the fly when you are asked to present without much time to prepare. By implementing these 4 tips you have everything you need to not just draw a compelling story but to deliver an effective presentation that leaves a lasting impact.
Looking to learn more about how to deliver a presentation with excellence? Contact the team today to find out how we can help.
