What presentations do you have coming up? Maybe you’re presenting new promo ideas to a long-time client. Or perhaps you’re taking a deep dive during an internal meeting. Whatever presentations are on your calendar, you can take them to the next level by making them more interactive.

During a standard presentation, you may stand at the front of the room and click through slides. But in an interactive one, you can transform attendees from passive listeners to active participants. Elizabeth Perry, the content marketing manager at BetterUp, says about 90% of people admit to daydreaming during presentations, which can impact comprehension. You can help grab and retain their attention with an engaging presentation. We share Perry’s thoughts on how to do this in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

1. Start with a fun icebreaker. Depending on the type of presentation you’re giving, you may want to kick things off with a simple icebreaker. Perry says doing so can help everyone relax, set the tone and encourage participation in what’s to come.

2. Tell a story. Perry recommends introducing your talk with a personal anecdote and use it to create a framework for your presentation. This can create a rapport with your audience, helping them relate to you through empathy or shared experience.

3. Keep them engaged with a quiz. Maybe you quiz participants on the history of promo or the most popular products. Perry says apps like Kahoot are great for adding an interactive quiz because people can join in on their smartphones.

4. Encourage Q&A. Many presenters save time at the end for questions, but it’s more engaging to invite discussion throughout the presentation. The information will be fresher in their minds, Perry says, and a moment of conversation helps break up the presentation.

5. Show the promo in action. Instead of talking about a specific promo, let your audience touch and feel the item. This kind of hands-on interaction can make a more significant impact than words alone, Perry says.

6. Remember to move. Moving around the room is a simple way to keep people engaged in what you’re saying. This can be especially helpful if you’re presenting to a large group because you can speak directly to different sections of the audience.

7. Send a post-presentation survey. This provides your audience with one last chance to share their thoughts or concerns with you, Perry says. You can also use the feedback to learn what you can improve before your next presentation.

By making your presentations more interactive, you can help build stronger connections and create a memorable experience. If you’re taking the time to meet with prospects, clients or employees, make the most of your time by trying out some of the interactive methods above.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Elizabeth Perry is the content marketing manager at BetterUp.