Interactive Presentations: The Ultimate Guide [With Case Studies]
Elevate your audience engagement with this ultimate guide, complete with real-world case studies.
Welcome to mmhmm's ultimate guide to interactive presentations! We live in a world where 80% of workplace presentations are delivered remotely, so mastering the art of engaging virtual communication is paramount.
Yet, despite the availability of more interactive tools, a staggering 89% of people still turn to PowerPoint to put together their slide deck.
In this guide, we're on a mission to revolutionize your approach, offering a step-by-step playbook, valuable tips, and compelling case studies that will turn your traditional slideshows into captivating, interactive presentations that leave a lasting impact.
Get ready for a deep dive into the world of interactive presentations, enriched with insights, strategies, and real-world success stories. Let's change the way you present today.
Transforming your presentations into interactive experiences is a game-changer.
Why an interactive presentation is the future
Say goodbye to static presentations and hello to interactive storytelling. Traditional presentations, with their static slides and one-way delivery risk audience disengagement, information overload, and a lack of real-time interaction.
But, as 65% of the population are visual learners and a huge 65% of people claim to be more easily persuaded by a presentation that incorporates elements of two-way interactivity, the time has come to ditch the PowerPoint slide deck and leverage the rich visuals and engaging multimedia elements that resonate more deeply with your target audience.
Simply put, audience participation transforms a passive session into an engaging conversation.
You might have guessed this, but at mmhmm, we're big fans of a more interactive presentation. Especially because in a recent survey a fifth of people admitted to looking at another screen constantly during a presentation. What's the point in spending all that time creating your slide deck—and most workers in the USA create at least one per week—when no one is going to pay attention to it?
Making a presentation interactive helps you break free from the one-way, talking-at-you vibe of traditional slide decks. Here's why we love them and why we've built our business around them:
An interactive presentation caters to diverse learning styles. Visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? It's got each of you covered.
It addresses the challenge of information overload by allowing for a more focused, modular delivery.
You can break the ice with your participants and connect more deeply with your audience.
Fostering collaboration, understanding, and—if you're like us—a bit of fun too, can help you deliver a more impactful, memorable message.
What are the key elements of an interactive presentation?
You understand the power of a more engaging slide deck, but how do you create an interactive presentation? Fear not, that's our specialty.
In this guide, we'll help you learn to craft engaging content and incorporate interactive features—like polls, games, quizzes, clickable buttons, and more that transform your communication from static to sensational.
Creating engaging content: The power of storytelling and data visualization
Uniting ideas with emotion creates a powerful way to persuade your audience. Storytelling makes your message 22 times more memorable and more engaging than a set of facts. So, when you're presenting, let your content breathe with life. Share anecdotes and invite action on them, use case studies, and take your audience on a journey that helps them confront and overcome their pain points.
But an interactive presentation isn't just about words. Use data visualization to bring numbers and statistics that back up your story and create compelling arguments to life. Graphs, charts, and infographics can turn data into a compelling visual story.
Then, why not play with the data visualization tools in mmhmm Studio to engage your audience as you present to them? Want your clients to focus on a single data point? Climb into the graph and point it out to them.
Transforming complex information into digestible, visually appealing graphics makes it more understandable, engaging, and persuasive.
How do you make a presentation interactive? Clickable buttons, live polls, and more…
Now, let's add the magic touch – the interactive features that bring your presentation to life:
Clickable buttons:
Invite your audience to actively engage with your content by directing them to relevant sections, external links, or additional resources.
Live polls:
Transform passive listeners into active participants. Platforms like Mentimeter make it seamless to integrate real-time polls, encouraging audience interaction and providing valuable insights.
Q&A sessions:
Foster direct engagement by incorporating live Q&A sessions. Encourage participants to submit questions as you go through the presentation.
Interactive quizzes:
Break the monotony and assess understanding with interactive quizzes. Platforms like Quizizz make it easy to add quick-fire quizzes to your presentation.
Virtual Whiteboards:
Collaborate in real-time with virtual whiteboards. Encourage participants to share ideas, providing an interactive space for collective creativity.
Gamified elements:
Yes, we mean it! mmhmm's OOOsteroids room, for example, transforms meeting participants into spaceships that need to blast asteroids with a tap of the space bar. Bye bye, the awkward, waiting-for-the-meeting-to-start pause. Hello engaged, interested listeners.
Create an interactive presentation with mmhmm
Ready to get started? Let's walk you through the entire process of creating compelling interactive presentations using mmhmm—including setting up your account, designing visually stunning slides, and then interactive elements to engage your audience.
Read on to transform your presentations into interactive experiences that leave a lasting impact.
Setting up your account with mmhmm
Installation and setup: Before you can create an interactive presentation, you need to begin by downloading and installing mmhmm.app. There are a few system requirements you'll need to check off first:
Operating System: macOS 10.14 or later, Windows 10 (64-bit)
Hardware: 4 GB RAM, 200 MB available storage, and a webcam.
You can either download mmhmm for MAC or Windows 10, or if you prefer you can open mmhmm in your web browser—no additional installation required.
Initial walkthrough: After setup, explore mmhmm's intuitive user interface. Check out this helpful guide for a walkthrough, familiarizing yourself with the main features and functionalities. In brief, this is where you can start getting creative.
Customize your background
There are two main background options in mmhmm, still or dynamic.
Still Backgrounds: Set the stage with a static backdrop that complements your content. Choose from a selection of pre-existing still backgrounds to create the perfect visual atmosphere.
Dynamic Backgrounds: Add an extra layer of engagement with moving backgrounds that you control. These can be tilted for depth adjustment or sped up/slowed down as you prefer. Identify dynamic backgrounds by the play button ▶ on the thumbnail.
You can choose a virtual background already loaded in mmhmm (click on the "Style panel" then "Explore backgrounds" in mmhmm Studio), or add your own custom background. JPG, PNG, GIF, and HEIC files are accepted. For optimal results, use an image with a 16:9 width-to-height pixel ratio, such as 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Alternatively, you can use your real room. In mmhmm Studio, toggle the Background checkbox off in the Style panel to show your actual surroundings.
Customize your appearance
The style panel in the mmhmm Studio also lets you customize how you appear on screen. Create a frame for your face, choose where you sit, move your image around, change your size, fade in or out, or integrate your face into the data you're showing. The options are endless.
Designing your slides for maximum impact
Adding slides and content to your presentation in mmhmm is a breeze. We've made the user interface super intuitive, so it shouldn't take you long to figure it out. Once you've hit on the settings you want, you can also apply these to multiple slides to create a seamless presentation.
Create your slides: This is the easy part. In mmhmm, simply click the "Add slide" button to the left of the slide tray and choose what type of content you want to add. This could include images, screenshots, movie files, a whiteboard, text, or a second camera.
Color schemes and visuals: It's important to choose color schemes that complement your message. Remember, 65% of the population are visual learners, so make your visuals count. Here are some of our top tips for creating visually appealing slides:
Tell stories with your visuals: Infuse your slides with a narrative by incorporating visuals that enhance your message.
Use contrasting colors: To create visually appealing and easily distinguishable elements.
Design custom graphics: To add an engaging touch that resonates with your viewers.
Be consistent with branding: Incorporate your brand colors, fonts, and logos throughout the presentation.
Use data visualization: Present data in a compelling way by utilizing charts, graphs, and infographics.
Making your presentation interactive with mmhmm
One of the features we love about interactive presentations in mmhmm is the chance for participants to navigate slides at their own pace, fostering engagement and catering to individual preferences during the presentation. This interactive approach ensures a more personalized and attentive audience.
You can also keep your presentation dynamic by adjusting your size and position on the screen. Utilize yourself within the presentation to emphasize key points or data to enhance comprehension—or fade yourself out to let the data talk instead.
Finally, increase collaboration and real-time engagement with the mmhmm whiteboard feature to foster participation and enhance the overall learning experience.
5 tips for a more captivating interactive presentation
Creating an interactive presentation that informs and holds your audience's attention requires a strategic approach. Knowing your audience, using high-quality graphics, and practicing are a few of our top tips. Here are more:
1. Tailor your presentation content to your audience
Understanding your audience is the first step towards a compelling presentation. Consider their background, interests, and expectations. Are they industry professionals seeking in-depth insights, or perhaps a diverse group with varying levels of familiarity on the topic? Knowing your audience allows you to make your content relevant and relatable.
Pro Tip: Incorporate anecdotes or examples that resonate with your audience's experiences, connecting them to your content on an emotional level.
2. High-resolution images and video are important
Opt for high-quality images and videos to enhance the professionalism and impact of your presentation. Grainy visuals can be distracting, make data, charts, and text difficult to read, and undermine the overall quality of your content. Invest time in sourcing or creating visuals and video footage that are clear to convey a sense of credibility and attention to detail.
Pro Tip: Leverage graphic design tools like Canva or stock image platforms to find visually striking media that complements your message without compromising resolution.
3. Get interactive from the off
Transform your presentation from a one-way dialogue to an interactive experience. Encourage audience participation through polls, Q&A sessions, or interactive elements. This engagement not only keeps your audience actively involved but also provides valuable insights into their thoughts and perspectives. You could even open one of the mmhmm OOO rooms, like OOOsteroids, to bring in an interactive element while your participants wait for you to start the presentation.
Pro Tip: sharing an interactive video with mmhmm allows participants to navigate slides at their own pace while you present.
4. Practice, but keep it natural
While practice is crucial for a polished delivery, avoid sounding overly rehearsed. Strive for a balance between preparation and a natural, conversational tone. Practice helps refine your content, ensuring a smooth flow, and boosts your confidence, allowing you to navigate unexpected turns with ease.
Pro Tip: Record yourself during practice sessions to identify areas for improvement and enhance your overall interactive presentation style.
5. Weave a compelling narrative
As humans, we're hardwired to connect with stories. Share relatable experiences, challenges, and successes that are tailored to your audience. A well-crafted story captures attention and aids in information retention, making your message more impactful.
Pro Tip: Structure your presentation like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, to guide your audience through a cohesive and engaging journey.
Case studies: Interactive presentations in action
Let's meet Drew Badali, a Toronto-based children's music teacher who has seamlessly blended creativity and technology to turn each of his online lessons into an interactive presentation using mmhmm. We'll also talk about Joe Kwon, a professional coach who has expanded his clientele and saved time by using interactive presentations.
Interactive presentation ideas for educators
Drew's journey into virtual teaching with mmhmm goes beyond mere adaptation to online learning; it's a celebration of engaging, interactive lessons.
By incorporating mmhmm's dynamic backgrounds, Drew immerses his young students in captivating experiences that hold their attention. For instance, a simple song about an apple tree turns into an adventure through a virtual orchard.
The platform's dynamic features allow Drew to create an interactive and visually stimulating environment, ensuring that his young learners are not just viewers but active participants.
Drewchella, Badali's four-week Zoom music festival, showcases the power of an interactive presentation to captivate and hold the attention of young minds. The combination of dynamic backgrounds, props, and interactive elements turns traditional music lessons into lively, immersive experiences. The result is an engaged and enthusiastic group of students, mirroring the energy of an in-person classroom.
Using interactive presentation software for corporate training
Joe Kwon is an executive coach from New Jersey, using mmhmm to redefine virtual presentations. Joe uses mmhmm's dynamic features to create engaging TED Talk-style sessions, captivating his audience with seamless slide integration and virtual storytelling.
Before mmhmm, Joe faced challenges justifying virtual workshops to remote clients. However, mmhmm's versatility has not only validated virtual coaching but has also empowered Joe to expand his clientele without travel constraints.
Joe's creative use of mmhmm extends to his video podcast, "Diversity Bites," where the software has halved his production time, enabling him to maintain a consistent schedule.
Joe notes, "People really enjoy it and they're like, ‘Wow, this guy must be spending like $1,000,000 on this software.’ It just shows how differentiating and impactful mmhmm is."
Which tools can you use to make your presentation interactive?
Luckily for you, interactive presentation software is becoming more and more prevalent. Among the options available, Prezi is good for dynamic, non-linear presentations and interactive elements, Mentimeter excels in real-time audience engagement with polls and quizzes, and we love Haiku Deck's simplicity and beautiful design.
For us, though, mmhmm stands out. It's our go-to choice to make your presentation more interactive. Here's why:
Spotlight on mmhmm
Dynamic presentations:
mmhmm takes presentations to the next level by allowing you to move between slides at your own pace while the presentation is ongoing. This flexibility enhances audience engagement, ensuring they stay connected throughout your talk.
Visual flexibility:
Change your size, and position on the screen, and use yourself to highlight key points.
Green screen magic:
mmhmm's virtual green screen allows you to insert yourself into various backgrounds, giving your presentation a dynamic and professional look.
Seamless setup:
The intuitive interface ensures a smooth onboarding process, and you can explore the platform's features effortlessly. The platform is designed to have you ready in minutes, eliminating any technical barriers.
Common interactive presentation mistakes to avoid
Steering clear of common mistakes is crucial for delivering a compelling experience. Thankfully, here at mmhmm, we've been there and got the t-shirt a few times over. The biggest mistakes? Overwhelming your audience and ignoring mobile users.
Overloading your audience
Less is always more. Try not to overload your presentation with excessive information, risking overwhelming your audience. Striking a balance between depth and conciseness is key to keeping your message clear and engaging. Data visualization comes in handy here—show, don't tell to make your points.
Ignoring mobile users
95% of the world's internet users go online via mobile at least some of the time. That means there's a high chance some of your audience will access your interactive presentation on their phones. Ignoring mobile optimization can lead to a subpar experience for a substantial portion of your audience.
Ensuring that your presentation is seamlessly accessible across various devices enhances inclusivity and maximizes the impact of your message.
How to measure the success of your interactive presentation
Congratulations! You've just shut your computer on your first interactive presentation. You think it went well, but how do you know for sure? How can you justify the investment in interactive presentation software to your higher-ups? By evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect audience engagement and overall impact. Here are essential metrics to consider:
Engagement rate:
Measure how actively your audience interacts with the content, such as clicking on interactive elements or participating in polls.
Feedback:
Collect qualitative insights into the audience's perception and understanding of your presentation through surveys or direct communication.
Time spent per slide:
Track the average time spent on each slide to identify areas of high or low interest.
Social media mentions and shares:
Monitor online activity to gauge the presentation's reach and resonance beyond the immediate audience.
Frequently asked questions about interactive presentations
How do I make my presentation interactive?
Making your presentation interactive involves leveraging tools and techniques to engage your audience. Incorporate features like clickable buttons, live polls, and dynamic backgrounds.
Utilize storytelling and data visualization to captivate your audience, and consider interactive presentation platforms like mmhmm for seamless integration.
Is mmhmm free?
mmhmm runs on a freemium model. That means we offer most of our great features for interactive presentations as part of our free, basic plan but users needing higher cloud storage capabilities or larger participant numbers can upgrade to the mmhmm premium plan.
Wrapping up
Transforming your presentations into interactive experiences is a game-changer. Use interactive presentation ideas to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Things like live polls, virtual whiteboards, and dynamic backgrounds turn your audience from passive observers into active participants.
Interactive presentations help you add an element of storytelling to your slide deck, emotionally connecting your audience to your content. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or just starting, the key is to experiment with innovative solutions. Ready to revolutionize your communication style? Try mmhmm for free today.
Additional resources
https://www.mmhmm.app/blog/the-great-meeting-makeover-complaints-about-typical-meetings
https://www.businessinsider.com/best-ways-to-start-a-presentation-2014-11?r=US&IR=T
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