When you’re presenting, do you use a clicker or do you advance your slides by tapping on a keyboard? If you’re tied to your computer, then you may not be effectively using the stage.
Natural presenting
When people tell stories onstage, they tend not to root themselves in one place. They walk from one side of the stage to the other. They gesture broadly, bend and stretch, and move around to animate their words.
Storytellers who use slides (aka “presenters”) make a better connection with the audience when they’re free to roam around. By using a clicker to advance their slides, they are in control of the pacing of their stories and don’t have to interrupt themselves to change the visuals.
Anchored in place
Conversely, people who don’t use clickers need to always return to wherever the laptop or house computer is, usually some type of lectern. They need to stop talking, deliberately go to the computer, and tap the keyboard. How clunky is that? It can totally take the audience out of the moment when a presenter has to advance slides in this way.
What’s worse is that some presenters remain at the lectern so that they’re right there when they need to advance their slides. They put a barrier between themselves and the audience. Sure, it can calm your nerves when you can grip the top of the lectern, but it sure doesn’t bring you closer to the people you’re addressing.
Never do this
The worst way to advance slides that I’ve seen is to have somebody else do it for you. Picture it:
[In a hushed tone] “And that’s when I realized things would be different from that moment on. That event changed my life forever, and I knew that I could never go back to the way things were before.”
[…]
[Louder, to stage left] “Next slide, please.”
Seriously? Talk about being yanked out of the story!
I’m convinced! What kind of clicker do you recommend?
Funny you should ask. I use the Amerteer Wireless Presenter, available on Amazon. It’s worn like a ring and is very easy to use. Because it’s small, it’s barely noticeable and it fits very naturally into my hand. I can gesture all I want and the thing just stays there! It’s rechargeable and only costs $18. Not bad, eh?
I’ve used lots of different clickers, but this one’s my favorite by far! And no, I wasn’t paid to say that; I just really like the product.
So if you’re not already using one, go out and get you a clicker TODAY! You’ll be amazed at how freeing it can be to come out from behind that lectern.