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Are you planning for your next presentation? It may have crossed your mind to combine the power of video with your speech to make it more interesting. That’s totally understandable because videos are often included in presentations to keep the audience's attention and convey important information at the same time. However, balancing those advantages is the fact that incorporating videos can be a daunting and time-consuming task.
If you are confused about whether to use video in your next speech, then this article is for you. I am going to discuss both the pros and the cons of using video in a presentation so that you can make an informed choice.
Let's start with the pros of using video in a presentation:
Videos can easily grab people's attention
Video is a great way to grab your audience's attention and interest because it triggers the brain more than text. Video has been proven effective in capturing people’s imagination, which leads them into wanting more information about what you're showing them. It’s also an engaging way for you to get your message across.
Videos can create an emotional connection, thereby making your presentation more memorable
For many people, memory recall depends hugely on emotions. People will remember things they experienced as a result of emotions they felt. A video will provide the perfect opportunity to create those memories and emotions with your audience so that what you say 'sticks' in their mind better than it would without the video.
You can use video to break up the monotony of text slide presentations
Have you ever sat through a presentation that has multiple slides with text on them? If you have, then you know how monotonous it can be. People want to sit back and learn at a presentation, so why not provide them with something interesting? Videos will keep audiences engaged because of their ability to break the boredom; meaning, your audience is more likely to listen properly and not drift off to sleep.
You can use video to explain something complex in a simple way
Videos are a great way to make complicated things easier. With videos, you can see how something is done and understand it much more easily than if we were just given text descriptions alone. And the best part about them? They're portable so we always have them on hand when needed.
Videos are easy to share on social media platforms
Video is a great marketing tool. You can use videos in promoting the event before and after the actual presentation. You can start sharing video teasers through social media before your presentation so people know what to expect from your talk. You can then share your video content post-event so people have access to your work. So not only do you get immediate feedback from people you engage with, but other members of these communities may find value in viewing your presentation as well.
Using videos in your presentation can also have its drawbacks.
So now let's take a look at the cons of using video in a presentation:
Videos take time and resources to create
With videos, you need to be prepared ahead of time. Editing videos is a long, drawn-out procedure. It can be difficult to produce videos free of mistakes, so it's always best to double-check your work before presenting it if you want to avoid embarrassing errors.
It's also difficult to insert videos to fit in with the rest of your presentation. To make the video work with the rest of your slides and your spoken word, you would need to create a proper script or storyboard. This is time-consuming and will take away from other essential things you need to prepare like your speech.
It can be difficult to find/create the right video for your needs
It is important to make sure the video you use conveys your desired message. Otherwise, there's always a chance that someone might take offense and think poorly about what kind of influence this has over their belief. It can give a bad impression of yourself or your company's reputation in general if it gives off an unprofessional vibe. Trust us when we say that it's better not to show a video than show one that seems very unprofessional or inappropriate for your business.
You have to be mindful of the video length
There is no right or wrong answer in identifying the best length for your video. Some people like to keep it short and others use longer videos. If you feel it’s too long to hold the audience’s attention, consider splitting it up into several shorter ones. But if your presentation is focused on showcasing a piece of knowledge or skills, ensure that it's worth that attention.
You don’t want to see your audience disengage from what you're showing them and start scrolling through emails on their phone or looking out the window before the video ends. Don't let that happen to you!
You cannot interact with your audience in real-time when you are showing a video
People love live interactions. They get them involved. If you are going to be showing a video, you won't have much opportunity to interact with your audience directly. And if you do, although pausing the video is an option, you will be diverting their attention away from the video at the risk of losing their interest. If you are going to use video within your presentation, I recommend including them sparingly, at key points. You can’t have your audience switching their attention between you and the video, as it’s distracting and will decrease their drive to engage with your presentation.
You need to make sure your video is free of copyright infringement
You need to watch your back and be sure not to create something that is not licensed properly. If you're going to use a song in the background of your presentation, ask for permission or purchase it from an official source. Your videos should be original and not copied from others.
Now that we've explored some of the pros and cons of using a video in your presentation, what's next? Well, it's up to you to weigh both options, either using a video or not. If you opt to incorporate videos in your presentation, be prepared to spend extra time for tasks from planning to editing. If you decide to go with a no-video approach, that's okay too. There are many alternative options available, such as infographics or slide shows.
Remember, the choice is yours! Good luck!
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