‘So you want to create interaction with the audience?’ The presenter looks mildly appalled.

‘No, not really, but I’m told it’s a good idea. It’s an unwelcome thought for me, but apparently a benefit for my audience and thus better for me too in the medium term. I know that if I create interaction, I’ll get a better response from my audience, they’ll give me good reviews, recommend me to other clients.’ The presenter grudgingly concedes.

Here’s an easy way to do it without departing far from your original plan and without leaving your comfort zone. Go to your carefully-prepared slideshow and remove an important figure or word from one of your slides. 

When it comes up in the presentation, invite the audience to guess what goes in the gap. Listen to a few of their answers, then reveal the truth. If you don’t trust your memory to provide the correct answer, then write it into your next slide.

Repeat this process a few times. As you gain confidence, you can vary the routine for one of the more difficult or provocative questions by inviting your audience to organise themselves into pairs or trios and to spend a minute deciding between them what they’ll offer as an answer.

The presenter looks pleased and reports back ready for even more interaction next time.

Are you an accomplished facilitator or new to running workshops? Do you want to get even better? We run several masterclasses every year and you’re welcome to join any of them. Contact us and we’ll tell you more about the upcoming workshops.