So, you’re getting ready to give a PowerPoint presentation for the first time ever. You’re a bit nervous about the process and you want to find a few ways to make things easier on yourself.
Or maybe you’ve given a ton of PowerPoint presentations in the past and are looking for new and creative ways to mix things up. Regardless, if you add sound to PowerPoint presentations, you’re going to get better results.
The benefits of adding sound to PowerPoint presentations are numerous. And the best part? There’s a ton of different kinds of sounds that you can use, which means you can find something that fits your presentation perfectly.
So why should you use sound in your PowerPoint presentation? And what kind of sounds work the best? We’ve got the answers to those questions, and more, in this article!
Now then, let’s get started!
The Benefits of Sound
If you’ve never used sound in your PowerPoint presentation before, you may be wondering if it’s truly worth trying out or not. After all, PowerPoint presentations are great tools for visual learning, do you really need to add an audio layer to that, too?
Well, there are a few key benefits to using audio in your PowerPoint presentation. It’s up to you to decide if those benefits are enough for you to try something new with your presentations.
You’ll Engage Your Audience Better
Believe it or not, you can actually engage your audience better if you add audio clips to your PowerPoint presentations. Doing so is a great way to break things up, especially if you’re the only person talking during the presentation.
That change can keep your audience focused on you and your subject matter, which of course is a good thing.
It’ll Put Less Pressure on You
If you’re someone who gets nervous before a presentation or has never done one before, you’re going to want to use audio clips. Doing so can put a lot less responsibility and pressure on you as a speaker, which can help calm your nerves.
Also, audio clips can give you a second to catch your breath, figure out what is coming up next, and relax for a bit. This can be quite helpful if you’re someone who deals with nerves or if you’ve never given a presentation before.
The Types of Sound You Can Use
As you can see, the benefits of using sound in your PowerPoint presentation are numerous. So, now that you’ve decided to give the technique a try, what sounds should you start out with first?
Well, we’ve broken down a few options that work the best.
Sound Effects
If you’re looking to get a few laughs, consider adding some funny sound effects to your presentation. This is great if you’re presenting something that can be a bit dry, and thus, could use a bit of humor to spice things up.
It also works well if you’re presenting to young people who may not be interested in what you have to say. And of course, you don’t have to go silly with your sound effects, all though those do work the best.
Vocal Narration
If you’ve got a part of your presentation that is a bit of a mouthful to get out, consider pre-recording it so you can make sure you capture a smooth delivery. Again, this will eliminate a ton of pressure off of your shoulders, which can be helpful when it comes to nerves.
Also, it’ll give you a chance to make a joke or two while presenting, which is something every audience wants to hear regardless of age.
Stock Music
Sometimes having a few tunes sprinkled throughout your presentation can help create a fun and energetic vibe. But if you plan on posting your presentation online, perhaps to YouTube, copyright music could get your video taken down.
That’s why it’s a good idea to use royalty-free music, or stock music, in your presentation. You can find awesome tracks that sound great and cost absolutely nothing to use.
If you want to find out more about where you can find these songs you can read more now.
Video Clips
Sure, this is technically cheating. But video clips usually have sound, and thus, fit the criteria.
More than any other form of media, people love watching videos. In fact, when it comes to marketing, studies show that video content is the most effective when it comes to engagement.
So if you want to keep your audience glued to the screen, consider throwing a few YouTube videos into your PowerPoint. You’ll get all the benefits of using audio, plus more, which is nice.
Why You Should Add Sound to PowerPoint Presentations
Well, there you have it! A guide to why you should add sound to PowerPoint presentations, as well as a few different types of audio you can use!
As you can see, the benefits of adding sound to your presentation make the decision to do so a no brainer. You’ll not only be spicing up your presentation, but you’ll also be putting less stress on yourself, which can be helpful if you’re having some nerves about the experience.
When it comes to what type of sounds to use, it’s really up to you and your imagination. Anything from funny sound effects to vocal narration, to full-length songs, can be quite effective when used correctly.
Are you giving a presentation soon? Want to know more about how to get the most out of PowerPoint? Check out our blog!
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