Why do you have such a lack of respect for your audience's basic competency?
WHAT?? KEN, HOW DARE YOU MAKE SUCH AN ALLEGATION!
Come, let's do a quick and easy thought experiment…
- Think of a TV show that features a host sitting and presenting things to the viewer. Pick your favorite - The evening news. Ellen. Fox and Friends. The Daily Show. Good Morning America. Wendy Williams.
- Now think of a radio talk show. Pick your favorite - NPR. Rush Limbaugh. Howard Stern.
- And finally, think of a talk-based podcast. Pick your favorite - Malcolm Gladwell. Serial. This American Life. WTF.
Now tell me again why you feel you have to fill your presentation slides with text, data, background information, and basically all the things you are telling your audience through your vocalized speech.
"It's because my listeners NEED that information. How else will they understand and remember?"
Give your audience more credit. Sure, they appreciate an occasional "over the shoulder" graphic to add some spice and to provide a moment of clarity or emphasis on a particular detail. You'll see TV news shows put up a highlighted quote every now and then. But your listeners are fully able to listen, comprehend, and assimilate your key points without reading your entire script off the screen along with you.
As a matter of fact, they are much MORE able to take in the information you present vocally if they aren't trying to read at the same time. It's a proven, scientific fact.
So how 'bout showing your audience a little more respect next time? Trust their ability to listen.
