7 Trends in Public Speaking and Presentations (Part 1)

It was the decade of AOL email, Windows 97, 3.5” floppy discs, and blue suits with white shirts in the boardroom. We’ve come a long way since then. And yet, despite all of our advances, I saw what looked like Windows 97 clip art on a PowerPoint slide just yesterday! I’m pretty sure the presenter didn’t intend to lead her audience on a mindtrip back in time to presentation dinosaur age.

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On the other hand, at a conference just a few months ago, the guy on stage was wearing a shirt with just one word on it: “Collaborate.” There was no lectern, no microphone, and he didn’t use any slides. His hip “unpresentation” was engaging, inspiring, and fun. It also got me thinking about changes in the presentation landscape.

In this two-part series, I’ll look at where we came from and where we’re headed in the world of public speaking. Part 1 focuses on general trends in presentation style. Part 2 will dig into the latest trends in presentation technology.

Here are the 7 trends I’m seeing in presentation style right now:

Trend #1: Corporate (and Presentations) Are Going Casual

Remember Casual Fridays? When only Fridays were casual, and by casual we meant a pair of khaki pants? That trend is quickly being replaced with a new one reflective of some common themes in today’s presentations: approachability, likability, and trustworthiness. In increasing numbers, we’re more likely to like and trust someone who looks like they are visiting us in our home than someone dressed for a formal interview.

In fact I’ve even noticed presentation rooms becoming more casual, with couches, stand-up bar tables, and conversation areas, in addition to typical seating. 

Not only are clothing and presentation rooms becoming more casual, language choice is also more casual.  I’ve even seen a trend for men (and on very rare occasions women) to use profanity during presentations.  Although, I’m not easily offended by foul language, it can be tricky to use profanity in just the right way that adds to, rather than detracting from, the success of the presentation. Used incorrectly it can significantly damage the personal brand and influence of the speaker. This is one trend I recommend skipping.

Trend #2: Audiences Are Demanding Participation

Today, audiences don’t want to just be observers, they want to be part of the presentation. As professional speakers often say, “Audiences don’t want a sage on the stage, audiences want a guide at their side.” Audience members want to be able to share their reactions, ideas, and comments during the presentation. Thankfully, as a result, presentations, even to large groups, have become much more interactive and engaging.

In fact, over the past two year’s I’ve noticed much more interest in my webinar, 12.5 Ideas to Engage Your Audience; which to me is encouraging. I’ve also noticed more presenters asking people to tweet or live blog key ideas, thoughts, and questions during their presentation. And, in some cases, speakers are working harder to engage even the quietest members of the audience and use audience feedback to drive the direction of the presentation. (In Part 2 of this series, I’ll talk a bit more the technology they are using to do that).

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Trend #3: Focused Presentations with Smaller Audiences

In addition to increased interactivity, conference organizers are asking speakers to deliver more focused keynotes and breakout sessions. Successful speakers today hyper-focus on 3, and only 3, actionable, evidence-based ideas so that attendees can remember and derive real value from their presentations. General, feel-good, presentations packed with platitudes are no longer effective.

Smaller audiences are being invited to more intimate settings to elevate the depth of connections between attendees and also between attendees and the speaker.

Also, smaller audiences are being invited to more intimate settings to elevate the depth of connections between attendees and also between attendees and the speaker.  The hope of organizers is to elicit buy-in from this elite, influencial group who will then promote the ideas to their network. As this trend grows, it appears this small group approach is growing in effectiveness.

Trend #4: Growth in Webinars and Live Presentations

Webinars are continuing to grow in popularity, although the desire for live presentations is also growing. I am a professional speaker who loves to deliver in-person presentations. You might suspect that I would advise that webinars remain secondary to in-person meetings. But because of travel and time constraints, I expect the popularity of webinars will continue to grow.

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I also believe that we will see even more live presentations as we move forward. This trend will likely continue because the next generation of workers who are currently sitting in high schools, colleges, and graduate schools are highly relational and already accustomed to working in teams and small groups and they are also comfortable with technology.  

My advice: Use webinars in conjunction with live events.

Trend #5: Amateur Movies

Historically, movie clips, commercials, and training role-plays were incorporated into a presentation only when you were sure you would be delivering the same presentation multiple times. It was necessary to ensure you could recoup the investment (both in time and money) needed to create and incorporate videos.

Today, however, personal and amateur video is being increasingly incorporated either as a direct confirmation of what the speaker is saying, or else a springboard for future group discussion. With the ability to very quickly create and easily incorporate video, we are definitely seeing more video utilized in presentations. I’m hopeful that the trend we see as we move forward is higher quality and better technique incorporating video into our presentations!

Check out my episode on How to Use Video and Sound to Support Your Message for tips and techniques.

Trend # 6: Small Group Technology

Smaller meeting rooms are requiring advances in small group technology. For example, we’re now using big screen TVs as monitors, iPads and iPhones as clickers, and personal or pocket projectors both to hold files and to project them. These changes in technology are requiring that more people to learn better presentation skills. 

Finally, while PowerPoint is still Presentation King, we are branching out. In addition to Apple’s popular Keynote, programs like Google Presentations, Prenzi, and SlideRocket offer tools that The King just doesn’t.

Trend #7: Faux Retro

Presentations are getting less formal. Less polished can appear more approachable, so abandoning a fixed presentation (either in part or in whole) and instead actually writing on digital whiteboards or smartboards as a presenter is talking seems to be making a resurgence.

Don’t go real retro, though. The idea fosters familiarity, but no one actually wants to see you lugging a real overhead projector into the room. You would think I wouldn’t need to say this, but I did see a person present using an overhead machine and awful overhead transparencies.

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Presentations are both more and less of what they used to be. They are less formal, less one-sided, lesser in size, and even lesser in scope. At the same time, they’re becoming more relational, more inspiring, more interactive, and a lot more engaging. Relatability is everything in presentations these days. And though the effort to appear friendly, casual, and inspiring requires an ironic amount of crafting, planning, and investment, it’s an effort well worth it.

Join me for Part 2 of this series when we’ll discuss the latest trends in presentation technology. This is Lisa B. Marshall, helping you maximize sales, manage perceptions, and enhance leadership through keynotes, workshops, books, and online courses. Passionate about communication; your success is my business.