In the world of public speaking and education, there is a golden rule: You are the presentation. The slides are just the support.
Many presenters make the mistake of letting the screen dominate the room. When a bright, text-heavy slide is up, the audience is reading, not listening to you. So, how do you take back control? The answer lies in managing what they see and when they see it.
The Power of the Black Screen One of the most underused techniques in presenting is “going dark.” When you are making a critical point or telling a personal story, turn the screen to black. This forces every pair of eyes in the room to shift from the wall to you. It creates a moment of intimacy and authority.
The “Freeze” Technique Nothing ruins professional credibility like the audience watching you drag folders, search for files, or accidentally display a personal notification. By freezing your secondary display, the audience sees a static, professional image, while you prepare the next segment behind the scenes.
At SumelaSoft, we designed our tools to make these advanced techniques accessible to everyone. Don’t just show slides—direct the show.