Speaker Handouts

How easy is it to find your handout?

- Joel Heffner

Digital handouts are a great way to be remembered…if they can be found easily. A virtual handout that you provide for Zoom presentation has to be easily found on the person’s computer. Let’s say you want to provide this as a handout.

The name of the file counts…a lot! If I named it MR4839.jpg, you’d never find it on your computer. If I named it handout.jpg, you might be able to find it…if you looked. If, however, I named it Joel_Heffner_Handout.jpg the chances of finding it on your computer would increase dramatically.

Name your handouts carefully.

Taking Notes on Zoom

- Joel Heffner

The best way to take notes on Zoom is by creating your own screenshots. If you don’t know how to create a screenshot (don’t worry it’s really easy), these links will take you to online tutorials that will explain how to create a screenshot using the device that you will be using during the talk.

If you use an iPhone go here.

If you use an Android go here.

If you use a Mac go here.

If you use Windows go here. 

If you use an iPad go here.

You might also want to see this article in PC Magazine on making screenshots using any device.

Essentials of an effective handout…

- Joel Heffner

In order to be effective, a handout needs four qualities.

First, all handouts should include your contact information. If someone wants to contact you, make it as easy as possible.

Second, handouts should summarize, not repeat your presentation. If you give away your PowerPoint slides and they make sense, you weren’t needed.

Third, include your picture with your handout. You want to associate your face with your words.

Fourth, take the time to create handouts that look good. Make them colorful. Add interesting graphics. Use quotes. Jazz ’em up.

Remember, you and the best speakers in the world have something in common. The audience is forgetting what you say…as you are saying it. Handouts help them remember you and your message.

How to create a unique speaker handout…

- Joel Heffner

Most handouts look similar. Nice paper. Colorful graphics. Nifty fonts.

Not very creative, however.

So, can you really make a truly unique handout? Yes, I think so.

How?

Take out a piece of paper, lined or unlined. Write out … with a real pen or pencil … what you think the members of your audience should remember about your presentation. Make copies of it to give away.

You probably have never gotten a handout that was actually handwritten, have you? Your audience will think it’s very creative and … unique.

Your best speaker handout is…

- Joel Heffner

There are many different kinds of speaker handouts. Most are directly related to your speaking topic. One is directly related to getting gigs. Your best speaker handout is your…business card. It’s the one handout that you always have with you. It should be an effective way to explain what you speak about. Do you have a business card with you…now?