Presentation & Multimedia – Why Bother?

General, Web DesignTags: marketing, multimedia, multimedia presentation examples

I thought I’d offer a few bits of data I’ve found useful in making the digital presentation materials I create for my clients.

A couple of definitions:

1. Presentation – as a noun, “presentation” is defined as “a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view (“The presentation of new data”).”  It comes from a Latin word – præsentationem, meaning “a placing before.” 

This gives us a simple view of what we are dealing with when creating a presentation of any message, artwork or subject, whether it be verbal or visual in nature.

2. Multimedia – also a noun, “multimedia” is defined as “transmission that combine media of communication (text and graphics and sound etc.).”

In today’s world, one can go right into apathy trying to work out how to get the attention of the right people with the right message and in enough volume to get any kind of useful response. So anyone who manages to keep a promotional budget in place and keeps “getting the word out” is to be commended.  But when you get your word out to people, how do they receive your message?  Do they even care to read or look at what you are showing them? 

Well, this is of course, all about the subjects of PR & marketing.  But the focus of this blog post is “presentation and multimedia.”  The reason why these things are important to you is that the world we live in is constantly shifting in the direction of more and more high-quality presentation materials that use combinations of audio and visual presentation methods to get attention and get the message accross.

VIDEO – is more and more accessible to practically anyone.  Animated presentations that allow a complex stream of information to get accross with images and audio have become common to the point where everywhere you look, you see animations, slideshows, videos, people talking right at you, etc., etc.

Now, my point in writing all this is not to tell you something you already know – most people are aware of these things. But here’s something that may surprise you:  JUST because you use lots of audio, video, bells & whistles, loud noises, sexy images, and fancy slogans does NOT mean you are reaching anyone!

The RIGHT image, the RIGHT text, a correctly shot and edited video with aesthetically pleasing and effective composition are KEY aspects of making what you present really LAND and CONNECT with the audience viewing it.

This is NOT voodoo.  But it is ART.  It also includes knowing fundamentals of public relations, ethnic and cultural values, emotional “triggers” and other factors that are not “intutitive.”

I intend to keep writing down ideas, methods and bits of “hard won know-how” that have resulted in the good responses I get on the presentation materials I create for clients using this blog.  For now, I’ll end with this one very basic concept:

Having a well worked out presentation that uses a good balance of multimedia elements along with vebal information,  and that keeps good focus on the actual communication getting accross to the right audience is worth its weight in gold.  Sometimes this can mean VERY simple materials.  In my next post I’m going to get into different approaches that can make or break presentations.  Stay tuned for that and have a great week!

Rex Perry
Perry Multimedia Inc.
www.perrymultimedia.com