You're
thinking, "How could comics teach me anything about making a
presentation?"
Well, what
are comics? I know, there’s a bit of a stigma attached. Kids’ stuff. Or socially awkward guys
crowded into small, obscure shops in desolate strip malls. But there actually is
a lot in those thin tomes. Comics are stories. They are images with limited text.
And, almost magically, they are exactly what their audience wants.
Stories. People
read comics because they tell a story that readers can relate to, laugh at, or
just ponder. You can do the same thing by using a story; a short, simple, and
to-the-point story speaks volumes. Think about how your story fits in with the bigger point or goal of
your talk. Hmmm, sort of how one volume of a comic fits in the scheme of the
series.
Images. A
picture is worth a thousand words. Comics are full of pictures. The author can
say less when you can see more. You can reinforce your message by showing them a
picture; hand something out, draw on a white board ... PowerPoint if you're
desperate.
Audience.
This is the most important one. Some people like Spider-Man and his average Joe
roots. Some prefer Batman for fighting on behalf of what he is not: average.
There are as many reasons to read comics as there are volumes. But every one of
those reasons is ultimately because they relate to their specific audience. Knowing
your audience will help you tell the right story.
So maybe
it is time to think about comics. How does your story drive the message? How do
your visuals make your story come alive? And most importantly, who is your
audience and what grabs them?
