Using humor images and cartoons in presentations

By: Dessy Oundian

Have you talked in front of many people? Have you wondered what to do in order to get your ideas across?

Any public speaker who has faced a crowd of listeners knows that humor has a great effect and brings out a point like nothing else. I have talked to many presenters and all of them say they have a number of jokes up their sleeve, as well as visual gags -- CARTOONS.

Cartoons can be of great help in the communication with the audience -- once a little humor is injected, the point is easier to make and the message is better understood, and the audience will pay closer attention to details or points you want to get across. Cartoons, as all visuals (illustrations or pictures), make a long lasting impression in a person's mind and can, without doubt, help them understand the material.

There is a lot in making a successful public speech. Some people are born orators, while the rest of us have to struggle with our own fears and the listeners' indifference. Timing is very important key to any speech, talk, presentation etc. That's why it is wise to use some outside help like inserting a cartoon at the right place -- that way you will liven the monotonous text and have more control over your presentation. The cartoon will additionally give you some extra time to gather your thoughts and go on with the speech, while the audience is having a laugh or two. BTW, it is a scientific fact that laughter releases endorphins that make people feel relaxed and overall happy. That way cartoons in your presentation will make for a more receptive audience. People will remember you and will contact you again for more.

As you see, cartoons are a great ice-breaker. But the way you will use them is also of the essence. Will you use a black and white cartoon,or a color cartoon? Just one cartoon, or a series of cartoons? Captionless cartoons,or cartoons with text? All these elements will have a different impact on your audience. For example, if you use someblack and white cartoons followed by a full color cartoon, that will liven up, and even speed up the presentation. Or you may use a single cartoon as a way to refer to the printed manuals you might have supplied prior to the start of your presentation.

But where can you find a suitable cartoon for your presentation or speech? Thankfully, with the Internet, finding and licensing a cartoon is easier than ever! There are web sites that will provide you with a great selection of cartoons on different themes. You may try web site like:

http://www.etoon.com/ or http://www.bettercartoon.com/

If you have a little more money to spend and want to stand out of the crowd, you may consider hiring a cartoonist to create a custom cartoon or illustration just for you. Some businesses find that method extremely helpful in communicating with clients or employees.

You may check out http://www.evlad.com/

Dessy Oundian is the marketing guru behind www.2articles.com