Use of Gimmicks

I've been reading a few posts here that described the use of gimmicks in presentations to make them more memorable. For example one guy handed out coconuts and another described a girl breaking a kit-kat...

I've always been wary of gimmicks like these and think that nothing can replace a well put together and rehearsed presentation. But what do you think?

I'm all for making an impact but it's difficult to decide the right time to pull something like that off. Also, what sort of 'stunt' would you pull if you had to?

You are absolutely right that nothing can replace a well put together and rehearsed presentation. I would always suggest that you get these right first.

However gimmicks are things that make a presentation memorable. And it is the memorable presentation that is remembered. That is why we still talk about these "gimmicks" when we have long forgot all of the other presentations on the same day.

In the latest terminologogy of 'neuro-linguistic programming' the gimmick provides a hook or an anchor that people can hook their memory onto.

One of the most famous speeches was Martin Luther King's speech "I have a dream" wasn't that a bit of a gimmick. But it was highly memorable and helped to change the way that a nation felt.

The key is to build the gimmick that you are comfortable with. And if you are not comfortable with gimmick - don't use them.

But above all - nothing can replace a well put together and rehearsed presentation.

Many times I have had to present a product update to a group of people who have heard something very similar from previous presenters over the past day etc. The question then becomes what is going to hold their attention, still get over the couple of items I want them to take away and wake them up a while.

I see large companies with very creative marketing divisions use the same impact points but take no consideration of the audience or the environment that it is delviered in.

An example and the approach I took. I had to present on a particular kind of resort holiday. Ten competing companies had given very competant presentations before hand but basically said the same thing.

I arranged for a helper to come and as I was presenting, change my jackets, trousers and hat to show what I would be wearing doing different aspects of the activities available. I had maybe five changes. I didn't make any reference to it and all but ignored the person changing me. It sounds a corney gimmick but if it is done well, around a well presented visual presentation it works.