For a powerful presentation, add visual impact. (Credit Column).(Column)

Whether you're presenting your operations budget to the board of directors or doing a sales presentation to a key client, visuals are essential for a successful meeting. We live in a visual age, and, regardless of your position or industry, your message is in competition with MTV, Disney and all the best Hollywood has to offer.

While some speakers can hold their audience's attention without one prop or graphic, they are the exceptions. Today's listeners almost demand that certain types of presentations use visuals. If your audience members can't visually relate to what you're saying, they'll tend to shut you out and stop listening. When that happens, there's little hope that they'll take action on your words. That's why your visual aids need to be compelling and appropriate for the audience you're addressing. For example, addressing a sales and marketing workshop is much different than standing before a parent-teacher meeting.

Additionally, well-designed visuals help your audience feel more comfortable. They know the meeting has a plan and that you are following it. Graphics also keep people alert and focused by stimulating their senses.

Fortunately, you don't need a Hollywood producer to provide "value" to your audience through visual aids. You can choose from many mediums to add impact to your presentation. Below are the most common visual aids successful speakers use.

1. Handouts

A simple handout is a good place to start, and each speaker uses handouts differently. Some pass them out at the beginning, some during the presentation, and others at the end. It's all a matter of your presentation's focus and the main message you want to get across.

If you're fearful of passing out handouts in the beginning because you believe your audience will read ahead and not pay attention to what you're saying, consider a "fill-in-the-blank" handout that requires your listeners to actively follow along, writing down key words and concepts. Another idea is to use shades of colored paper for multiple handouts. It's then easy to say, "Look at your yellow handout."