Tip 87: Use props
In public speaking the term "prop" is a shortened version of the theatrical term "property," a word used to describe any object handled or used by an actor in a performance.
Props can be an incredibly powerful way to liven up your presentation and make it more memorable. Props help focus attention on the speaking points you are trying to make along with illustrating them for you. They make better connections than your words with the visually oriented members of your audience. They create interest, add variety, and make your points more memorable. Many times a well selected prop will illustrate your point much better than you could ever do in words. Your audience can easily ignore your words, but a unique prop is hard to ignore.
People remember pictures far longer than words. That is why great public speakers use stories to create images in their audience’s mind. They know that images will be remembered when the words are long forgotten. If you are not a great storyteller yet, you can use props to help create these pictures at your presentations.
Normally you should keep your props hidden until you are ready to use them: props are at their most potent when the audience does not know about their existence until the moment when they interrupt the flow of the presentation.
If you do use props, make sure they can be seen from all parts of the room and that you continue to speak to your audience and not to the prop (unless the prop is a puppet).
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