In Depth Guide on Using Your Smartwatch for Presentations with Presenter Notes Live Pointer Control and Audience Polling width

The 6 Best Live Polling Tools to Engage your Audience

The best way to engage your group in a live meeting or event (while not wasting valuable time) is to make it interactive let your people participate. Live polling is one way to do this, and is proven to increase audience engagement. Here are the 6 best tools online to ask poll questions / run interactive polls, whether you're on a video call, in person in a meeting, or in front of an audience in a conference room.

See our video with reviews and screengrabs of each tool, or get to the written list below.

1. Slides with Friends

Slides With Friends is a great all-around interactive presentation solution, and is one of the frontrunners in our list of audience polling tools. It comes with pretty much everything you'd need to create and run live polls, then collect instant feedback. Players join on their mobile device with a QR code scan or custom URL (so, no downloads needed), and easily send in answers, emoji, sounds, and more, during your event or meetings real time.

Biggest Slides With Friends advantages: Accessibility, Thoughtful pre-made templates, Good design, Robust free account

This tool works wherever you can share your screen, so you can use it on Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or in a conference room.

It also comes with tons of free and ready-to-use game templates: think of them like Kahoot decks or Jackbox games that you can edit any way you like, and then play with your group. This takes away a lot of the work youd have to do to create your own content from scratch. Just pick a template that meets your needs and play during your online meetings!

For instance, here's a "Poll the Audience"Template you can use (it's free with up to 10 players). You can edit the questions on each slide to ask your group exactly what you want.

Biggest Disadvantage: Downloadable CSV for event results only available on upgraded accounts

The ability to analyze complex data in relation to the polls taken during repeated training sessions or seminars can be enlightening and help you improve your presentation for future events.

2. Sli.do

Sli.do is one of the more basic slideshow presentation platforms with polling for your audience. It allows for brainstorming with a word cloud or Q&A as well, but little else. This platform offers a very basic free option, as well as three other annually billed subscription levels to meet the needs of small to medium-large companies or non-profits. The Enterprise package is particularly impressive (but comes with a hefty price tag).

Biggest advantage: Comprehensive analytics tools

Sli.do is particularly helpful for larger organizations with frequent training and team building due to unparalleled comprehensive analytics tools. You can review Q&As, which participants led the group in responding, see all of your polls at a glance, and easily create infographics from multiple choice questions.

Biggest disadvantage: Limited interesting or connective uses

Sli.do can be a dry and survey-only forward tool. If you want to wow your audience, or seem like you put a ton of work (when you really didnt) into an interactive presentation, this tool is a little lacking.

3. Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is an interactive application that can be implemented almost anywhere, anytime. For instance this is the only platform here that integrates with Slack on this list.

This service is designed to scale up as you grow your audience. It offers the most subscription options starting at low fees for small meetings and reaching up to a $12,000 per year Enterprise plan. The Teams and Enterprise options are on the expensive side, although they are feature rich.

The biggest advantage: Best free and start-up packages for live polls

The free version gives you more features than others listed, starting with a 25-attendee roster (compared to 7 to 10 participants with other apps). It also lets you add polls and unlimited real time questions.

If you have a single meeting or seminar, a cheaper one-time live polling and presentation planrich with more poll features is available.

The biggest disadvantage: Free and Present live polling options very limited in features

None of the free live polling tools include analytics or moderation capabilities, but Poll Everywhere's lower-level paid version doesn't offer them either. You must pay for the more expensive Engage option for these features, regardless of the size of your business and the frequency of your events.

4. Aha Slides

Aha Slides is one of the most affordable live polling services, and they offer a lot of perks that arent available with more expensive options.

The free version is the most limiting of the services listed here, but the features of the Essential and Plus plans are affordable options for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs running a small meeting. You can pay one-time, or you can subscribe for holding regular online or in-person events.

Even large companies can take advantage of this affordability when detailed analytics and sharing is not necessary, with the upper level service accepting up to 10,000 attendees.

The biggest advantage: Idea sharing and other interactive features

In addition to live polls and brainstorming word clouds, Aha also offers sliding scales, idea sharing, multiple choice, and even a spinner wheel for a variety of attendee participation that encompasses all types of learners.

The biggest disadvantage: Only basic analytics and presentation options

Aha Slides is one of the easier live polling platform to learn and use to create, but that simplicity means that you dont have a lot of the same advanced features offered by other polling tools listed here.

5. Mentimeter

Mentimeter issuper-featured and filled with lots of options. This makes it powerful, but also kind of tough to figure out / get an immediate understanding of. It's also a bit pricier than others given all of its integrations and features.

The biggest advantage: Language accessibility for a global workplace

Mentimeter has a tool that allows for multiple translations within the same live presentation. This means that you can reach anyone in the world and still get the same audience participation that you receive in your hometown.

The biggest disadvantage: No automatically generated reports

While you can export data from your surveys, Q&As, and live polls, Mentimeter differs from other services in that you can export raw info, but the platform doesnt generate reports for you. This makes the analytics information less helpful.

6. Vevox

Vevox is one of the more expensive tools that includes live polling and other interactive features to keep your participants engaged. Unlike the other tools here, you can gather all types of anonymous feedback and surveys to help you improve future presentations.

Vevox is unique in that it doesnt have different service levels. Although a free option is available to get you started, the paid version is the same for everyone. An individual plan is $50 per month, with the Enterprise plan giving you a $5 discount per user.

The biggest advantage: Most comprehensive free version

Vevox offers one of the best free versions, although it is only available for use with PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams. it allows an astounding 500 participants, and the only features excluded in the free subscription are analytics and reporting.

The biggest disadvantage: Works best with Microsoft products

While you can use Vevoxs polling applications in other environments, it was really designed for use with Microsoft products, including Windows, PowerPoint, and Ms Teams. Those integrations are seamless, but using the service with other platforms may be more complicated.

Real Time Polling Can Increase Audience Enjoyment

Experts agree that active participation increases the enjoyment of your audience and retention of your information.

"Incorporating the right type of online real-time polling ... has overriding benefits."Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, "Real-time polling to help corral university-learners' wandering minds"

Regardless of what platform you choose, there is no doubt that live polling is a useful tool to keep an audience engaged. Like several of these options, your remote participants often do not need to download an app to see your screen on their phone or tablet, which makes this a very easy way to collect information.

Collecting data about particular attendees, including their responses to particular questions, is especially useful for training programs in which you need to measure performance and knowledge. At the same time, anonymous feedback is vital and not offered by all packages. Consider carefully how you will use the live poll tools to help you determine which is best for you.

The Best Choice for Live Polling

Our choice for the best live polling tool is Slides With Friends. It's got great live polling options and is easy to get started with and use, you can even use it for free with up to 10 players.

Some things you can do using SlidesWith:

• Poll your audience with different options to display rating poll results like graphs, donut charts, per-responder (run multiple polls, add images, get real time results)
• Play trivia or quiz your audience
• Create a live word cloud together (your audience sends in words and then votes to make words bigger)
• Everyone votes on responses from other audience members (like Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity)
• Live Photo share (Add images and display to the group)

How to See Presenter Notes in PowerPoint

If youre giving a presentation in PowerPoint, you may want to refer to some notes or reminders that will help you deliver your message better. Presenter notes can be a great tool to help you stay on track and ensure that your presentation goes smoothly. In this article, well explain how to see presenter notes in PowerPoint and all the necessary steps to properly utilize them.

The Importance of Presenter Notes in PowerPoint Presentations

Presenter notes are an essential element in any PowerPoint presentation, as they help the speaker stay organized and deliver their message efficiently. These notes can include tips, reminders, and other important pieces of information that will enhance your delivery and help you stay on track.

One of the key benefits of using presenter notes is that they allow you to focus on your delivery and engage with your audience, rather than worrying about what comes next in your presentation. By having your notes readily available, you can avoid the stress of trying to remember everything you want to say and instead focus on delivering your message with confidence.

Another advantage of using presenter notes is that they can help you tailor your presentation to your audience. By including notes on the interests and needs of your audience, you can ensure that your presentation is relevant and engaging, and that you are able to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Understanding the Presenter View in PowerPoint

Presenter View is a mode in PowerPoint that allows you to see your notes and other helpful information while presenting. In this mode, your audience will only see the slides themselves, while youll have access to additional tools and features to help you deliver a smooth and professional presentation.

One of the most useful features of Presenter View is the ability to preview upcoming slides. This allows you to prepare for the next slide while still presenting the current one. You can also use Presenter View to zoom in on specific parts of your slide, highlight important points, and even draw directly on the slide to emphasize certain aspects.

Another benefit of Presenter View is the ability to customize your presentation on the fly. You can easily skip slides, go back to previous ones, or even jump to a specific slide if needed. This can be especially helpful if you need to adjust your presentation based on audience feedback or questions.

How to Access the Presenter View in PowerPoint

To access Presenter View in PowerPoint, first open your presentation and click the Slide Show tab at the top of the screen. Then select Presenter View under the Monitors group to enter Presenter View.

Presenter View is a powerful tool that allows you to view your presentation notes, upcoming slides, and elapsed time while presenting. You can also use Presenter View to navigate through your slides, zoom in and out, and even draw on your slides to emphasize key points. To exit Presenter View, simply press the Esc key on your keyboard.

Navigating the Presenter View in PowerPoint

Once in Presenter View, youll have access to several tools and features to help you deliver your presentation efficiently. You can use the arrows in the bottom left corner of the screen to advance your slides, and the Zoom slider to adjust the size of the slides to your preference. Youll also be able to see your presenter notes and a preview of the next slide.

Another useful feature of Presenter View is the ability to use a laser pointer to highlight specific areas of your slide. This can be especially helpful when discussing complex diagrams or charts. To use the laser pointer, simply click and hold the left mouse button while in Presenter View.

In addition, Presenter View allows you to easily switch between slides and sections of your presentation. You can use the thumbnails on the left side of the screen to jump to a specific slide, or use the dropdown menu at the top of the screen to switch between sections. This can be particularly useful if you need to go back and revisit a specific point in your presentation.

Using Presenter Notes to Enhance Your Presentation Delivery

Presenter notes can be incredibly helpful during a presentation. You can use them to remind yourself of key points, cue up multimedia elements like videos or animations, or even practice your delivery in advance. Be sure to create notes that are concise and easy to read, and avoid using them as a crutch for your entire presentation.

Another way to use presenter notes is to include additional information that you may not have time to cover during the presentation. This can be helpful for Q&A sessions or if someone asks for more information after the presentation. However, be careful not to overload your notes with too much information, as this can be overwhelming and distracting.

Its also important to practice using your presenter notes before the actual presentation. This will help you become more familiar with the content and ensure that you dont stumble over your words or forget important points. You can practice by rehearsing your presentation with the notes, or by using them during a mock presentation with colleagues or friends.

Adding and Editing Presenter Notes in PowerPoint

To add or edit presenter notes in PowerPoint, simply click the Notes button at the bottom of the screen while in Normal View. This will bring up a pane where you can enter and edit your notes, as well as see a preview of how they will appear in Presenter View.

Presenter notes are a great way to keep track of important points and reminders during your presentation. You can also use them to add additional information that you may not want to include on your slides. When you are in Presenter View, your notes will appear on your screen, but not on the screen that your audience sees. This allows you to refer to your notes without distracting your audience.

Tips for Writing Effective and Concise Presenter Notes

When writing presenter notes, keep in mind that they should be concise and easy to read at a glance. Use bullet points or short phrases to remind yourself of key points, and avoid writing full paragraphs or scripts. Also, consider using visuals or icons to illustrate your notes and help them stand out.

Another important tip for writing effective presenter notes is to tailor them to your audience. Consider the level of knowledge and expertise your audience has on the topic, and adjust your notes accordingly. If you are presenting to a group of experts, you may be able to use more technical language and include more detailed information. However, if you are presenting to a general audience, it is important to keep your notes simple and easy to understand.

Customizing Your Presenter View Settings in PowerPoint

You can customize your Presenter View settings in PowerPoint to better suit your needs and preferences. To access these settings, click the Settings button in the bottom right corner of the screen while in Presenter View. From there, you can change the size and location of elements like your notes and preview pane.

Another useful feature of Presenter View is the ability to use a laser pointer during your presentation. To activate the laser pointer, simply press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click the left mouse button. You can then move the pointer around the screen to highlight important points or information.

Additionally, you can also customize the color and thickness of your laser pointer by going to the Slide Show tab in the PowerPoint ribbon and selecting Set Up Slide Show. From there, you can choose your preferred laser pointer options under the Show options section.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Presenter Notes in PowerPoint

If youre having trouble seeing your presenter notes in PowerPoint, first check to ensure that Presenter View is turned on in the Slide Show tab. You can also try adjusting your screen resolution or display settings to ensure that all elements of the view are visible. If youre still experiencing issues, try restarting your presentation or your PowerPoint application.

Another common issue with presenter notes in PowerPoint is when they appear too small or too large on the screen. To fix this, you can adjust the font size of your notes in the Notes Master view. Additionally, if you have multiple monitors connected to your computer, make sure that PowerPoint is displaying the presenter view on the correct monitor.

If youre using a Mac computer, you may encounter issues with presenter notes not syncing properly with your slides. To resolve this, try updating your PowerPoint software to the latest version or using a different device to present your slides. You can also try exporting your presentation as a PDF and presenting from there, as this can sometimes resolve syncing issues.

How to Use Presenter View for Remote Presentations

If youre giving a presentation remotely, Presenter View can be especially helpful. You can share your screen with remote attendees, while still being able to see your presenter notes and other helpful tools. Be sure to test your setup in advance to ensure a seamless remote presentation.

Maximizing the Benefits of Using Presenter Notes in Your Presentations

Presenter notes are an invaluable tool for delivering a seamless and professional PowerPoint presentation. By using them effectively, youll be able to stay on track, provide helpful reminders and tips, and even practice your delivery in advance. Always be sure to prepare and review your notes in advance to fully realize their benefits.

Best Practices for Using Presenter Notes to Deliver a Professional Presentation

To make the most of your presenter notes, consider practicing your presentation in advance and using your notes sparingly. Keep your delivery natural and authentic, and avoid relying too heavily on your notes or reading from a script. Additionally, be sure to use visuals and other multimedia elements to supplement your speaking points.

Understanding the Different Views Available in PowerPoint

PowerPoint offers several different views that can be helpful for creating and delivering presentations. These include Normal View, Slide Sorter View, and Notes Page View, in addition to Presenter View. Be sure to explore these different views to find the one that works best for your needs.

Integrating Multimedia into Your Presenter View and Notes

If youre using multimedia elements like videos or animations in your presentation, be sure to cue them up in advance and practice your timing. You can also include images or other visuals in your presenter notes to help illustrate your point. And if youre presenting remotely, be sure to test your multimedia setup in advance to ensure a seamless presentation.

This article has provided a comprehensive guide on how to see presenter notes in PowerPoint. By following these steps and tips, youll be able to deliver a professional, polished presentation that engages your audience and leaves a lasting impression.