Communication has changed. My dad grew up with the radio. The whole family would sit around and listen closely as it delivered news, variety shows, and serial stories. When I was growing up, we had television. Now I could hear and see what was happening. My kids had Atari, a basic video game system that pulled in sight, sound, and simple hand movements. My grandkids? They have fully interactive games that pull in every sense except maybe smell. That one might be next. The point is, it takes a lot more now to truly connect.
To make sure a message is heard and remembered in a business presentation, we have to involve more than just the ears. People are hit with a flood of information every day. If we want to break through the noise and make something stick, we have to use every sense so we can to engage the audience fully.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Touch
While speaking to a group about how quickly ideas can slip away, I passed out hotel-sized bars of soap and asked everyone to write three key points on the wrapper. Those little soaps are nearly impossible to hold. They shoot out of your hand like they are late for an appointment. That simple struggle became a funny and powerful reminder of how easily thoughts disappear if we are not intentional. People could touch it, smell it, and fumble with it. That physical connection helped the message land. A slippery bar of soap made the lesson stick.
The more senses we involve, the better chance the message has to stay with people. When you give them something to hold that ties into your point, the idea moves from their ears to their memory. The hotel soaps worked perfectly. They were easy to get, and the staff handed them over with a smile.
Too often we believe our energy alone will carry the message. A little passion, a few big gestures, and we expect the audience to catch on. Sometimes that works. But if we want something to last, we need to think beyond movement and sound. When we involve more senses, the content becomes the part people actually remember. A little extra thought can go a long way.
Once, when speaking about the power of words, I handed out tongue depressors and asked people to write on them. Years later, someone pulled one from their bag. They said it reminded them to choose words with care. That plain little stick had become something meaningful.
Next time you prepare a presentation, think beyond slides and sound. A small object might turn your message into something they truly remember.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Taste
A great meal leaves a lasting impression. I cannot recall every meal I have ever eaten, though my waistline might disagree, but I do remember the ones that stood out. A strong presentation works the same way. It lingers, like a favorite flavor you can still taste long after it is gone. When planning your next talk, consider how taste could play a role. What flavor matches the message? It might seem unusual, but if the goal is to make people remember, involving more senses can help. Taste may be tricky, but it is not off limits. A mint, a piece of chocolate, or a snack that fits the theme can go a long way in helping your message stick.
Once, while speaking about the value of refreshing friendships, I had volunteers pass out small glasses of ice water. Another time, I spoke about a group’s quirky personality and handed out 7-Up. Back when it was proudly called the Uncola, it made perfect sense. On a blazing summer day, while talking about renewal, I passed out Dixie Cups of ice cream. The room loved the treat, but more importantly, the taste helped make the message real. People were no longer just hearing my words. They were experiencing the idea in a personal and memorable way.
Taste has a powerful link to emotion and memory. If you can connect your message with a specific flavor, your audience will remember it long after they leave the room. A creative use of taste can turn a simple moment into something meaningful.
As you prepare your next presentation, think about flavor. Is there something small that could help carry your message further? Taste might be the extra touch that brings it all to life.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Smell
I was outside the other morning when the fresh air and scent of rain made me stop and breathe deeply. I do not often think about the sense of smell, but it plays a powerful role in how we experience life. Maybe you have driven past a skunk on a country road or woken up to the smell of bacon sizzling in the kitchen. We wrinkle our noses at vinegar but breathe deeply near a coffee shop. Smell lingers longer than we realize.
When preparing a presentation, we rarely think about using scent. Unless it is mentioned in a joke after we speak. But smell is one of the five senses that helps us experience the world. It can also help your message stick.
I once gave a talk on the hope of looking forward. It was the middle of winter in Minnesota, and spring felt far away. I lit spring-scented candles before speaking, and as the room filled with that fragrance, the message became more than words. It became a feeling.
Smell is strongly tied to memory. One whiff of fresh baked bread takes me back to Sunday mornings in my childhood, riding to church past the Wonder Bread Bakery in our old Chevy. If we include scent in a presentation, we invite people to connect with a memory or create a new one.
Once, I spoke on a verse describing prayer as a sweet aroma. I lit fragrant candles around the room. The scent gave people something to connect with, something beyond the idea itself.
Before your next presentation, ask if there is a way to use smell. A small scent can lead to a strong memory. And that memory may carry your message further than you imagined.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Sight
What do you see when you attend a presentation? More importantly, what do people see when you are the one presenting? They see you, of course, along with your slides or flip charts. But what else grabs their attention? We live in a world raised on constant visual input. People expect something fresh. PowerPoint can feel tired, and flip charts often seem stuck in the past. So how do we keep things visually engaging and meaningful?
I once gave a talk on the commercialization of Christmas while wearing a Santa suit. It was hard to ignore the point. On Easter, I used a bunny costume to mix humor with meaning. For a more serious subject, I went with a gorilla suit and reminded the group not to monkey around. Each outfit helped make the message stick. The costumes were silly, but the lesson landed.
Too often, we think we have done enough by showing a few slides or writing on a board. Yes, polished visuals have their place. But people are hungry for more. They want something they have not seen before. Slides can only do so much. If you want them to remember your message, show them something unexpected.
Our expressions, gestures, and movement already serve as visual tools. But we can push further. I once watched a presenter fill a jar with big objects, then smaller ones, then sand, and finally water. The point was simple. You have to put the big stuff in first. I still remember it because I saw it happen.
In your next presentation, think beyond the usual tools. Ask yourself what the audience can see that will bring your message to life. A strong visual can turn your talk into something they carry with them.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Sound
Have you ever heard something mid-conversation and suddenly asked, “What was that?” Sound is one of our most important senses. It alerts us, draws our attention, and helps us decide what matters. Ever notice how one word from across a room can pull your focus instantly? Pause now and listen closely. You might be surprised by how much you were tuning out.
During a presentation, your audience hears more than just your voice. Use that to your advantage. Find ways to engage their hearing in ways that support your message. I once heard a speaker on time management use a quiet ticking sound in the background. When he revealed it was a watch, the message about time became powerful and unforgettable
Music can enhance a presentation when lyrics connect emotionally and are clearly displayed. Long instrumentals may cause the audience to lose focus. A well-timed sound can leave a powerful impression. I once used a cymbal to illustrate teamwork and a hammer strike to emphasize sacrifice, and both made the message unforgettable.
When planning your presentation, find ways to engage hearing beyond your words. It can move your message into their imagination.
Audience Participation Inspires the Senses: Synergy
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This lesson applies to many areas of life, including presentations. Too often we prepare just to get through it. We focus on organizing the content and making sure we do not look foolish. If we finish without a mistake, we call it a success. But true success is making an impact and helping the audience remember and apply the message.
There must be a better reason for giving a presentation than simply getting through it. We should be filling a real need and sharing something with purpose, knowing the material is important to those listening. What we share may seem small, but if it is missing, the entire message can fall flat like bread without yeast. A well-prepared message, delivered with care, is far more meaningful than a handful of scattered ingredients.
When preparing a presentation, we must understand the importance of the message we are sharing. This mindset allows us to be more creative and intentional in how we connect with the audience. Most presentations only engage hearing and sight, but adding taste, touch, or smell can elevate the experience. Involving more senses creates deeper learning, stronger participation, and a more lasting impact.
Instead of asking how to relate your points, ask how the audience can experience them. Plan for synergy in your presentation. This moves the audience beyond passive listening and into full engagement. That is where real impact begins.
Use Audience Interaction to Interact with All of the Senses of Your Audience
So remember that audience participation isn’t just asking questions to your audience. You want to make your presentations fun and interactive. Engage all of the senses for a better result! If you’d like to get your team to use audience participation better, contact one of our presentation specialists at 800-975-6151 for a custom quote.
AUTHOR: Craig Wagganer is a Keynote and Motivational Speaker specializing in Public Speaking.