I design and deliver presentations on a regular basis, public speaking has never been an issue with me. But in all my travels I have seen a lot of common mistakes from the beginner to the professional. Presenter Pro (iTunes link) from Rexi Media takes aim at these issues and delivers a host of great tips and tutorials that will be of value to even the most veteran of presenters.
Rexi Media not new to the scene. They organize seminars across the U.S., designs bespoke presentation templates, and even has a virtual storefront in Second Life. Their iPhone app contains hundreds of tips, alongside an assortment of videos and even quizzes. More of a content based app rather than something that enables you to create new things, Presenter Pro is very good resource to have in the palm of your hand. Rexi wont turn you into a presenter in the class of Steve Jobs, at least not overnight, but the company does specialize in enhancing your presentation skills. Features, as quoted from the iTunes page:
- Advanced presentation skills techniques with eye-catching supporting graphics, audio, and video clips.
- A “tip shaker” for accessing hundreds of quick tips for your presentations. Shake the device while viewing any of the sections for a quick tip.
- A checklist feature, which enables you to store and e-mail any topic paragraph(s) you want to refer to later.
- A Notes feature for writing (and e-mailing) comments and notes. Exercises to practice your skills and knowledge check quizzes to help you remember the information.
The main screen breaks the app into several functional areas such as Structure, Visuals and Gestures. Each section contains several paragraphs of text on each topic; some even include video and audio, which over all enhances the learning experience. The Home section guides you through a method of creating a presentation; from structuring your message to creating visuals to the art of persuasion and projecting your voice. All of these are essential topics for any presenter, especially the beginner, to learn and master. There are even a few minute long videos packaged with the app. It would be nice to have a few more, especially downloadable content, because watching someone deliver information can be an very effective learning tool. They explore different techniques, such as building anticipation in your audience and using questions as a method for gaining interest in your subject.
The videos don’t feature any instruction, they’re bits taken from larger presentations, showing the use of a certain technique. I think if Rexi included a commentary-style voiceover to enhance the learning experience here it would of been an even great tool. In general though, the lessons are clear, concise and appropriate for individuals looking to enhance their presentation skills.
There are some nice little extra features, too, like sending text to the Checklist section for future reference. Plus, the presentation tips are certainly a welcome feature, popping up at random intervals. My only concern is that novice presenters may try to too closely copy the videos and one example that is given for audience interaction can be very dangerous to the presenter if not done right, basically playing devils advocate. This little app really shows the potential of the future of distance learning. Using this platform and method other companies can also create some real effective training aids. In addition to my glowing review, the app has got 5 stars across all customer reviews. If you’re getting into presentations, this might be the best $2.99 you’ve spent on your training.
