Flipcharts are one of the most common tools in meeting rooms, but surprisingly enough not a lot of professionals would actually call themselves flipchart experts. In fact, the majority only uses the flipcharts to take a few notes or even avoids them completely. That’s a real pity, because the flipchart is actually a blank canvas that can be used to visualize big and small ideas. Did you ever wonder how you can use flipcharts in your presentation to impress and engage with your audience?
We have asked Birgit Nieschalk (www.flipchartprofi.com), human interaction facilitator & flipchart hero enabler, why she loves flipcharts, how you can easily get more out of your flipcharts…and how you can make your meetings, workshops or brainstorm sessions more impactful.
That was actually in a seminar I attended. I didn’t see a single PowerPoint slide for three days. Instead, the essential points where beautifully visualized on a flipchart. As a participant, I was so much more engaged and it was very easy to memorize the content. That was when I decided that I needed to learn more about this medium.
Oh yes! Everyone can create effective flipcharts. It is all about knowing what goal you are pursuing by using the flipchart and making use of the right tricks for that. Actually, graphically talented people have a harder time as they often lose themselves in details and tend to forget about the actual goal.
All you need to create better flipcharts is the knowledge on how to make use of a few psychological effects and a little practice of clear handwriting, symbols and how to structure information.
Again, this depends on the pursued goal. Preparing flipcharts helps you to structure information upfront and you can take your time to concentrate on a clearer writing and add colors or symbols to make it look nicer. Some people feel more confident doing that. Writing or drawing in front of people on the other hand gives you another bonus. Seeing the information and pictures emerge, the brain remembers it better as if it has co-created it. So decide which effect you need more to reach your goal.
