Secret #4 - Have a conversation with your audience
Most people will stand in front of their audience and lecture rather than having a conversation with them.
When you are talking to your audience think of it like having a conversation with just one person and 100 people are eavesdropping.
You can achieve this by using YOU focused language. Rather than saying “Today, I will show you…” say “Today you will learn…” It’s a small thing but can make a big difference. If you can say it to one person then you can say it in front of your audience. A World Class Speaking principle is the hallway test. Say your line as if you were passing someone in the hall way. If it works, then you can use it. An example of this is: As you are passing someone in the hallway say “How many of you have been to Apps World?” This sounds funny when you are talking to just one person. Change it to “Have you ever been to Apps World?”. Better.
Another way to have a conversation with your audience is with “asides”.
This is where as you are telling your story you pause, step out of your story and ask the audience something like “Have you ever experienced that?”, then you pause again, wait for a response then step back into your story. This shows your audience that you are still thinking about them and how they can relate to your story.
Be sure to evaluate your audience's level of knowledge on your subject
Before you start to craft your presentation, make sure you understand your audience.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I talking to managers who want a high level summary with recommendations?
- Am I talking to colleges that want the details of how I came to my conclusions?
- Am I talking to investors that want to know how my product or company will make money?
- Am I talking to clients that want to understand how my product or server will help them do their jobs easier or more efficient?
Depending on which statement best describes your audience will determine the level of detail you will include and the language you select.
You don’t want to talk over your audiences head by using too many technical terms. You are not hear to impress them with your knowledge, you are here to show them how you will be able to help them achieve their goals.
When you use their language and talk with them about your solutions rather than at them, you will find they are more willing to listen to what you have to say. This makes them more receptive to your ideas and concepts.
Your audience does not want to be lectured to.
They want to participate in the conversation. Ask questions during your presentation then wait for the responses. When you say something funny allow your audience time to laugh. When you make an important point allow your audience time to process what you just said before moving on.
You can learn more about how to use the pause more affectively in my blog post “public-speaking-the-power-of-the-pause”
