Easy Tips for Engaging an Audience
Public speaking is a tough thing to do well. Jitters get in the way as well as lack of experience. However, for those that have mastered it, there are a few tactics that will allow the speaker to grab the room and keep them engaged, ultimately, positioning you as a good public speaker and subject matter expert.
Make a Hot Start every time: Forget the boring and predictable openings and instead grab the audience’s attention from the start.
Use the “B” button: If you're using PowerPoint, hit the "B" button, which makes the screen go black. It brings all the attention to you … the expert. If you're not using a PowerPoint presentation, the "B" button strategy could be asking people to shut their eyes or close their notebooks. The idea is to get people to focus on something new.
Don’t worry about being humble: Being a guru is something that other people should call you. Don't come across as a know it all. Being humble while being an expert is a tough thing to do, but it makes you believable and honest.
High probability is where it's at: When you ask questions of the audience, always start with “high probability questions” where you’re certain they have an answer (i.e., How many of you use Facebook or how many of you went to college?)
Mind read if you think you know what the audience is thinking: Mind reading your audience is a pretty simple tactic. Mind read if you think you know your audience's concerns or apprehensions. Mind read anytime you want to let the audience know that you understand where they’re coming from. For example, if you know your client is hesitant to make a decision on leveraging social media channels because of the lack of staffing resources, bring that point right up front and talk about how it can be addressed.
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