5 Public Speaking Tips That Will Help You Engage the Audience
If you are preparing for a big public speaking performance, you will do well to remember that engaging your audience is one of the most important things. Whether you are doing a presentation or a speech, it will be the members of the audience that you will try to win over.
Thankfully, some proven ways will let you do just that. Read on if you wish to find out more:
Know all there is to know about the audience
In case you had any doubts, it is crucial to know your audience, well before you begin your preparations for the speech or presentation. Not only will this allow you to plan the topic, but also avoid saying or doing something that they may find offensive. Unless the setting is casual, i.e. you are just talking in front of your best friends, you will want to consider dress code and other factors that play a role in receiving your message. You will know how to approach the audience better if you know a little about their background. For instance, what age and gender they are, what is their occupation and even their nationality will allow you to prepare better and ultimately achieve greater success with your speech.
Pick your topic well and do relevant research
Getting people’s attention is only possible if you can actually interest them in what you are saying. All of your public speech will be in vain if your audience doesn’t find it enticing. And this is only normal, considering they are giving you their attention and time, possibly even money to hear what you have to say. So consider what your audience likes to hear, build a topic around after extensive research, and you will surely grab their interest. For instance, if you are at a wedding and you are the best man, it would be folly to try and talk about yourself. All of the guests are there to hear about the groom and bride; thus you should talk about them.
Break the ice
One of the main goals you should have when doing a public speaking performance is to win the interest and appreciation of your audience. The way you accomplish this is simple: get them to link with you right from the start of the speech. Of course, it is not just the start of the speech that is important, but basically any given moment you feel like the interest and attention of people become misplaced. A simple joke works wonders in that regard. A good and quick personal story or example you can give can also be quite a thing in terms of breaking the ice. If you are giving a presentation in front of a foreign audience, greeting them in their native language works wonders.
Make the experience interactive
Regardless of what kind of public speech you are doing, you have to remember it is not about you, but the audience. You are doing this for them, so make sure the experience for them is interactive. Answer any questions that pop up, plan out some quick games or activities with the audience, maintain eye contact with them and always manage the speech as a dialogue instead of a monologue.
Master the art of telling stories
No list of public speaking tips is complete without a point about storytelling in it. People love stories, and you can bet your audience will appreciate a good one. If you wish to be a successful public speaker, you need to know how to tell a good story. Think about the right story for your presentation and share it as an example with your audience. They will appreciate it big time.
By following these simple tips, you can definitely engage your audience. This, in turn, will make your speech much more effective than before.
