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THE AUDIENCE: how to win their attention/interest
"Grabbing & keeping audiences in the game": when you are giving a public address, attendants have to demonstrate interest in your address! "The 2 words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through." - Sydney J. Harris
You need to communicate with your audience and involve them in the speech/presentation. Let them know you enjoy presenting to them; that you are glad to be there and you are enjoying your address; and that you appreciate their company & their attention/interest. How to grab the attendants/audience's attentionThere's several proven strategies that you, the public speaker/presenter could use to naturally, effortlessly and enjoyably get the undivided attention of your listeners and keep it throughout the address/speech/presentation. 1. If at all possible, call the attendees or audience members, by their names. Name badges may be necessary in some cases. "A person's name is to that person, the sweetest, and most important sound in any language." - unknown 2. Involve your audience right from the start. Asking a question makes them feel part of your presentation and grabs their attention instantly. It tells them that something concrete and worthwhile, that they would be interesting in hearing, is on its way. That is why your question should be relevant, interesting and unexpected. It goes without saying that after you've made them nod in agreement, raise their hands, smile or laugh, they will become more attentive and really turn into participants. 3. Another way of grabbing and keeping the audience involved throughout your presentation/speech/address is to outline it clearly to them. Tell them what your presentation is about at the beginning to arouse attention. 4. Get the attendants/audience to relax. To get everyone else in a relaxed mood, you first need to be relaxed yourself - or at least appear to be.
Don't bore your audience - they are only humanKeep it real & simple, don't bore the audience with unnecessary details No matter how interesting your topic is, try and reduce the clutter. Keep it simple. Do not give unnecessary detail, give details only if/when it will add something to their experience. Yes, you have to talk, otherwise you wouldn't be here, right? but always remember: "To talk much and arrive nowhere is the same as climbing a tree to catch fish"- Ancient Chinese proverb You have to talk progressively and be interesting. Talk is not cheap, it is expensive - it takes people's time and attention. Make it worth their while!
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