As a speaker, giving full value means getting the attention of your audience right at the beginning of your presentation. Don’t just tell your them you care. Engage them with heart-felt conviction.Show your audience your focus is absolutely on them and meeting their needs.
Over the years I’ve watched countless presenters ask their audience, “How are you feeling today?” or tell the audience that they are so excited to be at this event and have the opportunity to speak. While positive words are coming out of the presenter’s mouth, little or no eye contact is being made because the speaker is too busy shuffling with notes, or getting ready to queue up the very first power point slide.
If your attention, as a presenter is directed to something other than your audience when you walk onto center-stage, stop!
Don’t ask me, sitting in your audience how I am feeling today if you aren’t looking at me for the answer. Face your body toward me. Make eye contact with me.
While these two gestures might seem small and insignificant, they have a profound impact on the hearts and minds of those sitting in front of you. If you are excited and pleased to be speaking to a team, to a company, or to conference attendees, don’t just tell them, show them. Help them realize and understand that they have made a good investment of their time in listening to you.
As a speaker, giving full value means getting the attention of your audience right at the beginning of your presentation. Engage them with heart-felt conviction. Set the tone. Show your audience that your focus is absolutely on them and meeting their needs.