<div style=”transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;” data-rss-type=”text”> n <div style=”text-align: left;”> n n We’ve all been a victim of a painful presentation. The speech that was far too long, took too much effort to sell to you and was frankly boring. The presentation that demands that the audience should endure this by being passive participants listening to a speaker who hopes to persuade, convince, and push to get their point across.n n </div> n <div style=”text-align: left;”> n <br/> n </div> n <div style=”text-align: left;”> n n Exceptional public speaking is never about the one delivering it but it’s easy to see yourself as the focal point of the presentation. However, the priority should be creating an audience-centered presentation. To avoid boredom in your presentation here are some useful tips to help you engage an audience.n n </div> n</div> n<h3 style=”transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;”> n n 5 Tips For Engaging Your Audiencen n</h3> n<div style=”transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;” data-rss-type=”text”> n <ul> n <li> n <b> n n Catch their attention.n n </b> n n Attention spans are remarkably short. It is estimated that audiences only pay attention for around 8 minutes at a time. It’s important to capture your audience attention within the first few moments of your presentation. Try telling a story that relates to personal experience, relate it to a current event or surprise them with something unexpected.n n </li> n <li> n <b> n n Be clear on your presentation goalsn n </b> n n . If your audience doesn’t have an obvious reason to be interested, then you need to tell them why they should listen. A presentation that doesn’t seek to make change is often seen as a waste of time and energy. Tell them how you will make their lives easier, help them grow, or be more efficient than ever before.n n </li> n <li> n <b> n n Speak clearly, be easily understood and brief.n n </b> n n Words are very powerful but only if the audience can understand them. Be sure to not talk over people’s heads. While you may be tempted to show off your vocabulary and knowledge, use only words and terms that your audience will understand. Stay on task. If your presentation drags on and on, your audience will tune out in record time.n n </li> n <li> n <b> n n Involve your audience and encourage interactionn n </b> n n . Invite your audience to participate. Find relevant, interesting and engaging activities that will encourage them to interact. Allow your audience members to ask questions, organize group discussions and encourage them to give feedback. The more the audience is involved in your presentation, the more memorable and valuable your message is.n n </li> n <li> n <b> n n Trigger action.n n </b> n n Every point that you make in your presentation should have a call to action that the audience can take and will put in motion a way to get them closer to the presentation promise. It’s even more dynamic if the audience can take at least one of those steps to action during your speech.n n </li> n <li> n <b> n n Have a great summary and conclusionn n </b> n n . Recap the essential points or arguments that you covered. Reinforce to them what the key points were for them to take away from your presentation. Then create a sense of closure or finality to the presentation. It’s important to remember that the conclusion is never the time to introduce new points or new supporting evidence as this will only confuse the audience.n n </li> n </ul> n</div> n<h2 style=”transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;”> n n The Takeawayn n</h2> n<div style=”transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;” data-rss-type=”text”> n n Audience engagement is an essential part of important meetings and presentations. Place the audience at the epicenter of your speech. When you make the audience the star of your presentation, persuading them becomes easier, relationships become deeper, and you become their reliable expert.n n <div> n <br/> n </div> n <div> n n Contact us if you struggle with your elevator pitches, sales & branding. We are here to help youn n <a href=”/”> n n solve all your communication challenges!n n </a> n </div> n</div>
