Saturday, September 6, 2008

5 Instant Tips to Make Any Audience Love You

By Jane K.Thomas


Wouldn't it be great if you could make your audience love you without them even knowing it? Of course it would and this is probably at the very top of any speaker's public speaking tips wish-list!

But by simply incorporating just a few easy to learn techniques, you will be able to guarantee that even the toughest audience will come away thinking that you are one of the very best public speakers they have ever heard. By really understanding what an audience is looking for before you even begin to make your speech, you will be able to guarantee that they will make a positive connection with you as soon as walk out on stage.

So what should you do to make any audience love you?

Step 1.

The most important place to start is understanding exactly what your audience wants - and expects - to hear. Once you know what topic you will be speaking on, this is easily discovered from your initial research. It really isn't cheating to go and ask a few people who have an interest in the subject what questions they would like answered or what aspect is most important to them. Browse through the search engines or borrow books on the subject from your local library - you'll soon get an idea of what is in your audience's minds.

Step 2.

Now you must concentrate on building an easy rapport with your audience. The best - and easiest - way is simply to remember to smile and make eye contact throughout your delivery. You are a warm and friendly person, so make an effort to let your audience know that too! One very important tip that is overlooked by so many public speakers is to be in the room or auditorium whilst their audience is arriving. This gives you the chance to greet a few people personally and will ensure that you are far more memorable than other speakers. Your audience will also feel that they already know and like you before you are formally introduced on stage.

Step 3.

Use words and language that is appropriate for the topic and that your audience will understand. This shared knowledge will endear you to your audience but be very careful not to over-do the jargon. Remember, it's a fine line between appearing to really understand the subject and being seen as a know-all!

Step 4.

Make your speech for your audiences' satisfaction and fulfillment - not yours. Deliver as many benefits to them as you can and make sure that you satisfy as many wants from the following list as possible. Any audience wants to be informed, entertained, educated, emotionally or spiritually fulfilled or to be shown how to gain some financial or health advantage. Provide a solution to a problem they may have and they will love you for it.

And the very best of all public speaking tips?

Step 5.

Relax and appear confident on stage.

It is a basic truth that your audience will mirror the emotion you are projecting on stage, so if you are embarrassed, uneasy or hesitant in your manner, they will be too. But If you are at ease, then your audience will be at ease also. However, if you are giving out signals that you are comfortable in their presence, have respect and affection for them and appreciate their attention, then they will sub-consciously return the compliment to you. They will feel warm and appreciative towards you, guaranteed!

If you can incorporate these public speaking tips into every one of your presentations, you will quickly discover that making your audience love you is an easy and natural process and one that you will wonder how other, less successful public speakers manage to do without.

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