Whether you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate, or expert speaker, there is always room for growth. It goes without saying that great speakers (such as Tony Robbins or Magic Johnson) are applauded for more than just fancy, hollow words. The information effective speakers deliver is impactful, relevant, and applicable for a variety of audiences. When it comes to effective speaking, be aware of a “one-size-fits-all” approach as this can easily turn your efforts into a disaster. One must carefully consider the atmosphere they are speaking to while applying very basic social skills. Finding the perfect balance of expertise and audience engagement is a dance, no doubt, and very few individuals are able achieve, much less maintain it.
Effective communication begins with our roots for both the speaker and audience. All it takes is one word and the whole scene changes. When approaching the podium, there are some key things to consider if your end goal is to not only engage the audience, but encourage them to a call to action.
- Avoid stuffy verbiage: There is a sure way to turn off the audience and that is through an excessive use of fancy words not commonly used or understood. This can depend on the audience and industry but proceed with caution. More times than not, you’re not impressing the audience but challenging them. In the theme of relativity, keep it simple and powerful.
- Audiences need to feel a connection. The human connection keeps the speech at a conversational level instead of a lecture. Keep in mind, the average attention span is now eight seconds and this number is steadily decreasing with time. It’s estimated that it will decrease by 88 percent per year, according to reports. As these average changes, so must the approach in capturing the audience early. Capture the audience with relatable, easily-digestible hooks early on.
- Some of the greatest speeches are simply that – a speech. Props, video clips, and other materials can serve as more of a distraction instead of supporting the message. Recall the attention span average and consider how much time you have between recapturing attention once the video clip is concluded? These “breaks” in between the speech require you to re-capture the attention and maintain it all over again. Sure, including these elements can also help bring the attention to a specific point, but carefully consider its impact before relying on it.
Considering these tips can greatly impact the overall effectiveness of your speech. More importantly, creating a connection and impression with the audience early in the relationship will support future engagements and interactions – think of it as a call to action driven by comprehensive, applicable, and informative expertise. This is where great relationships begin from a professional and networking standpoint.