Audience Involvement

Hi!

My last post was based on an evaluation I had just done and this one is no different. The speaker gave a well-researched talk on the advantages of Internet TV over Cable TV; the problem is that the audience wasn't a part of it.

In my "Parts of Speech" post in January, I recommended starting a speech with something that will draw the audience in. In the case of this topic, I'd recommend starting with a question: "Who would like to save $50 per month?" The key to an opening question is to ask one to which everyone in the audience will have the same (preferably affirmative) answer. Who wouldn't want to listen after an opening like that?

It doesn't end there, though! Keep asking questions!! They are also a great way to transition from one main point to another. For example, "Who has a high-speed Internet connection?" could be a great transition into a discussion on what's available on-line. In this audience, everyone did, but if you're not sure then you could phrase it differently.

Effective audience involvement will not only help you make a connection with your audience, but can help you keep it. It's the connection that makes a speaker more influential and persuasive, so strive to make it work.

Thanks,
Matt