When it comes time to get the audience on your side, you need to fully implement as many strategies as you can. After all, whether you are presenting for a grade, to call others to action, or even to make a sale, then you have to know motivation and passion is everything. You need to figure out what makes the audience tick and you have to know exactly what you can do to get them excited and on your side as well. That is why when you are thinking about how to set up your next education presentation, you should keep some of the following items in mind for your best chance at success.
Appearance is Everything
Lefty Fretz will tell you that appearance is everything when you are in front of others. Whether that is performing, presenting, or just trying to teach. In general, people will make many assumptions about you and about what you can or cannot do just by how you look and present yourself. While that judgmental mentality may not be accurate, if you are trying to get the crowd on your side then you still need to dress for the part. It is for that reason alone that when you go to present in front of others, you need to not just steal the spotlight before you say a word, but you also need to find a way to captivate the audience throughout your entire presentation.
Maximize Your Audience
If you are trying to accomplish something such as sales or getting others behind a cause, then you need to maximize your crowd. It’s not just about trying to connect with people inside of your meeting place that matters, but rather you want to get anyone and everyone who is available and willing to listen to you that matters. That’s why you need to understand the power of something like large scale town hall events by BlueJeans. Instead of just having the handful of physical participants in the audience, you should be able to broadcast your message to the world. After all, it is important enough to bring information to others that should be heard, then you should try and bring it to as many ears and eyes as possible. With the ability to video conference, it means anyone anywhere can hear your message.
Make them Laugh
While it will depend on the time and place, you should figure out a way to make your audience laugh or at least smile early on in the presentation. According to Humor that Works, if you can get someone to smile or laugh with you, then they will be significantly more likely to trust you and believe what you say. They will be rooting for you before you have even told them about your pitch, and they may even be that much more likely to applaud, follow up with your call to action, and make a purchase as well. However, while you don’t need to have them in tears, you should at least focus on connecting with them. That is all getting them to smile or laugh is all about, so make sure you understand your audience before you try and get them on your side.
Speak to Individuals Within the Crowd
While one of the most popular methods of speaking to others is just choosing a specific individual in the crowd and talking to them the entire time, you also have to make sure you are doing whatever you can to come into contact with every member of the audience. By looking someone in the eyes you are subliminally speaking directly to that person, so if you can make as much eye contact as possible, then you will be completely able to increase the quality of your message just by moving your eyes. Plus, if you are going to present to others there is always a chance that they could drift off or become sidetracked. By continuing to look them in the eyes and move your physical presence around them, you could be that much more likely to keep them interested and engaged.
Regardless of why you are presenting, one of the most important things you need to do is to figure out how you can connect with other people and share your message with them. Sometimes, however, it isn’t just about your message that matters as much as it is the means by which you present your message and present yourself. If you can use some of the simplest tricks out of this list (and more) to get your audience on the same page as you, then you will be able to sell them anything. Whether it is a product or service, or just a point of view, you can get them on your level.
