Presenting to a large audience? Are you unsure of how to start? Review these tips for successful delivery of speeches to business audiences.
Deliver a message they want to hear
Tap into why your audience came to hear your speech and make sure your content is highly relevant to them. If you miss the mark, you will create a lack luster atmosphere and it can be extremely uncomfortable to present to an audience that isn’t interested in what you have to say. Give them value for their time. Offer them something (a tip, a new technique) that they can take back to their workplace and apply today.
Describe a light bulb moment
Describe the reason you feel compelled to share this information and the discoveries you’ve made while researching or practicing this topic. Insightful, thoughtful realizations can make a profound impact on an audience and give them quotable moments.
Connect emotionally with the audience
The best speakers know how to elicit a range of emotions in an audience. Feeling sad, empathetic or horrified one minute, then made to laugh the next gets endorphins rushing.
Be energetic, show passion
A boring presenter is one who delivers a message without enthusiasm in a monotone voice. Emphasise points by increasing your voice’s volume and pitch. Walk around and get close to your audience. Use hand gestures or other movements to show emphasis.
Visual aids are there to support you
Don’t make the mistake of reading your PowerPoint slides or turning your back to the audience to look at your visuals. Use them as background to highlight your points and not detract from your delivery.
Be heard
Use a lapel microphone so that you are able to move around and be heard. This is especially important in larger rooms or if you typically have a softer voice.
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