Who in your audience is listening versus who’s doing?
Who in your audience is actually listening? And are they doing something after their listening?
Who in your audience is really listening? And are you making judgments about that listening? Or lack of listening?
At a recent 4-day seminar on the business of paid speaking, there were two young guys sitting in the back row, one on his smart phone and the other with his laptop open in front of him. I was curious: is this the new audience? So I asked if I could interview them.
Both said they were waiting for the good stuff, something that piqued their interest. It seemed so Gen Y – so different from how I grew up listening. I had my doubts about them, but shelved my thoughts. Why waste my thoughts on two guys who were barely paying attention? Besides, what could I learn from them? Was I surprised a few weeks later as their Facebook page lit up with their accomplishments! They were rockin’ their speaking/coaching businesses way beyond me!
Lessons:
- Just because your audience isn’t hanging on every word, doesn’t mean they aren’t listening.
- You may have to crank up your material or your delivery to reach the younger audience.
- They just may be the ones who …(are actually doing things)
Are you up on your techniques, your technology, and your engagement skills? Today’s audiences need, well, demand – engaging speakers, cool technology, the ability to be flexible, and the ability to engage your audience before and after, online and offline. Are you keeping up with your audiences? You need to find and create ways to increase audience listening, or engagement, at the key points in your presentation.
- Make sure to change up the cadence,
- Change up you volume,
- Add some interesting stories,
- Use the stage
- Incorporate some new technique and technology
Do you have stories or best practices to share about the ‘new audiences’?
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