You may be thinking, “Look, the last thing I want is to have a conversation with my audience—just let me say what I have to say and get out of here.”
I’d encourage you to look at it differently when you have a chance to present your ideas to colleagues, clients, your professional association…anyone you might be speaking to.
The experts who plan meetings tell us that more and more, audiences want and even expect to be fully engaged. If you have a message you need them to hear, wrapping it in a lecture isn’t your best bet.
Here’s a one-minute recommendation for making a real connection …
Excellent ideas, Catherine, how to have a conversation “with” someone, rather than talk “at” them. Thank you.
Glad you found it useful, Bonita. More and more, the professionals who manage events say they want “engagement” from their speakers. The old approach of delivering a canned speech doesn’t fly anymore. (Which is good news for me, because if there’s anything I’m known for, it’s conversation.)
Always on point in providing a useful take away. Thanks, Catherine!
Useful and brief, Kris! There are always bonus points for BRIEF.
Thanks Catherine and perfect timing. 🙂
Kirsten, I’m thinking I’m thinking this one-minute thing might be the secret to success. And it’s a natural for me – I had tons of practice telling a story in 25 seconds with room at the end to say, “Catherine Johns, WLS News.”
Imagine…being real…and comfortable…in front of an audience. It’s easy to talk WITH them as you would talk with a friend!
Great advice!
Thanks, Karen. When we stay present and connected to the people in the room (or on the webinar or the conference call) they get so much more out of the experience. And it’s a lot more fun.