extrovert |ˈekstrəˌvərt|
noun
an outgoing, overtly expressive person
Even if you consider yourself an extrovert and are naturally more comfortable with public speaking, you can still benefit from these public speaking tips:
- Your audience members are your friends. Sit beside them, sit on their laps, gaze into their eyes, get comfortable. Remember, it’s a conversation, not a presentation.
- Hook them from the start – Nothing hooks your audience more than a joke. But why just tell a joke? Start off with a story – preferably personal – so they can connect with you and whatever it is you are telling them. Tell them about how much you miss your ex and how you actually, unironically, do enjoy taking long walks on the beach
- Keep them guessing – No matter how many images or illustrations you inserted into your Powerpoint, it’s still boring, because it’s a Powerpoint. Keep your audience engaged by spontaneously leaping, dancing, or breaking into song. Bonus points if you do them all at once.
- Don’t keep it one sided – No one wants to sit and listen to someone speak at them for many many minutes, no matter how charismatic the speaker is. You and your audience members are one big family, and sharing is caring. Ask them questions and listen intently. Bonus points if you ask them about material you previously covered. Find out about their exes. Ask them if they like to take long walks on the beach. Which beach? Mighty Beach? That’s near your house isn’t it? Look at that, the world is so small!
- The main reason people attend conferences, workshops, and events, is to feel bigger than themselves; to feel like part of a group. Nothing will make your audience happier at the end of your presentation if there is a large group hug, or if everyone breaks out in song in one unified voice. Bonus bonus points if it’s a Daddy Lumba, Papa Shee, or Rex Omar classic
*Photo Credit: Nintex.com
