Engaging Your Audience

Give them Something to Do

Ask an Open Question

No Excuses

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• Don't apologize in advance.
• Don't mention anything that made preparing hard.
• Just don't apologize, period.
• You deserve to be there. Period.

• Immediately.
• As in, can be done within a day of your presentation.
• Not always practical, but very attention-getting.

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• Don't act like you have all the answers.
• Shows vulnerability.
• Can be related to what you do know.

Share Something No One Else Knows

Repeat Yourself

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• People love interesting trivia.
• Find a way to relate it to your actual topic.
• Helps stick in the audience memory.

• Repeat your most important points.
• Don't let anyone miss them.
• Everyone zones out, you need to compensate.

10 Second Pause

No On-Stage Prep

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• Short pauses look unprofessional.
• Long pauses look planned.
• A ten second pause to gather your thoughts will look confident.
• Avoid hedge words and filler.

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• Prepare the stage ahead of time.
• Looks effortless and professional.

Questions?

• www.inc.com/ss/jeff-haden/20-public-speaking-tips-best-ted-talks

Engaging Your Audience

Emotional Story

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• Show emotion when you tell it.
• Connects with the audience.
• Humanizes you.

Repeat Questions

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• Especially if you have a microphone.
• Give everyone a chance to hear context.

Tolerate Interrupting Questions

• Consider answering an out-of-turn question.
• Skip ahead if necessary.
• Sounds more engaged and conversational.