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CONNECTING
WITH YOUR AUDIENCE by David
W. Richardson, CSP There
is one common observable feature of great communicators:
they all connect with their audiences.
They all reach out and make you participate in their
communication process. Make
contact with your listeners! Become
audience-centered. Reach
out to them. There is no magic involved here; simply be aware that
communication always includes feedback.
Don't just tell your audience what is on your mind -- connect
with them, work for reactions from them and adjust to them through
your words, voice, gestures and your whole body until they reach
your desired objective. Reach
out to your audience. Think
and speak for your listeners, not for yourself, and you will feel
your progress. Audience-centered
communication is the key to contact and success. Following
are 15 steps to help you connect immediately with your audience to
stimulate positive feedback: 1.
Establish
a warm, relaxed rapport with your audience. 2.
Take
charge of your presentation. 3.
Nail
your feet to the floor about a foot apart; position your hands
comfortably at your side. 4.
Stand
still and stand tall. 5.
Dress
the part. 6.
Position
your hands comfortably and above your waist.
Gesture to reach out to your audience. 7.
Pause
before you begin. Look
at your audience and smile. 8.
Maintain
eye contact with your listeners.
Involve them in a silent dialogue.
Try to make sustained eye contact with each person. 9.
Speak
loudly, clearly, and slowly; use animated conversation. 10.
Avoid
"non-words" (ah, um, you know, okay, like, etc.) 11.
Don't
apologize if you forget a point or leave something out -- work it in
or drop it. 12.
Be
yourself. Your audience
wants you to succeed. 13.
Be
sure your audience understands.
Explain through examples. 14.
Speak
on that which you have earned the right. 15.
Maintain
a positive attitude. Tell
yourself with genuine confidence that this will be one of
your best presentations ever. If you would like Dave's "5 Ways to Control & Use Visual Aids" please fax a copy of your business card with the words "visual aids" and your fax number to 480-451-9372 or send an e-mail with the subject line "visual aids" and including your name, telephone number and company information to speaking@richspeaking.com. To
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