You want to make a lasting impression with your public speaking. How can you keep your audience engaged?

Go off script, but with a purpose. I love to get up on stage and immediately (or a minute in) bring up something funny that happened that morning. The key is to make it sound spontaneous, rather than "here comes a lesson!" There should be no lesson. It's just a connection point, and people pay attention to anything that sounds off script (again - plan your off-script moments!)

Como digo en mi libro “Escuela de Conferenciantes. Cómo convertirte en un speaker de éxito”, la regla número uno es no aburrir a tu público, porque “la gente dormida no escucha”

As much as possible, speak in your natural tone and vernacular. While you should never be overly casual, you should also not be overly formal. Often, when we are aspiring to speak "properly" we over do it especially speaking in a passive voice and/or being extremely rhetorical. Once you know your stuff, feel confident enough to convey it as if you are having a conversation - just with a really big audience. In fact, with that in mind, a little light humor never hurts as it goes a long way.

Emocionales. Y si es a través del humor (usado con respeto e inteligencia) mucho mejor. Es mi claim: haz que la vida merezca la risa y no la pena!

Be a ‘story teller’ yourself. Be believable through your words & ideas with meaningful expression. Be passionate: Your enthusiasm & passion for the topic can be contagious. Show your audience why you care about your subject. Use pauses for emphasis: Pauses allow your audience to process information, build suspense, & emphasize key points. A pause is your moment to capture the audience’s attention, people will hang on your next words with an appropriate well-placed pause. Practice, practice, practice: Learn to speak in a conversational approach, it will make your presentation more believable & relatable. Live within the time allotment & end right on time – you are conveying skill, expertise and respect of your audience by doing so.

This is the most important part of creating an impactful speech. Learn to speak in the language ,tone and manner that resonates with your audience. Cultural sensitivity is critical. Understanding the demographics of the audience is crucial. The same message can be crafted in different ways for different set of audiences. For example if you are speaking on ‘water conservation’ if the audience is school children then you speak differently, if it’s CEO’s you will use a different tone and different examples to explain your message. Always tweak your speech according to the audience you are addressing. The impact will be 10 folds more 😊

Agree 100! It is critical for us to own our knowledge and be comfortable sharing it. People respect us and what we share when we are comfortable in our own skin!

To make a lasting impression with your public speaking, keeping the audience engaged is key. Conduct thorough research to understand the demographics, interests, and expectations of the audience. For example, if speaking at a tech conference, researching the audience might reveal a preference for cutting-edge innovations. Tailor your content to align with their interests, incorporating relevant examples and industry-specific references. By understanding your audience, you can craft a presentation that resonates with them, making it more engaging, relatable, and far more likely to leave a lasting impact.

A melhor forma de estarmos em condições de encantar uma audiência é sabendo, com o máximo de detalhes possíveis, quem são os seus membros. Assim que receber ou convite ou confirmação para palestrar, envie um questionário rápido aos participantes ou aos anfitriões para que enviem a eles, no qual solicita informações como idade, género, profissão, expectativas e opiniões sobre o assunto do evento e dúvidas ou curiosidades relacionadas.

Know Your Audience: Understand the demographics, interests, and knowledge level of your audience. Tailor your message to resonate with them and address their specific needs or concerns. Start with a Strong Opening: Capture attention from the beginning with a compelling and relevant opening. This can be a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, a surprising fact, or a compelling story. Clear and Concise Messaging: Keep your message clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. Focus on delivering key points in a straightforward manner.

Its important to begin your presentation with a captivating opening statement or question that instantly grabs your audience's attention. This could be a thought-provoking statistic, a compelling anecdote, or a rhetorical question that piques curiosity. A strong hook sets the tone for an engaging presentation, capturing the audience's interest from the outset and making them eager to hear more.

Don’t overload your slides but use beautiful images to illustrate your points in an unforgettable way. This is also a great way to further secure your intellectual property because the slides mean very little without your distinct message.

A proven way to sustain audience attention is to keep them mentally busy with you. This means structuring your thoughts by answering the questions that pop up in their heads as they follow you. This is like having a dialogue with them, even if they do not speak. Every speech is a dialogue you have with their minds. Once you do they feel you're truly communicating with them and are addressing their needs, so they hang to your every word.

Begin with a compelling story in the first 5 minutes. Include these 3 elements of a great story: 1) your why and why the topic matters to your audience. 2) your key message / compelling idea. 3) the promise of a transformation - the value they can expect to get out of your presentation. Don't save the best for the last. Make the first five minutes matter. Your story is the 20% that delivers 80% of the results in keeping your audience hooked from start to finish.

Your hook is what draws them in and creates interest. Make sure that the beginning of your speech creates interest and makes them interested in hearing more. I like to start with a question as a hook to build intrigue. They wonder what’s next and which direction your speech is going to go. It’s always good to incorporate humor as this makes you relatable to them and builds trust by setting the audience at ease.

I love immediately connecting with people through sports, my background, and having bitter sport defeats. It creates a different element which is why I give my own intro. I want to tell the story not have a boring intro no one listens to. Set the tone with how you intro you. The long intros don’t matter.

To make a lasting impression with your public speaking, capturing and maintaining your audience's engagement is crucial. Begin your speech with a compelling and attention-grabbing opening that resonates with your audience. This could be a thought-provoking question, a relevant anecdote, or a surprising fact that sets the tone for your message. Establish a connection with your audience by addressing their interests or concerns early on.

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠,! Using humour is the best approach. Even better will be the impromptu comedy regarding something that occurred that day, particularly prior to the session.

I agree but it’s imperative to remember that you as the speaker are there to serve your audience through your speech, rather than your audience being there to serve you by listening to what you have to say. You are therefore not selling your hook, statistics or story, rather you are selling you. So whilst it helps if the opening is compelling and linked to the main topic of your speech, the key is that whatever you’re talking about is congruent with who you. Otherwise it won’t matter what you say, it could be the best speech you’ve ever written, the audience won’t buy into it because they won’t be able to buy into you. Trust yourself, put yourself in the audience’s shoes, talk from the heart.

Craft more than just a hook – forge a connection. Sure, a killer opening line grabs attention, but true engagement starts with building a bridge to your audience. Ask a provocative question that resonates with their experiences, share a relatable anecdote that sparks curiosity, or paint a vivid picture that invites them into your world. When you create a genuine connection, the hook isn't just a device – it's the foundation on which you build a presentation that truly sticks with them long after the applause fades.

A common mistake committed by numerous speakers is to try and include slides with a lot of data and information about the story that you are going to narrate . It takes the attention away from the narration and tends to dilute the story. Putting up an interesting picture or just a couple of words encapsulating your message will pique the interest of your audience towards your story

Weave stories and examples into your presentation to evoke an emotional connection with your audience. Personal anecdotes, case studies or relatable scenarios add a human touch to your content, making it more memorable and resonant. Emotions play a significant role in engagement, and storytelling provides a powerful vehicle for connecting with your audience on a deeper level.

Story telling is good, but a good story that is not relatable is bad. Tell a story that makes your audience feel like you are walking in their shoes (or you have walked in their shoes).

Be willing to be vulnerable. Not only do audiences appreciate humor, they appreciate huMAN. We are all human and have dealt with circumstances that make us feel vulnerable -- embarrassed, ashamed, less than, etc. Open up to your audience, where appropriate (no TMI). It will help them connect them to you.

Weave stories and real-world examples into your speech to make your content relatable and memorable. Humanize your message by sharing personal experiences or narratives that illustrate key points. Stories have the power to evoke emotions and create a connection with your audience, making your message more impactful. Additionally, use relevant examples and case studies to provide concrete evidence and practical applications of your ideas. Visualize concepts through storytelling, enabling your audience to better understand and internalize your message. This dynamic approach not only sustains interest but also enhances the overall retention and engagement levels of your public speaking engagement.

People remember a good story. So tell them compelling stories that illustrate what you are talking about. And give the story space for people to think about things for themselves.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. Write a tale with the intention of both entertaining and educating the audience. People recall your tales more vividly than usual.

Stories humanize the talk, allow you to connect with your audience. Stories and examples are also easier to remember. You should integrate every major point with an example or personal anecdote.

People can forget what you say, but will remember how you made them feel. Focus on building connections with your audience through storytelling. Find an experience that relates to your topic, and weave it into your speech. The right story can be used in a powerful way. If you want to build authenticity with your audience, share pieces of yourself. Keep it personal and relatable. This one might not apply to every speech, but it certainly applies to some — avoid using larger numbers when making a point or trying to quantify something, unless it is extremely relevant to what you are presenting. It’s easier for people to visualize statistics such as “1 in 4” than it is to visualize larger sums.

Keep your audience engaged by varying your voice modulation. Adjust your pitch, tone and pace to emphasize key points, convey excitement, or create suspense. A dynamic vocal delivery prevents monotony and adds a layer of expressiveness that captures and sustains attention. Practice intentional pauses for emphasis, allowing your audience to absorb critical information.

1- Don't underestimate the power of the pause. 2- Scan the room making direct eye contact with individual audience members. 3- Weave in Golden Threads or Easter Eggs, tying your stories together with elements. 4- Storytelling as they relate to universal truths. 5- Vulnerability, truth, honesty.

Varying your voice and body language is essential for maintaining audience engagement in public speaking. You can emphasise key points and keep the speech dynamic by altering your vocal pitch, pace, and volume. A monotone voice can make even the most exciting topic seem dull. Similarly, using body language effectively – like gestures, facial expressions, and movement – can convey enthusiasm and help illustrate your points. This non-verbal communication is powerful; it can engage the audience, underscore your message, and make your speech more memorable. Practice varying your voice and using body language purposefully to add depth and interest to your presentation, ensuring that your audience remains captivated throughout.

The Super Bowl XXVII… Michael Jackson pops up on stage from beneath the earth and proceeds to do absolutely nothing for well over a minute… yet this was one of his loudest performances ever! Pausing is one the most effective ways to get your point across, and sometimes, saying nothing at all can be the loudest thing you can do When pausing, 5 seconds can feel like an eternity, but trust me, time moves a lot slower for you than it does for your audience Pausing helps…👇 The audience digest and reflect on something important you’ve said Add emphasis to certain points and make them more impactful Give you the time to remember what comes next without looking unprofessional Sometimes, just shut up and let the silence do the talking!

One way to make it almost effortless for your audience to maintain attention is through your conversational style. Take a page out of your everyday interactions. When you’re telling a story or relating some fascinating information, you naturally vary your pitch, pace, and tone, slowing down for dramatic details and speeding through connecting narrative. You naturally gesture, both emphatically and descriptively. You naturally pause at the peak moments. Rehearse your material until you’re delivering it using your own conversational style. And if your natural style tends to be monotone, amp up the expressiveness until you feel a bit uncomfortable and theatrical. That’ll be about right.

Early on in public speaking, I found a coach who really made the difference in how to use my voice and gestures in a way that reflected me but did not distract. Recently, to up my game I took part in a group membership program hosted by Roger Love - the go to guy whether you are Tony Robbins or a commercial broker in ATL!

To make a lasting impression in public speaking, engage your audience by varying your voice and body language. By modulating your tone, pitch, and pace, you add dynamic elements to your speech. For example, when emphasizing a crucial point, you can slightly raise your voice, and during reflective moments, lower it for emphasis. Simultaneously, employ expressive body language to complement your words. Use gestures, facial expressions, and movements to convey energy and passion. For instance, if discussing a challenging journey, you might use expansive gestures to illustrate obstacles. This variety captures attention, adds nuance to your message, and prevents monotony while creating an engaging experience and leaving a lasting impression.

A big no ❌ is "monotonous voice" or robotic one! Guys, you are not reading the hot 100 news! Adjust your tone, pace and pitch according to the context and content of your material and try to connect with people. Adjust your body language accordingly and be confident and professional.

Using your voice to interact with the audience is a good way to heighten the emotional attachment to the story. The voice and pitch should not only match the emotion of the story but the eye contact should ensure people connect the the most relevant points. Another good communication skill is to make sure to pause after every 3 words to capture and keep the attention of the audience. It keeps them grounded and energy balanced throughout the presentation. It also helps to sustain interest a the way to the end.

Enhance audience engagement by stimulating multiple senses. Beyond sight and sound, consider incorporating elements like smell, touch, or encouraging imagination/visualization for a more impactful presentation. #publicspeaking #senses #engagement

Your audience does not want you to talk at them, they want you to talk to them. Interact with them, ask them questions and make sure they are apart of the conversation.

Remember, your audience is thinking this... 1) Is your act together? 2) Why am I still here? 3) Is this speaker just like me (connection)? 4) Am I bored with this and if so, will it get better? 5) Have I got other better things to do (if so, how do I escape)? 6) What benefits did I get from this that now will make my life better? 7) How can I have some more? A great keynote should be like a rock concert. You take them on journey to educate, engage, entertain and excite them. You train them to join your world, or they will train you to leave theirs alone. It all happens in the first 10 seconds (when you know how to get it right). They'll 100% do anything for you when you're not presenting AT them but having a conversation WITH them instead.

Integrate polls or surveys at strategic points in your presentation to encourage audience participation. Pose questions related to the content and invite attendees to share their opinions or insights. Analyze and discuss the poll results, creating a sense of shared involvement. This interactive approach transforms your presentation into a collaborative experience, keeping the audience actively engaged.

When honing your public speaking skills, focusing on authentic and honest interactions with your audience is paramount. Begin by establishing a genuine connection through relatable anecdotes or personal experiences. Transparency builds trust, so share your insights, even if they include challenges you've faced. Maintain eye contact to convey sincerity and actively listen to your audience's responses. Embrace vulnerability, acknowledging when you may not have all the answers. This openness fosters an atmosphere of authenticity. Encourage audience engagement by inviting questions and opinions. This not only promotes a dynamic conversation but also demonstrates your willingness to connect on a deeper level.

After studying, vetting, and building relationships with all kinds of speakers worldwide, I've noticed why some speakers are more successful than others. -Successful speakers know their work begins before they hit the stage. -Successful speakers understand how important it is to arrive early to events and engage with the people who will be listening to them. - Successful speakers understand being relatable and believable makes you memorable. -Successful speakers know how to get the buy-in from a listening audience. -Successful speakers know how to humble themselves, before, during, and after the speech is done. ✨They stick around after the event. Last, successful speakers know how to leave an everlasting impression.

Make eye contact with your audience. This helps in building a connection, making your presentation feel more personal and engaging.

“Martin I wish you would smile more” This was the BEST advice I ever got. And now it’s one of the first things I notice when I rewatch my performances or give feedback to others. Smiling is an instant rapport builder. It warm every situation up. The problem is when we are stressed we forget to do it. How to smile more? Forget about tying to be perfect when you present. Spend the final 5-10 mins before your talk focusing on how you feel. Tweaking content is going to do more harm than good. At this point your performance and non-verbal communication is what’s going to make the difference. Breath Go to the loo Stretch Turn off your phone Touch your toes Think of your partner, pet, kids, best friend - who ever makes you smile

Interaction makes everyone feel included and attentive which further enables us to keep everyone on their toes! So interact with them and choose any random ways like: Sir you look quite great today. Thank you for your insights ma'am. You guys are a wonderful crowd Is anyone here a fan of Michael Scott?

Interactive elements can significantly enhance the learning experience in an online course. Use polls, Q&A sessions, and real-time quizzes to maintain engagement and assess understanding. Encouraging audience participation through interactive exercises not only breaks the monotony but also fosters a sense of community among participants. Tools like breakout rooms for group discussions or collaborative platforms for shared projects can also add a dynamic layer to your presentation, making it a two-way learning street.

Break the 4th wall In theatre there is this concept when the actors on stage recognizes the audience instead of staying in the confines of the stage. Use that to your advantage. Make it clear that you are breaking that 4th wall because its more than a presentation its a discussion.

Conclude your presentation with a clear and compelling call to action. Whether it's urging the audience to apply what they've learned, explore further resources, or take specific steps, a well-defined call to action provides a sense of purpose and direction. Engage the audience's motivation by outlining the actionable steps they can take, ensuring that your presentation leaves a lasting impact beyond the event.

Do these 3 things 1. Apply the Primacy (start) and Recency (end) effect - which is the first and last thing people hear. 2. Create moments. For example if I’m having a drink and I spill water on myself - I create a moment and say, “Aaaaah damn now my pants are wet. That means I’m walking around with wet pants for the next 30min!” 3. Find a character voice. We all have one. Let that alter-ego character voice come out at certain stages. People will be surprised and welcome it! Get comfortable with doing these 3 things - and a presentation feels more “human” and we all human connection!

Más que con una llamada a la acción, yo acabaría con una pregunta impactante o una frase que se quedase botado en la mente de los espectadores. ¿Lo ideal? Que tuviera una relación directa con la frase de entrada con la que has arrancado tu discurso. Jamás, nunca, never acabes con un "esto es todo, muchas gracias si tenéis alguna pregunta...bla, bla, ba..." El arranque y el cierre de una conferencia son los momentos álgidos: aprovéchalos !!

I always recommend that you end your presentation with a summary of your key points and a “challenge” to the audience. Challenging your audience will gamify the CTA and create excitement around the execution.

To make a lasting impression in public speaking, engage your audience by concluding your speech with a compelling call to action. This prompts listeners to take specific steps based on your message. For example, if you're speaking about environmental conservation, conclude by encouraging the audience to participate in local clean-up events or adopt eco-friendly practices. This not only reinforces the key message but also empowers your audience to contribute actively. Ending with a call to action gives your speech a purposeful conclusion and motivates attendees to carry the impact beyond the presentation.

Leave your audience with something important message and action or you can call it a homework that will improve their life in some or the other way.

I know that evidence and facts are useful when making statements about a specific topic or situation. Presenting facts to show the difference between the positive effects and negative effects can help to explain what differences can be made when you are trying to make a change in a situation.

My goal is to Help the audience to do something after they hear me speak... a Call To Action is key to helping them understand what to do next. Sharing with them the steps that I have taken in my leadership journey applying the lessons I am teaching... gives them the specific direction they can take to implement the change in their own life. It is just A WAY, not THE WAY... I encourage them to be creative and do what works for them to move forward. For those who have a difficult time getting creative, I show them how it can be done... using the proven method that worked for me since I only speak on things that I have applied in my life.

Here’s the truth about public speaking: your audience is rooting for you! Think about your own behavior. When you attend talks, you hope the speaker succeeds, right? Your listeners feel the same way. They will forgive small mistakes if you provide real value. Often times, we are our own biggest critics on stage, fearing the worst! But the truth is, the audience wants you to succeed. They’re *for* you, not against you. Your job is to show up, prepared to meet or exceed their expectations. May this bring you comfort and confidence. Just show up, deliver, and trust that the process. You will be more supported than you think.

There’s a technique I have used for years around segmenting the session into narrative parts. Building tempo, etc to keep the audience engaged. There’s also value in surprise. That surprise can take on a multitude of forms. But catching the audience off guard is a great way to ensure both attention as well as leaving a lasting impression. While the degree and precise technique can vary, one under appreciated approach when presenting to adults is contrasting language. Insert some commentary. Perhaps even throw in an expletive to drive home the point. ‘Strategic swearing’ can leave a lasting impression, lighten the tone (when that’s appropriate), drive home the point of what the speaker is saying.

When working with presenters, I often share this Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Speakers must connect with their audience, to make them feel something, to generate buy-in and inspire action. We do this by being authentic, telling stories, being well prepared, knowing the audience’s comms preferences and expectations, and bringing accurate data which serves the story. Also remember, it's all about the audience and not about the speaker. So, speakers, take the pressure and focus off yourself and put all that [nervous] energy where it belongs - into listening to and really understanding what your audience needs.

Para mí lo primero es engancharte tu mismo/a con el tema y la sesión. Si en ese momento sientes pasión no tardarás en enganchar a la audiencia y contagiarla

Keep your energy high and remember to be genuinely interested in your own topic. If you've delivered a similar presentation many times in rapid succession, be sure to reset and go in fresh. Even with the most uninteresting topic, high energy, coupled with audience engagement, stories, and vocal variety, give you the power to educate, entertain, and/or galvanize your base.

🎤Captivating Your Audience: The Power of Pausing🌟 One of the most effective techniques I've discovered for engaging an audience is surprisingly simple: pause. Just slightly longer than usual. This deliberate interruption in the flow of speech creates a moment of anticipation and curiosity among listeners. Those already attentive become even more engrossed, while those who may have tuned out are suddenly drawn back in by the silence. Harnessing the power of the pause can transform an ordinary speech into a memorable and impactful experience, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Work on your breathing.Breathing plays a critical role in sounding you professional.Then Record yourself and listen.You will eventually see the difference. Also listen to good speakers

VISUALS. I cannot stress enough, if you're presenting something and you're the only visual stimuli, your audience is going to lose focus. Add visuals. Not just that, have interactive stories, sounds, one-liners. Make your audience feel 'present'. Let them immerse.

Talk to express, not to impress. There may be exceptions, but in no case should you compromise your authentic self. Which also means, be spontaneous with your audience - look at them, talk *to* them, and remember you are the same person before and after getting off the stage.

Be interesting but brief. If you understand your audience, and you know what you want to get across, the challenge is to do that in as short and powerful of a manner as possible. In today’s world, we are overloaded with information. You must eliminate any excess from your presentation.