The Quickest Way To Connect When You Speak
When you speak, how can youย quickly connect with your audience?
Some people say it’s the first 30 seconds. Grab your audience quickly, or youโll have to work very hard to persuade them to accept your message.
While this is true, there is an even better opportunity to connect with your audience. Many speakers, even the highly paid, miss this opportunity. ย It occurs before youย step on stage.
What is it?
Your introduction.
The Problem With the Typical Introduction
Think about most introductions you hear. A common example may be:
โOur speaker today is a highly accomplished salesperson in the pharmaceutical field. ย She is a four-time recipient of the Albert J Lotsabucks Award. ย She’s led her team to ‘Top Performing Branch’ 3 out the past 5 years. ย She is a graduate of Brown University. In addition, she has (blah blah blah blah blah blah).”
On the other hand, some speakers are introduced with somethingย as simple as โHereโs Johnny…” There’sย no buildup, so you donโt know why the speaker is qualified to be standing in front of you.
In either case, is the audience really inspired to listen?
NO!
Why?
Each audience member is thinking something like: โIโve got a busy schedule, I got in my car, ย fought traffic, skipped my dinner (or lunch, or breakfast), looked around forever for a parking spotโฆ..
This had better be worth my time.”
Is your introduction telling them whatย theyย will get if they listen to you speak?
While your credentials may be impressive, they don’t care. Not until they know what theyโll receive.
A Better Way to Be Introduced
Does this sound more appealing to the audience:
โHow would you like to have an extra two hours a dayโฆ without giving up your sleep? ย
How much more fulfilling would your life be if you could delegate tasks which stifle your productivity?
Todayโs speaker used the ideas she’ll share with you to create more time in her schedule, and delegate tasks that were limiting her sales. This process enabled her to earn the Albert J Lotsabucks award four consecutive years; it can improve your life, too.
Please help me welcome…โ
Can you see how this introduction quickly answers the audience question of “Whatโs In It For Me?” Itย alsoย builds credibility. Notice how many uses there are of the words ‘you’ or ‘your.’ ย The interest of the audience is aroused, and theyโre more likely to listen to your stellar opening.
The next time you speak, grab the audience before you step on stage. Let them know why it will benefit them to listen to you, then let them know why youโre qualified to speak. In just a few short sentences, you can create a connection, and set the audience up for a presentation they wonโt soon forget.
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