Your audience decides whether to keep listening within the first 30 seconds. Forbes published an article by Carmine Gallo stating positive (and negative) impressions are formed and will affect the speaker’s credibility and ability to make a point, sell an IPO, and be memorable. The kiss of death for any speaker? Losing their audience’s interest. But that’s fixable! Here are three tips to consider making your speech count.
Tip 1: Start with a Strong Hook
Grab attention immediately with a surprising fact or a brief, compelling story. Dive straight into the most interesting part of your message—skip the slow buildup.
For example, you could start with: “The average professional gets over 120 emails a day. How many actually get read?” I also suggest adding another question or two because if the first question doesn’t interest the listener, you’re not done trying. Other questions following this line of questioning: “What’s the cost of missing emails to the receiver for their credibility and effectiveness?” or “What if this could be avoided through a simple and effective strategy?” Multiple questions highlight a common problem and sparks curiosity about your solution. (pro tip) And please, pause between the questions to give your audience time to think about your questions.
Tip 2: Make It About Them
Your audience wants to know, “What’s in it for me?” Answer that question right away. Tie your topic to their goals, challenges, or interests. Use language that puts them at the center. If you don’t know your audience, your words will be vanilla and not keep the interest you just captured.
Phrases like “You’re here to make a bigger impact in your meetings” or “If you’ve struggled to get your message across, this is for you” show you understand their needs. Shift the focus from yourself to them. You don’t need to tout your accomplishments, show them your expertise with humor, empathy, facts, and ideas. Then they will know you’re worth listening to and learning from.
Tip 3: Offer Clear Value
Don’t be coy about offering your solution. Some speakers are stingy and want you to keep guessing. If you’re giving it all away in one speech, you don’t have much to give. Solve the problem you stated at the beginning and give them something to chew on.
For example: “By the end of this talk, you’ll know a three-step framework to craft messages that stand out,” or “In the next few minutes, you’ll learn a simple technique to make your presentations unforgettable.”
Don’t be forgettable, be memorable!
No one aims to give a forgettable presentation. With preparation and adaptability, you can improve and become a memorable speaker. Which of these three tips will you use in your next presentation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
References:
Gallo, C. (2015, August 19). How are you perceived? Your audience decides within 30 seconds. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2015/08/19/how-are-you-perceived-your-audience-decides-within-30-seconds/