3 Lessons on Grabbing Your Audience’s Attention

I recently attended an event that had several speakers in the line up. Speaking publicly is not easy, as I am discovering in my own journey of public speaking and conducting workshops. So I watch, listen and learn. Everyone has something to teach me.

And I do learn.

I have shared the stage with a lot of great speakers as well, and I’ve learn from them what works and what doesn’t. Interestingly enough, the lessons I learn are applicable to my ‘off-stage’ performance in social media, networking events, and marketing tactics.

Two things I have learned are worth sharing. These are appropriate if you speak publicly but they are also valid in other circumstances. If you are in sales or if you engage in social media - then these same lessons apply.

Lesson 1: Don’t have all the answers. 

I have spoken several times with Wendi-Caplan Carol from ConstantContact. She is brilliant at keeping the flow conversational. She does this by asking questions that are more than likely on the minds of many of the attendees. This puts her in their seat and endears her to the audience (and to me). This also gives the presentation a casual flow, so the audience doesn’t feel like they are being spoken to but gives them a sense of being a part of the conversation. This makes them more engaged, more open to learning, and more present. So think about the questions your audience might have – and ask the question – put it out there.

Lesson 2: Pari passu.

This is a Latin term meaning “equal footstep” or “equal footing.” It is sometimes translated as “with equal force” or “moving together.”

When the crowd is louder than you – join in and get loud too! Not in an aggressive way but having as much fun as they are having. You cannot be heard if the audience is busy making noise. I watched painfully at a recent event as the speaker forced themselves to get their prepared message out to the audience – an audience that was having way too much fun to stop and listen. For them to have been heard – they could have joined in the boisterous goings on and reeled the audience in. Instead, they were drowned out and no one I spoke with later that evening heard what was said. Talk about a lost opportunity.

Lesson 3: Match your audience’s tempo.

If they are serious then be serious. If they are quiet, start off quietly. The idea is that you can not be at opposing ends of a spectrum and be heard – you need to step in where and how your audience is and then you can earn their attention and guide them where you want to go. Pari passu – moving together. I like the sound of that.

This requires that you get outside of your comfort zone. Especially if you have practiced, rehearsed, and prepared to guarantee a successful speech or presentation. But if the audience doesn’t want to sit and listen then you really can’t force them to, or even hope they will give you their attention. You have to earn it. You will have to set all that preparation aside and trust that it will come out naturally as you jump into the fray and participate. Pick up the pace – acknowledge their fun or rants – let them know you are listening to them and in return they might just lend you their ears.