Presentations – Facing the Audience

Throughout my blog articles, I have talked about my sincere desire to help develop future leaders in sales for the tourism, hospitality, and attractions industry.  One of my most successful accomplishments in this endeavor is when I can speak to an audience that is currently engaged in sales or is interested in pursuing a career in sales.   That is why I eagerly look for opportunities to speak at conferences, corporate entities, or universities.   A dear friend and former colleague once sardonically remarked, “The last thing you ever want to do is give Paul a microphone.”   I took that remark as a compliment and wore it as a badge of honor because it meant that my public speaking abilities were recognized and appreciated.

Ever since I started to speak many years ago about sales, tourism, hospitality, and attractions, I have challenged myself to continuously improve on my preparation and delivery.   Maintaining the attention of an audience for any duration of time is always a challenge.  The content must be meaningful, and the delivery must be clear, succinct, and often, “entertaining.”   It must capture the imagination and interest of the audience to, as they say, “stay attentive and awake.”   With each speaking engagement, I review my performance with great intensity and tenacity.   Reviews from the audience help and thus I am always asking for their feedback.   However, I must be harder on myself than the audience.  

There is a long list of questions to consider but simple questions like the following can begin the review process:

1. What worked, what didn’t work, why did it work, why did it not work?

2. What excited the audience?  Why?

3. Was the material delivered easily understood? 

4. Did the material and delivery evoke a response, the proper response?

5. Did the delivery engage the audience, and draw them into the presentation?

6. Was it a one-sided monologue or was there the much-needed and sought-after interaction?

7. Did I just talk to the audience, or did I talk “with” the audience?

8. Did the audience have specific “takeaways” that can be actioned upon and remembered?

9. How did the audience receive the speaker and the time during the presentation?

10. Would this audience come back to another one of my presentations?

Speaking is a skill and like any other skill, requires practice.  

Presenting a message that you are familiar with and passionate about is a start to success.   Making a presentation is never easy and that is why we practice, practice, and practice some more.   We Practice knowing the material, identify and concentrate on where and when to punctuate, accentuate, the proper infliction on tone and manner at the proper time, proper diction, enunciation, pronunciation, and much more.  Anticipating a reaction from the audience is also helpful.   Preparing for a presentation is time-consuming and can be painstakingly nerve-racking but that is what makes it worthwhile, fun, and exciting.   I practice for hours, days, and weeks to make sure I can do the best job possible in delivery.   The reward is when the message is well received and understood by the audience.

The audience is important and should always be respected.  

We owe it to the audience to find the best way to win their attention so that they can focus on the overall message.