When You Speak, Make Sure the Audience is Listening.

Midway in my career, I began to establish myself as a public speaker.  I was being invited to speak to various companies, corporations, organizations and at conventions about sales, and it gave me a chance to share personal experiences and best practices on selling.   It did not take long for me to realize that I enjoyed this very much.    Being in front of an audience was something I looked forward to, and I was always eager to receive an invitation to speak.  I started to prepare different presentations that focused on selling and the sales skills that produce results. I believed that the presentations were educational, inspirational, and motivational to salespeople, especially the younger ones who were just starting their sales careers. 

In the early stages, I mainly concentrated on content and delivery with my presentations.    The audience always seemed enthusiastic, energized, engaged, entertained, interested, and receptive.   They always applauded, which led me to believe the messages were being received.  

The audience was always the priority.

As my speaking opportunities grew, I began to pay closer attention to the audience.   Rather than just worry about my delivery, I wanted to evaluate more on how the audience was receiving my presentation.   I began to open my presentation with a request: “Let me know when you have decided to stop listening before I stop talking!”  It was meant to be an icebreaker, using humor to gain attention, a common practice with professional speakers. 

For me, it was a little humor to set everyone at ease, but it also was a relevant request to the audience. With a little bit of luck, they will remember this phrase throughout the presentation and signal to me appropriately if the assertion became a reality.

Public speaking is never one way.  

It is interactive communication and should never be, “I talk, and you listen.”     If you are going to speak, please make sure the audience is listening and wants to listen.  Whether speaking to a group or to someone individually, remember that you are trying to relay a point.   Maybe they will, or maybe they won’t comprehend, but if they are listening, you have a chance for them to comprehend.  If they are not listening, there won’t even be a chance.

Enjoy your presentations, but make sure the audience is listening to you.