Home topics small-business-resources hot-tips Hot Tips PR Hot Tips Three ways to engage with the audience before you speak Michael Neaylon June 15, 2012 Engaging with the audience before you speak is invaluable, it’s as valuable as what you say on the day. Here are some powerful preparation techniques you can use to create inroads into the hearts and minds of your audience. Engaging with your audience is critical. As you’ve probably noticed, the best television advertisements generate an emotional response from the viewer. Remember the Old Spice ad – how engaging was that? While you don’t necessarily have to make them laugh or move them to tears, your task as a presenter is to resonate with your audience. Every audience is different. Some audiences will be naturally easy to engage with, others tough nuts to crack. If you’re an MD giving an announcement to celebrate a highly successful quarter and improved incentives for your people, then you’ll be warmly received. If you are a local government representative at a public meeting, there to explain which side of the town will be badly affected by the new bypass road, then you’ll encounter much more resistance. Regardless of the degree of difficulty inherent in your task, there are powerful preparation techniques you can use to create inroads into the hearts and minds of your audience. Three ways to engage your audience before you speak: 1. Survey a few people who will be in the audience ahead of time to make sure