HOME | TESTIMONIALS | BOOK FAITH TO COACH OR SPEAK
877.858.3848
facebook
twitter
email
Pincus Communications logo - Faith Pincus, speaker coach
  • ABOUT FAITHSpeaker, Coach, Author
  • SPEAKINGMotivational and keynote speeches
  • COACHINGIndividual and group solutions
  • Presentation Skills
    DVDs and Audio Packages

Blog Post

0 Comment

The benefit of being early

Jan 13, 2014
Faith Pincus

Some of the tips I have to offer about public speaking may take some time to teach well and even more time and practice to learn capably. But some hints can be summed up in a few words and executed easily by any speaker at any skill level.

One of my favorites is only two words long: Arrive early.

Be different. Surprise your audience. Introduce yourself to them one at a time.At most of the events where you will give a speech or presentation, there will be an informal meet-and-greet session. It’s tempting to want to skip this so you can spend a few last minutes going over your speech, but you’ll be much better served to show up in time to mix and mingle informally.

Whenever possible, arrive at least 30 minutes in advance and introduce yourself one-on-one to as many audience members as possible. Ask them why they are there and what they are hoping to learn from the program.

What does this do for you?  First, it gives you more information about your audience, so that you can tweak your presentation at the last minute (as needed) to better meet their needs.

Second, it helps break the ice with your audience.  It will remove the speaker/audience barrier and make you seem more human and approachable.  Why does this matter?  Because the more familiar you are to them, the more responsive your audience is going to be to you.  They will like you and respect you far more than if you come into the room with an air of superiority or distance. If they think you’re talking down to them or that you, God forbid, think you’re better than them, they will reject your message before they even hear it.

 

Stand out … even in a panel discussion

Last point on this subject:  These tips are useful whether you are speaking alone or on a panel.  In fact, when you are on a panel, it is even more important that you spend time connecting with your audience before the program. If, instead, you sit up at the table and chit chat only with your fellow speakers, you are strengthening a perception of “us” versus “them” – speakers versus audience.  It may not overtly put them off because that’s what most people do, but it certainly won’t help you connect with them.

So be different.  Surprise your audience.  Introduce yourself to them one at a time; shake their hands; and remember to get some piece of information that will help you fine-tune your speech on the fly to even better meet their needs.

And if you can mention one or two of the audience members during your presentation to show that you remembered them, they will never forget you.

Speech Advice By Email!
No Spam -- Guaranteed
About the Author
Speaker, coach, author and strategist, Faith Pincus has advised CEOs, Non-Profit Leaders, and some of the nation's top attorneys on core communications issues for the past 25 years.

Social Share

  • google-share

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

Search The Site

Popular on Voice of Success

Bar Associations should create Toastmasters Clubs for their Members

4 Comments

Social Networking: Interconnections and the Future of CLE

4 Comments

CLE Speakers NEED Public Speaking Training

3 Comments

Top Tips Part I: Improving your Oral Argument

2 Comments

Upcoming Speeches &Training

Presentation Skills / Image Workshop

Faith holds a number of presentation workshops around the nation. For the latest workshops, call 877.858.3848.

Hear What They Have To Say

Copyright 2013, Pincus Professional Education, LLC. All rights reserved.