Good speakers will tell you that it’s important to know your audience. Great speakers will collect information prior to their speech, then use those details to shape their remarks.
How can you do that? Ask permission to reach out to a few audience members prior to the meeting, conference, or webinar. Prepare two or three questions that you can ask, collecting specific responses that are relevant to your subject matter.
Let me give you an example. Say you’ll be speaking to an audience about consumer behavior. Drop an e-mail to some attendees before you’ve finalized your remarks, and ask questions that can help you customize your presentation. You might want to ask about their most recent purchase or ask how they select from various brands.
When completing your remarks, include specific answers, which you can reference by saying things like, “One audience member reported that …” or “Based on what you’ve told me …”.
There are so many benefits to using this easy tactic. You’ll engage the audience immediately. You’ll delight the event planner for delivering such a customized, thoughtful presentation. And you’ll create a more memorable experience for everyone.
