Recently, a friend of a friend dropped me a message to watch a webinar. He was pleased to recommend it and did so earnestly, sure that if we both watched it, we would come away enlightened and inspired. I settled into my couch, flipped open my laptop, and tuned in with great anticipation.
The speakers began with a lengthy introduction, recounting their entire life histories. Ten minutes later, they began describing the type of person for whom the webinar was best suited. Ten minutes after that, I closed the laptop.
As a speaker, it’s important to recognize that your audience’s time is valuable. The people who chose to hear your presentation are eager to hear your message, not a sales pitch for another message.
Background information and context are important. Let them support your message, not obscure it.
