Gary's Newsletter 351: Connecting with Audiences
Posted by Gary R Collins on October 1, 2009 Comments 0
I expect to spend this month on the road, speaking at conferences in six countries. The audiences will be diverse: coaches, counselors, pastors, emerging leaders, and participants at a weekend retreat, among others. They represent different age groups, cultures, native languages, professions and interests. Sometimes I'll speak from the same outlines but I never give the exact same talk twice. In my experience, the most effective presentations are tailored to each audience. That applies whether we speak to big crowds, classes, or small groups. Three elements shape my work as a speaker: prayer, preparation and passion.
PRAYER gets squeezed out too often. We can put together a good talk building on our strengths, creativity and experience. But sensitive speakers sense when they really are connecting, in sync with an audience. Most often that comes when God is allowed to lead in both our preparation and delivery. Prayer is an essential ingredient of influential Christian communication.
PREPARATION. Sometimes "off the top of your head" remarks suffice, but powerful talks most often emerge from careful preparation. This involves selecting material and organizing the message but there is more. Get to know your audience. What can you learn in advance about their cultures, expectations, needs, backgrounds and ways of learning? Often I ask classes or seminar groups "what will make this a winner?" and I adapt my remarks accordingly. A talk that is well received in one setting or country probably will need to be adapted for other audiences and venues. Overlook this and you can lose your audiences quickly.
PASSION. Call this enthusiasm, fervor, or belief in your message. These words all refer to delivery that is captivating because the speaker is so committed to the message. Passion implies sincerity, not manipulation or slick persuasion techniques. Passionate presentations involve communicating with body language as well as with sentences. Simple, well crafted visual aids with uncluttered images tend to carry more weight than a screen packed with words. But even the most careful prepared talks fall on deaf ears if the communicator drones on without apparent enthusiasm. How might all of this apply to your communication?
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