Connecting Before You Speak

present with people Jul 15, 2024

OUT OF THE GREEN ROOM

I was in the green room before an event I was speaking at. While I was mingling with and learning from other speakers, the moment I had been waiting for happened. A speaker whom I admired walked in and immediately had the entire room’s attention.

They made a joke about how they were glad to be in a safe space where they didn’t have to answer any more questions from the attendees. Everyone laughed.

However, something didn’t sit right with me. Having a routine and downtime is helpful to be at your best, but we’re there for the attendees.

That’s the day I learned that connecting is king, and I got out of the green room.

As a speaker, the success of your speaking engagement hinges not only on your preparation, pre-calls, presentation organization, content and delivery, but also on how well you connect with your audience and the event team before and after you’re on the stage.

THREE STEPS TO SPEAKING SUCCESS

Over the years, I’ve developed three strategic steps that I take at every speaking event to help make sure it’s a success:

Connect with the Event Planner and the Tech Team.

It’s crucial to establish a connection with the event planner and the tech team when you get to the event. These individuals are the backbone of the event and their support can significantly influence the smoothness of your presentation.

Upon arriving at the venue, I make it a point to introduce myself to the event planner. I thank them for organizing the event and express my excitement about participating. Building rapport with the planner can open up a channel of communication, making it easier to address any last-minute changes or issues that might arise.

Next, I connect with the tech team. They are responsible for the sound, lighting and my slides for the presentation. I go over everything with them, which helps fuel my success even further. I also ask if I can do a quick run-through to make sure everything is working correctly. This step not only prevents technical glitches but also shows the tech team that you value their role in your success.

Connect with the Audience Before Speaking

Connecting with the audience before you speak is a game-changer. It transforms your presentation from a monologue into a conversation. I make it a priority to arrive early and mingle with attendees. This helps to ease any pre-speech nerves and allows me to gather valuable insights about my audience.

I introduce myself, learn names, hear stories and ask questions. By doing this, I get a sense of the audience’s interests and concerns. This information is invaluable as it allows me to tailor my presentation to address their specific needs and interests. It also humanizes me in their eyes, making them more receptive to my message.

Connect with the Empty Room

This might sound unusual, but connecting with the empty room before the event is a powerful step. When the room is empty, I take the opportunity to familiarize myself with the space. I walk around the stage, check sightlines and get a feel for the acoustics.

This step is about more than just physical preparation; it’s also about mental preparation. Standing in the empty room allows me to visualize the audience and rehearse my opening lines. I can practice projecting my voice to the back of the room and ensure that my gestures and movements will be visible to everyone.

This rehearsal helps to build my confidence and reduces the likelihood of surprises. When the room fills up, I already feel a sense of ownership over the space, which translates into a more commanding presence on stage.

Connecting Before You Speak

OUT OF THE GREEN ROOM

THREE STEPS TO SPEAKING SUCCESS

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