Here's how you can confidently express your ideas and opinions at conferences.

La preparación es clave, pero es crucial adaptar tu contenido al contexto específico de tu audiencia. Una vez di una conferencia en un CONALEP, donde muchos estudiantes carecían de recursos básicos. Llevé una presentación que había funcionado en otros lugares, pero me di cuenta de que no era adecuada para ellos. Tuve que cambiar mi enfoque y explicarles primero cómo funciona el mercado laboral con ejercicios dinámicos. Aprendí que la verdadera preparación implica cuestionarse: ?Para qué es la conferencia? ?Para quién es? ?Cuál es el contexto de las personas con las que quiero conectar? ?Qué quiero ense?ar? ?Qué nivel de tecnicismo usar? ?Por qué quiero conectar con ellos??Cómo puedo empatizar con ellos?

As Eisenhower once said: "plans are nothing. Planning is everything." Doing your homework ahead of a conference is crucial. Who is attending? Who do you want to connect with? Why do you want to connect with them? In my experience, asking yourself these questions and answering them thoroughly will give you a head start vs those other conference attendees who are just there to kill time.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to get clear on why they’re bringing in a speaker. “To motivate/inspire our team,” they might say. But for you to be more effective, dig more deepest by asking, “What is the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?" Then ask clarifying questions so that you can determine an angle that would help them alleviate that challenge. When you show up to solve specific problems, not only do you inspire and motivate, you leave a lasting impact.

If you know, you succeed. In my opinion, this applies to nearly everything in life. But it's especially true when it comes to your audience. Where do they like to meet? Are they introverts and prefer to first meet you via email or during an online meeting or are they outgoing and thrive in a conference setting? Depending on the outlook of your audience you'll know where to find them, how to interact with them and how to get the most of those interactions. Know your audience and you will win their heart.

Speaking clearly entails more than just being heard; it also involves being understood. Additionally, it’s a huge bonus when your audience feels understood. One way to achieve this is by telling stories to illustrate a point or by using phrases such as, "Imagine if..." or "Think about a time when..." This will engage their thinking and insights, personalizing your message in a unique way. Invite them into the conversation by speaking to them this way.

Durante mis 7 a?os en teatro, aprendí que captar la atención y proyectar la voz son esenciales. Usa tu cuerpo para comunicar; mantén una postura abierta y realiza gestos amplios para enfatizar puntos clave. Proyecta tu voz desde el diafragma para que todos te escuchen claramente. El contacto visual es crucial para conectar y mantener el interés del público. Además, varía tu tono y ritmo para mantener la atención y darle vida a tu presentación. Estos principios teatrales son clave para una comunicación efectiva en conferencias.

Your audience will pay more attention to your body language than they will to what you are actually saying. One thing I’ve found helpful to improve my body language is to make eye contact, smile, nod my head while I'm listening to show that I follow the conversation and have a posture that communicates that I'm having a good time speaking with my counterpart. While it's true that crossing your arms is a big no, on the other hand it's important that you look natural, so if you happen to cross your arms for a few a seconds but you still look interested and involved in the conversation, it won't be the end of the world.

Engaging with respect is crucial at conferences. You don't want to come across as pushy. If you stalk other conference attendees, interrupt their conversations, don't respect their personal space, then trust me, nobody will want to speak with you. Engaging with respect and good manners will help you be remembered as a polite and pleasant acquaintance, which is exactly what you want at a conference.

En mis conferencias, he aprendido que el respeto mutuo es clave para un diálogo constructivo. Mi juventud me permite conectar de manera única con audiencias jóvenes, fomentando un ambiente donde se valoran todas las opiniones. Al expresar tus ideas, hazlo con cortesía y apertura a otros puntos de vista. Esto no solo enriquece la discusión, sino que crea un entorno inclusivo donde todos se sienten valorados, llevando a intercambios de ideas más productivos y significativos.

While meeting someone at a conference is important, follow-up is 90% of the effort. If you don't follow up you won't stay in touch. Conference attendees meet an incredible amount of people at conferences, and a business card in their hands it's just not enough. A nice, timely, meaningful follow-up is the best way to add the cherry on top to a very nice conversation that you had at a conference. Moreover, it can be the beginning of a great, long lasting relationship. So don't be shy to ask for an email address or phone number, or simply scan the QR code of your LinkedIn profile for a quick way to connect. And then follow up.

Another thing to consider is that every audience listens to WII FM—"What’s In It For Me?" Your speech is never about you. Sure, you'll tell your stories and share your wit and wisdom, but the goal isn’t to prove how smart you are. The audience wants to feel understood and to feel hopeful. They want to know that they, too, can be the hero of their own journey. Invite them into your journey, share what you’ve learned, and explain what they can do about it in their own lives.