Meeting in the Middle: Shaping the Story for Your Audience
Welcome back to the Body Talk Brief, where we will provide biweekly tips on the science of communication and what you can do to strengthen your communication skills.
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What does it take to prepare for a big presentation or keynote speech??
You’ve made sure your body, voice and message align. You’ve rehearsed again and again. You may have even prepared slides or cue cards. You should be good to go, right??
There is one more key piece to remember when preparing a presentation or speech: your audience.?
Knowing who your audience is impacts the language you use, the way you speak, and the role each of you play in the story that you’re telling. Here’s how:
1. Language
What if you turned on the weather forecast in the morning only to hear the presenter using words like “upper tropospheric cyclonic vortices” and “anticyclonic curvature”??
For an expert in the weather field, these words may technically be the most accurate descriptors, but for the average person, most of us just want to know whether or not to grab an umbrella on our way out the door!?
Big words may make you sound smart, but that could come at a cost if your audience doesn’t understand you.?
Be mindful of how the words that you use land with your audience. Will they enhance communication or hinder it??
2. Style
Imagine you’re sharing the same presentation with audiences at two different companies. One company has just had the best quarter in history, and the energy is high. The other company has had a slow quarter, and they’ve just been informed that redundancies are coming.?
If you try to deliver the same high-energy, lighthearted presentation to both companies, it may be extremely well-received at the first company. The second company may not receive your message at all.?
Speeches and presentations don’t exist in a bubble. Allow the context around you to affect the tone and style of your communication. Your audience will feel heard, and therefore, be better positioned to hear you.?
3. Role
One of the most important aspects of delivering a successful speech or presentation is remembering what role you play.?
If we look to traditional storytelling structures, there is almost always a hero, but if you want your message to land with your audience, you are not the hero. Your audience is the hero.?
You must act as the mentor. Identify your audience’s challenges, acknowledge what will happen if these challenges persist, and paint a picture of a brighter future. How will you help them get there??
Knowing your audience will ensure your message has the greatest impact.?
Using effective language, adjusting your style, and identifying your role will take your speech or presentation to the next level.?
Thank you for joining us for another edition of the Body Talk Brief.
Check out our ultimate guide to Advanced Presentation Skills for a more thorough introduction to what we do and tangible advice on how to apply Body Talk to your life. And as always, you can contact us here or email us at [email protected].
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