Are You Engaging?

Have you ever struggled through a proposal or presentation? Maybe even in an important conversation that you really needed to get a point across to the person(s) involved? As a public speaker, I am confronted with that reality every week. How do I engage the audience and help them really "get" the point?I thought I'd share a couple things that I've learned along the way.

1. Being unprepared is inexcusable.  -If people are gathering to hear you share ideas then you should at least have one.
2. The more diverse the crowd is...more prep is required.  -In other words... know the crowd and speak in way they will understand

I have found that there are two ways to really bring people to the place that they are invested in the message and you capture their attention.

1. Make 'em laugh - I think this is best when telling personal stories. Be careful when using stories about other people. That can be perceived as insensitive and give you the exact opposite of the desired result.
2. Make 'em cry - move them...these include encouraging stories, sad stories, love stories and really any one that leads to the point you are talking about.  ... But please!!! Make sure the story is true! Do your research.

Last thing... Always be learning. I don't care how long you've been doing it or how good people say you are.  Great communicators learn from great communicators.  Dr. Nick Morgan is a great resource and so is Tim Sanders.  So get out there and communicate! The world needs you! You have something to say so get ready to say it! And then say it LOUD!

What are some effective ways you use to engage people?