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Fred Miller

When in the Audience, PLEASE . . .

Follow these Suggestions:

Often, we speakers attend presentations, not to speak, but to learn. We are there to gain knowledge about the presenters topic.

We also learn by observing other speakers practicing their craft. What do they do well we might want to incorporate into our presentations? What mistakes are they making we don’t want to replicate?

The following “Audience Suggestions” should be observed by All Attendees.

Arrival

  1. Be at the venue well ahead of time.

  2. Know where the building is located.

  3. Allow time for parking, finding the presentation area, restroom, etc.

  4. Another reason to arrive early is there is often a registration desk where guest sign in, get name badges, and seating assignments.

  5. Find your seat, sit down, and meet and greet people around you.

  6. Arriving late is disruptive to the speaker and audience.

  7. Consider meeting the speaker before the event.

  8. Some presenters, including me, make it a point to meet and greet people as they arrive.

  9. Meeting the speaker beforehand helps them perform better and increases your take-away.

Sit so your Entire Body faces the Speaker.

  1. A good presenter is always ‘taking the temperature’ of the audience to see how their message is being received.

  2. Don’t sit with arms crossed.

  3. That gesture sends a negative, non-verbal message to the speaker.

  4. It closes you off to new ideas they are presenting.

Be an Active Listener.

  1. Lean your body towards the speaker and listen intently.

  2. Make eye contact with the presenter.

  3. When you agree with the speaker, nodding your head in agreement sends positive feedback to them.

  4. If you’re confused by something they say, let that expression show. The speaker might catch that non-verbal communication and restate his thoughts to clear up any misunderstanding.

If you have a Question to Ask.

  1. Wait till the proper time.

  2. In their opening the speaker should tell when and how questions will be handled.

  3. Don’t interrupt by waving your hand.

  4. When asking, be polite even if you disagree with the speaker.

  5. This is not the time to start a debate!

  6. Ask your question clearly and distinctly remembering less is more!

DON’T

Talk to others, text, eat, drink, or do anything that could be distracting to the audience or speaker.

When the Speaker Closes their Presentation – APPLAUD!

They put time, thought, and effort into their speech. Whether you agreed or disagreed; liked it or not, that should be respected and acknowledged.

If time permits, stick around and thank the speaker.

Shake their hand mentioning specific things gained from the presentation.

Better Audience = Better Speaker

Following these “Audience Suggestions” will insure you, and other attendees will receive the Best Presentation the Speaker can Deliver!

For Your next presentation, consider sending a link to this Post to the Event Planner! Do that and you’ll enjoy the next presentation with – NO SWEAT!

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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills.

They do this because they know: Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

They also know: We perceive really great speakers to be Experts, and we like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with – NO SWEAT!

Services:

  1. Keynote Speaker

  2. Workshop Facilitator

  3. Breakout Sessions

  4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

Topics:

  1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

  2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

  3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

  4. We are All Self-Employed!

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