Creating Audience Connection

/ Bespoke Leaders/

Master presenters and communicators frequently display what seems like an innate ability to connect with their audience, regardless of the presentation topic or the audience size. Truly great presenters know how to build bridges between their point of view and the emotions, feeling and thinking of their audience. 

This deeper level of connection can help a presenter to develop stronger levels of trust with their audience, or as Aristotle put it, greater levels of Ethos. As a Bespoke Presenter, we want to learn how we can build great rapport and connection with our audience when we present.

This short video briefly explains how we can build greater bridges with our audience.

The 3 powerful approaches that you can utilise to enhance connection with your audiences the next time you present:

  • Inclusive language - The power of utilising words like ‘We’ & ‘Us’ is critical for any presenter looking to build a connection and link with their audience. Contrast this with a speaker who talks exclusively in ‘I’ statements. Consider how you can use the words ‘We’ or ‘Us’ in you presentation (especially at the beginning) to build meaningful bridges with your audience.

  • Truisms - The power of utilising objective facts that are common for everyone (presenter and audience) in the room to build connection. What are some of facts that are true for everyone in your audience and how can you highlight these to build connection?

  • Universals - The power of utilising the shared beliefs that everyone in the room (presenter and audience) has. A belief is subjective, so consider this carefully ensuring that what you say will not offside anyone. Used effectively Universals are extremely powerful as they highlight shared commonality and consenting beliefs.

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*Note - Research shows that Universals and Truisms are even more powerful when used as a combination or collection of 3 statements. This number creates greater levels of processing fluency. For example, “We all know that technology is evolving at a rapid pace, we know that technology is impacting on the way we live and we also know that changes in technology will continue to keep evolving.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you look to build purposeful connection with your audience when you present? What shared beliefs or objective facts could you leverage in your next presentation? Who is a master at building audience connection in your mind?

For more information on the BESPOKE PRESENTING development program or to have an informal discussion regarding your development goals, please contact: philip@bespokeleaders.com