As you’re preparing your speech or presentation you need to do two things.
First, imagine your audience. Who are they? What do they like? Where do they come from? Why do you think they’re coming to hear you?
Second, find the answer to the one question every one in the audience will want answered: What’s in it for me? What am I going to get out of this?
People are giving you their precious time. You had better have something to give them in return.
Let them know what it is as early as possible in your presentation.
Even if you think the benefit to the audience should be clear, it’s still a good idea to actually spell it out.
Every word you speak should have your audience in mind. The speech or presentation is not all about you. It’s all about them.
So always keep a mental picture of your audience in your mind. Focus on them. Connect to them and you’ll always be successful.
