Public Speaking - Create an Engaging Presentation

Your presentation itself should be structured to answer the primary question every audience member will ask. Audiences want to know “What’s in it for me?” If you are speaking about an increase in public school funding to an audience with no children of their own, you need to show them why they should care about this issue. If you are trying to convince your supervisor to hire additional technical support staff for your company, explain how this expense will benefit him by improving employee productivity.

Keeping audiences engaged requires a creative approach to public speaking. Experienced speakers give their audiences a place in their presentations by adding interactive elements. They ask questions and allow opportunities for comments. They address key members of the audience by name, reference events that are important to the audience, or acknowledge specific experiences that are common to the group. When appropriate to the topic, they include icebreakers or group activities.

If you are using humor as part of your presentation, the last thing you want to do is inadvertently offend your audience. When used effectively, humor can increase the retention of vital information, enliven otherwise bland topics, and create a connection between the audience and the speaker. However, the inappropriate use of humor can cause any presentation to fall flat. If your jokes are greeted with dead silence, consider that your humor may not be appropriate for this particular environment. You may be using humor that is targeted toward men or young adults, instead of comedy that can be appreciated by a more diverse audience.
Creating Effective Visual Aids for Public Speaking