I heard this phrase this week and it made me think “If you make a connection to your audience you are no longer alone.”

I chatted to people at work and I realised that if you have your audience with you it becomes a “conversation” rather than a speech. I think that making a personal connection is the best way to reduce anxiety.

I came up with these bullet points that may help with that “conversation”:

· Ask a direct question – when you ask one (or all) you have a response – you are no longer alone.

· Ask a hypothetical question – What do you imagine would happen if…..
Would you agree that if we ….I have often wondered if…

· Make a surprising statement – give a startling fact
Research indicates that… Didi you know that…..

· Bring in experiences you have shared with your audience (if possible)
Do you remember when we …..Going back to ….I expect you recall
that…

· Announce some interesting news/information (do your homework!)

· Create possibilities for the audience to make gestures or actions
Ask for a show of hands…..get people to close their eyes and imagine…
Ask a couple of people to come up and share their ideas (if appropriate)

· Relate an anecdote

· Use props for a demonstration

Above all enjoy the experience and your audience will too!

Jackie Arnold