In last week’s post we talked about the danger of artificially choreographed presentation technique. Your audience hopes to connect to and learn from the real you. You hope you’ll convert them to your big idea when you’re on stage. What we’re after is natural emphasis.
What does everyone sitting in an auditorium long for (and so rarely receive) in a keynote address? A provocative idea, a great new tool, a penetrating insight that could change their business, their careers, their lives. The gift of a great idea!
When you’re on stage, help your audience recognize and absorb what matters most – your essential big idea. Throw your tired, distracted audience a bone! Help them understand that this is the most important three minutes of your presentation. Show them it’s time to put down the phone and pay attention!
You do this by creating a captivating crescendo. Your narrative arc leads to an apex. If you’ve created a great presentation with a strong arc, audience feels the forthcoming apex instinctually. When you get to your apex you pause. You look at your audience. The tone of your voice changes – sometimes it’s an increase in volume, sometimes it’s a quiet intensity. That depends on you and your content. You ground your body and focus on the room (you look at them, you walk toward them, you gesture toward them, whatever’s natural for you). Your passion for your idea comes through loud and clear. And then, they are ready to hear your big idea. Bam! Lay it on them!
Remember, when you’re giving a keynote, your voice (part of your body) is talking to their ears (part of their body). Your voice and energy level signals to their subconscious minds. A shift in your voice and energy level is a subconscious drum roll that tells your audience when to focus. You are talking human to human, because you love your idea and care about your audience. You are giving the audience the gift of your big idea. You are giving them the gift of guiding them toward exactly which part of your presentation matters most! That is what great communicators do!
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
