What can I say, but "yes" the old
saying, "You get only one chance to make that first impression" is very true,
from the very first moment you appear before your class, and start your speech or
presentation . . . on the average you have between one or two minutes at most to set the
tone of your presentation, some say you have even less than that to capture the attention
span, and apply the motivator?
More than once you and I have sat through a meeting or training session, were the
presenters, were just really plain dull and boring. We obviously had a hard time of just
staying awake during the session, let alone try and pay attention what was being said.
What those presenters failed to do, was set the tone and motivate us enough to stays
awake to listen, lets us take a quick glance at some of the reason that can happen.
Unknowingly, the first thing many speakers or trainers do right off the bat wrong is their
tone of voice. Yes the voice tone. It is a proven fact, along with the quickest way known
to make your audience unmotivated, dropping off like files is to use a semi-monotone voice
in the same pitch and speed. Next best way is retreat and hiding behind the podium or
overhead projector, never once looking up while reading or speaking using the same
monotone voice. Only to glance up occasional as to check if anyone is still in the room
with them listening.
What are they really saying to everyone listening to them is " I am not interested in
you, I just want to get this over with and I 'am out of here." If you were the
listener, what's your response, if you are like me, it would be, "Hurry up and get
this over with I want to get out of here too." or "why should I pay much
attention to what they are saying."
Finally, another gray area of motivation, is assuming everyone listening understands
everything you're presenting or talking about, if they did, why would they be there
listening to you tell them what they already know in the first place?
Keeping your audience motivated, listening, and interacting with you requires work on your
part. Here are a few suggestions that may help you.
- Change your voice pitch and speed
- Use gestures (the art of using your hands)
- Tell a joke (be careful keep them clean and
mundane)
- Move away from the podium whenever possible
- Interact with your audience, ask a question
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