How to Move Your Audience to Action

Many erroneously believe they are not outspoken, that they have stage fright, that they are shy or are not the talking type and hence have jeopardized their opportunity to address or convince their target audience. Here are a few typical steps to allay that fear and change that story.

Identify with the audience

It’s almost impossible to effectively communicate to an audience you do not identify with. It’s highly advisable to use the pronoun ‘we’ rather than ‘you’. Also, avoid the me, myself and I attitude as this isolates you from your audience.

Be sincere and convinced

People can see through the façade of formality and determine your true intent. So, it is highly important to know exactly what you are talking about, to believe it and show that you are personally convinced and sold out to the issue or topic in question. People will not listen or respond if they doubt your conviction or sincerity.

Be enthusiastic and active

While delivering your speech, your level of enthusiasm must be infectious. Be firm and loud enough for your voice to always keep the attention of your audience.

Emphasize and repeat your most cogent facts.

Every speech has a central point, recognize yours and lay an appreciable amount of emphasis on it. It’s also important to assume some members of the audience missed out on the facts at first, go over them as repetition intensifies memory and initiates action.

Mind your tone

Usually, your conviction and level of commitment might tempt you to push your audience too far. Don’t fall for this trap , it may ruin your speech. Be as gentle and as firm as possible. Never employ an offensive or insinuating undertone.

Be humorous

This will do you a lot of good as people generally listen and respond to those that will appeal to their emotion, make them feel good and make them laugh. Make your audience laugh, but ensure you do not flatter them and that your jokes are not out of place. Remember ‘no joke is better than bad joke’.

Take questions

This makes your speech interactive, enables you to intensify salient points, allows you to clear the air on confusing issues an d very importantly gives your audience a sense of involvement and participation. If you answer well enough, they will be convinced.

Now you are good to go, if you apply these steps in your next speech, you will definitely receive an ovation.