The Best Way to Connect with Your Audience: Give Them SPACE

The best way to connect with your audience give them SPACE

In our training workshops, participants often express a desire to emulate presenters they admire. Our response is clear: you don’t need to mimic others to become a great presenter. The most impactful speakers are those who embrace their individuality, avoiding templates or prescribed formulas.

Those we regard as ‘great’ speakers share one key trait: an undeniable ability to connect with their audiences. At Mindful Presenter, we live by the motto: “Connecting is everything.”

The best way to forge this connection is through giving your audience SPACE:

Strength

Passion

Awareness

Connecting

Emotion

This doesn’t mean you have to change who you are or adhere to a rigid blueprint. Instead, it encourages you to reflect these qualities in a speaking style that feels authentic to you.

STRENGTH

Strength is the foundation of any compelling presentation. It encompasses the strength of your content, message, belief, and impact. To present effectively, you must convey your message with confidence and conviction. Remember, you don’t need to be an extrovert to speak with strength; you simply need to believe in the significance of your message.

As Stephanie Scotti aptly notes, “If you don’t believe in your message, neither will your listeners.” Genuine belief in your content reduces anxiety and allows for meaningful connections.

PASSION 

Passion is arguably the most vital element of memorable presentations. When you present with passion, your audience pays attention. This emotion is not a mere technique; it reflects your intent and drive. Your enthusiasm is contagious, enabling even the most mundane topics to resonate deeply.

Dr. Nick Morgan suggests, “We don’t fully trust people until we’ve seen them get emotional.” Your intention, coupled with authentic passion, can transform your presentation.

AWARENESS

Awareness marks the beginning of every presenter’s journey. It involves understanding your audience—who they are, what they need, and how your message can make a difference in their lives. Nurturing this skill will enhance your effectiveness as a speaker. Dr. Dan Siegel’s “Wheel of Awareness” offers valuable insights for developing personal awareness.

CONNECTING

“Connecting is everything.” Presentations allow for deep connections that can transform the audience’s experience. Sharing personal stories fosters a sense of vulnerability and relatability, making it easier for the audience to engage with you.

I like the way that Earnest Sherrill puts it: “Stories are more than just entertainment; they are the glue that holds societies together, the foundation of cultural identity, and a tool for transformation.”

EMOTION

Emotion is the most profound aspect of engagement. Maya Angelou famously said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Be intentional about the emotions you want to evoke from your audience. By incorporating simple techniques like smiling and making eye contact, you can create memorable experiences.

In a previous article I wrote called, ‘The 5 Most Important Words in Business Presenting’, I shared our passionate belief that those 5 words are:

Please Make Me Feel Something

At Mindful Presenter, we believe the key to giving your audience SPACE lies in crafting presentations that genuinely resonate with them.

If you have powerful strategies for connecting with audiences, feel free to share in the comments.

If you need to connect more effectively with your audience:

– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.

– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.

– Get yourself some excellent presentation training

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