An online question asked: “What is your favorite aspect of public speaking?” There were several interesting answers, but the one that got me thinking was:
“The anticipation and the relief of finishing.”
Huh? I’m not sure how many speakers would agree with the “anticipation” of their talk being their favorite part. A lot of speakers are uncomfortable, nervous, etc., before they take the stage. On the other hand, most speakers can relate to the relief of finishing.
That got me thinking about roller coaster rides and how people will line up because they can’t wait to get on them, but look relieved when the ride is over. Maybe it’s because they know what’s going to happen between the beginning and the end.
So let’s have a little fun with this. Let’s consider a roller coaster ride from our audience’s perspective, and how we can make sure they enjoy their “ride” between the anticipation of hearing us speak and the result of having heard us speak.
Departure: This is where the fun begins. You’re on stage and feeling confident because you made sure you knew what inspired and intrigued the event planner enough to ask you to speak beforehand. With that information, you were able to adapt/build your presentation around the speaker skills and content the planner requested for their audience. Your audience knows what you’re going to talk about and they’re looking forward to it.
Ascent: The coaster is chugging up that first incline and everyone’s getting ready for what happens next. You’ve got this because you didn’t skip the middle part of what happens between the beginning and the end of your talk. Your talk is organized and focused and has 3-4 main points, each one leading to the next. You’re already engaging directly with your audience and letting them know there will be more interactive opportunities ahead.
Descent: This is one of the most compelling parts of the ride—that first drop. It’s a moment that grabs our attention no matter how old we are. In speaker terms, this is the story/metaphor that captivates your audience’s attention. It can be good, happy, or sad. It’s the evidence they need to believe that you care about this topic… and them. You can share it gently or emphatically. You can tell it all at once or use parts of it throughout your talk. Their emotions are engaged now, ready for what comes next.
The Ride: One interesting thing about roller coasters is how short they are. There must be science behind how long a specific ride should be, just like there is with your talk. You get to decide how much you’re going to share ahead of time. Don’t try to pack “more bang for the buck” into your talk. Don’t skimp on sharing your expertise or your knowledge either. Your goal is to provide people with a journey that’s just long enough to inspire them to think, do, and/or feel something by the end of your talk, while still appreciating and respecting their time.
Slowing Down: This is the last part of the ride. Everyone knows it’s basically over, but you’ve still got their attention for a bit longer. Make sure you’ve answered people’s questions, shared your takeaway, and provided your contact information. If someone asks a question you don’t know the answer to, that’s okay. No one knows all the answers… NO ONE. Let the person know you’ll work on finding the answer and then share the answer in a way that makes sense for you. You can email, text, or even share the answer in your audience follow-up email.
The Stop: And now you’re done. I hope you’ve enjoyed this short roller-coaster ride through a speaker’s time on stage. As always, if you have any questions, there’s a follow-up “ride” available with no lines and no waiting. The contact info for it (and me) is at the bottom of this newsletter.
The New Age of Leveraging Technology to Share Your Expertise
