Should I interact with my audience at the beginning by saying “good morning” and then saying “I can’t hear you” to get them to try again with more energy and enthusiasm?
The following comes from TJ Walker’s upcoming book “The Wisdom of Your Audience”. Consistently, the worst advice speakers and presenters get, comes from everyone who is NOT your audience. The following gives examples of some of the WORST advice people are often given. It is followed by the advice of your audience. Listen to them. They are your true judge and jury.
Should I interact with my audience at the beginning by saying “good morning” and then saying “I can’t hear you” to get them to try again with more energy and enthusiasm?
Your Speech Coach: “Yes, this will be a lively way to show you’re unscripted.”
You: “Yes, I’ll certainly look friendly and “interactive’ if I engage my audience right off the bat.”
***
Your Audience: “Gag us with a spoon. We hate this sort of manipulative cliché. Thanks for making us feel like we are back in second grade. I case you have forgotten, you have been assigned the task of presenting and we have been assigned the task of listening. So don’t treat us like we are trained dogs that bark on command!”