This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- The secrets to keeping your audiences hooked
-
How to become a trusted leader
- How you tell a deeply personal story
Never Lose an Audience Again: 10 Proven Engagement Tactics
Ever felt like you're speaking into a void?
Like your brilliant ideas are just bouncing off the walls of a silent room?
I've been there. On one occasion years ago, half the room was staring at their phones, completely ignoring me.
Nothing special about that. But it motivated me to research the best ways to re-engage an audience.
The truth is, in today's world, attention is a precious commodity.
It's not handed to you; it's earned.
And frankly, it's earned every two minutes.
Yes, you read that right. Research shows that every 120 seconds, you've got to re-engage your audience, or they're gone.
It's a tough reality, but it's one we can master.
It starts with a mindset shift: Don’t assume attention. Assume apathy.
Here’s how to shift the audience from apathy to attention every 2 minutes:
1 – Ask unanswered questions
“Why now?”, “What explains this development?” – Curiosity is a powerful tool. Leave them hanging, wanting more.
2 – Use polls & interaction
Get them involved. Participation sparks dopamine, and engaged minds are retained minds.
3 – Make your energy infectious
Your enthusiasm is contagious. Let it spread.
4 – Visual effects matter
A picture of a grumpy cat gets you more attention than a chart about public sentiment.
5 – Tell stories
We are story-beings and can’t help listening to a captivating story.
6 – Pause for 3 seconds
Silence is golden. Let your words sink in. 1, 2, 3 seconds. It will feel like a long time, but I promise you, everyone will look up from their phones.
7 – Leverage surprise elements
Our brains are highly reactive to surprises and novelty. Strategically break with the standard way of presenting in your organization from time to time.
8 – Move strategically
Don’t be a statue. Move towards your audience. They can't help but look at you.
9 – Incorporate sound effects or music
Start with your favorite song. Or use audio effects to punctuate your message. The more senses your presentation appeals to, the better.
10 – Use vocal variety in your speech
No one likes a monotonous monologue. Vary your tone, pace, and volume.
Engagement isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It's about understanding your audience and adapting. It's about being human, being real, and being present.
(If you want to work with me on taking your presentation skills to the next level, take a look at the Speak Like a CEO Academy here)
PODCAST
How to Become a Trusted Leader
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator.
No success without trust. But how do you build trust when trust in leadership is at an all-time low?
To find out, I speak to Natalie Doyle Oldfield, a globally recognized expert on trust and author of Trusted: The Proven Path to Customer Loyalty and Business Growth.
Here are 3 takeaways that really resonated with me:
- People decide whether to trust you based on gut feeling and perception of your presence. So, leaders must build trust BEFORE they need it.
- Transparency builds trust quickly: The more you share, the more others will share. Openness is a powerful trust-building tool.
- Trust and AI: In an age of AI, the human element is more critical than ever. Emphasize authenticity and connection to build trust.
Listen to the full episode to learn how to build and maintain trust in your leadership:
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
How to Tell a Deeply Personal Story
“You are a multitude of stories."
That's the opening line of How to Tell a Story by The Moth, and it resonated deeply with me.
The Moth is a global storytelling phenomenon.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of storytelling, where people share true, personal stories live and without notes.
In this book, The Moth team reveals the secrets of memorable personal storytelling, emphasizing that everyone has stories worth telling.
Key insights from the book:
- Your story is enough: You don’t need to be a professional writer. Your experiences are valuable.
- Mine your memories: Your best stories are often hidden in your past experiences.
- Explore story structures: Learn how to build a narrative that captivates your audience. Leave out what’s not essential to your story.
- Deliver with confidence: Memorize your first and last sentences, but not the rest to ensure you connect with your audience and avoid blanking when you can’t remember your exact words.
It’s a must-read for anyone wanting to tell better personal stories.
On that note, have an inspired weekend!
Oliver
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