How to Get To Know Your Business Presentation Audience

Those of you who know me know that one of the things I love to do is speak at events and I was speaking recently to a group of budding entrepreneurs about the importance of developing the mindset for success. We had lots of fun, it was very well received and I had a great time sharing some of the tools I use with my 1-2-1 clients. Most in the audience hadn’t met me before  but there were a few people who had heard me present previously. As we were chatting over a cup of tea afterwards one of them, Susie, said  “I’ve heard you speak a few times now and every time you just seem to have the knack of connecting with the audience, whoever they are and it’s always fun. I wish I could do that but I don’t seem to have what it takes.”

As I said to Susie, the thing is I do believe that everyone has what it takes …. if they want to learn how because it is all about learning the skills and practising the techniques until you can. I’ve been learning them and practising them now for almost 30 years and I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way. I’ve learned what to do, as well as what not to do, and as you know Winning Business Presentations is about sharing that.  If you want to be really good at presenting then it’s like everything else – you have to make the commitment to make the time to get good.

but unfortunately many people in business don’t make the time  and it shows.

So where to begin?

It all starts before the business presentation itself…. whatever the situation – whether that’s a formal pitch for a contract,  a meeting with a client  or at a networking event  – you need to make time to get to know about your audience. So how do you do that? 

Considering the  following 10 questions will help you to find out about your business presentation audience and help you to really tailor your presentation to your listeners.

1. How many people will be in the audience?

2. What businesses are they in or what is their role?

3. What’s important to them as a group?

4. What do we have in common?

5. What’s special about this group?

6. What do they already know about the topic I’m speaking about?

7. What are their business challenges that I can help them with?

8. Do they have to attend or have they volunteered?

9. What is their level of education?

10. What will inspire them to take action?

because the best presentations are all about connecting and engaging with the audience and that just takes practice.

Until next time,

with best wishes for your success,

Cath 🙂