Every Conversation Counts The Secret to Every Great Presentation

Riaz Meghji

In 2020, I interviewed countless coaches, leaders, introverts, and experts about their biggest pain points with speaking and presenting, especially in a virtual world.

Some have said it’s forgetting their words and then trying to bounce back from stumbling. Others said they battle the fear of judgment. But hands down, the number one answer has been . . . what if my audience tunes me out?

They’re afraid of looking foolish, losing credibility, and having their message completely lost. In fact, one of my conversations with an expert who has coached many leaders on speaking, revealed an important fact: Perception matters, but connection matters more.

What’s the secret to success for connecting with your audience?

Whether you’re presenting virtually or in person, if you want your audience to care about you and your message, find ways to care about them first.

How can you do that effectively and authentically? When someone asks you to speak, instead of just relying on the event organizer to answer all your questions, reach out to at least five people who will be attending your talk and understand their fears, their frustrations, and their desires. Remember, it’s a dialogue, not a monologue.

Eliminate the guessing game about whether your content is good enough; ask more people the important questions and show that you care about them first.

If you’re speaking, find out beforehand where your audience is at—and where they want to go. Identify that gap, understand their needs, and then provide the solutions that show you care about them.

If you want to avoid looking robotic when you present, record yourself in two ways— • one, with your natural delivery, and • two, with exaggerated expressions and body language in your delivery.

Then study both videos to determine what feels authentic and what will deliver the most engaging experience for your future audience.

According to the National Highway Institute, adults retain approximately 10 per cent of what they see, 30 to 40 per cent of what they see and hear, and 90 per cent of what they see, hear, and do.

Let’s be real. How much do you even remember from the stats I just shared with you?

Avoid the trap of too much information. Forget about the data dump and bring your heart into the presentation.

You want to make your audience feel something. Instead of bombarding them with information, share powerful stories. Engage them with thoughtful questions. Get them interacting with one another. Have them report back and make it an active experience.

If you want them to do something with the message you’re sharing, the bottom line is that the audience needs to be involved, especially in virtual presentations.

Remember, it’s a dialogue, not a monologue.

Put in the work. Instead of reading your script or reading your slides, share your message without using your notes and focus on making a real connection with the people that are watching and listening to you.

People want to feel seen. They want to feel heard. They want to feel valued. If you care about them first and do this important work, you will set yourself up for success, and be rewarded with an audience that not only gives you their attention, but also does something with your message.

What can you do to make the audience your priority? s Riaz Meghji is the founder of “The Magnetic Messenger” presentation program and author of “Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection that Build Extraordinary Relationships.”