Public Speaking Course:

Rapport

This next statement will surprise you, especially coming from me. Even if you have taken my public speaking course you can still be a lousy presenter but be great on the stage. That is, we are now talking about certain criteria, which are well described in the dissertation discussion chapter, and which we recommend you to read. By lousy, I mean that you do everything wrong technically. You dress terrible. Your grammar and speech are laughable and you might have dandruff.

Don't think for a moment that I'm trying to promote this type of presenter. In fact, I sell videos teaching you how to avoid being this kind of presenter. But I want you to see the bigger picture. If you give really great information that is targeted to the needs of your audience, and you do the things that build up rapport, but fall short technically you can still have an effective speaking technique.

Remember, I am not giving you an excuse to forget about becoming technically better as a presenter. I am just saying that if your information is lousy it does not make much difference how smooth you are with what you say. Yes, there are some presenters that slide by because they are entertaining, but giving your audience what they need is the most important thing.

When planning your speech think about giving the audience immediately usable information. Yes, they may need a long term plan, but if you give people something usable and an action plan that they can get excited about you will have done half your job already.

Half my job? ... Yes, the other half is to build rapport with the attendees. This does not necessarily mean that they like you. This means you have done what is necessary to make sure they trust in what you have to say and they feel you care about them; showing them you care is an important part of what you will learn in your public speaking course.

Rapport

I told you above that it was OK to stink up the stage by being a lousy presenter. Again, I must remind you that I am not encouraging this. I want you to get better technically, so that your message has a better chance of getting through. The big picture is that you must build rapport with an audience for them to get your message.

My definition of rapport is when the audience trusts you and feel that you care about them. Here are some ways you can build that trust and caring atmosphere:

Trust
Know what you are talking about and admit it when you don't. BS will not cut it with the sophisticated audiences of today.

Have some credentials. Do something, write something, record something, help someone. i.e., do something more than just talking.

Do everything you say you are going to do before the program, and do it in a helpful and timely manner.

The meeting organizer in most cases will tell the group, or let it be known that you walk your talk. Even if he or she does not, you will feel great about the way you handle things and it will show.

Phone interview a cross section of audience members prior to your presentation. I cannot tell you how great this has worked for me over the years. People cannot wait to meet you and they tell others about the call. This really screams, 'I care about you!'

Make yourself accessible. As long as you are good on the platform, meeting planners love it when you come early and stay late ...
NOTE: If you bomb get out quick hahahaha

Offer free follow up for the audience members via email or fax. If you are too busy to actually answer personally, have an assistant follow up. Do not brush this suggestion off too lightly. This is one of the main methods to deeply penetrate an organization. The people that do follow up for you are 'angels' in the company. They will tell you of other events or problems where you might be able to help.

So, you can be 'lousy' if you want to, but make sure the audience trusts you and build rapport and you will have a much better chance that your message gets through.

As I teach in my public speaking course, what you say is half your job, connecting with the audience is the other half.