Engage your audience. - Paul M Johnstone

When you go Business to Business Networking, you usually have an opportunity to speak to the group.  You know the public speaking part, known as networking.

One of the key tools in your Business to Business Networking tool bag is how you engage and connect with your audience.

Remember to use your voice and keep it at a good level for people further away from you, there’s nothing more annoying that not being able to hear a presenter speak.

Give good eye contact – The key here is to deliver one thought to one person then move to someone different. Use props can help because it gives your hands something to hold on to if you get nervous.

Your 60 seconds is over in a flash, but for some people it feels like forever.  The best advice I can give you is take your time, …breath, and talk at a steady pace.  You will find information on speed in speaking on this blog page http://bit.ly/vHyoUh

And think about how you like a speaker to deliver information to you.  Probably best when it is done at a steady pace, with lots of time for your brain to process all that new information.

Wrapping it up.

Now the points mentioned above are a generalisation of my experiences, which have been good over the years, the more you present the better you will become – after all repetition is the mother of all skill.

Practice aloud your 60 seconds so you get the feel of your words.  I’ve seen and heard so may 60 seconds that have obviously been read internally. And surprise, surprise when its said aloud, it does not work the way the presenter intended it to.

Feedback

I like it when people give me constructive feedback after a presentation, generally it helps you to get a firm understanding of what worked and what didn’t, and this will help you to sharpen your proverbial presentation saw, so that next time your presentation is even better.

You can always ask fro feedback when you stand to deliver your 60 seconds, you will always get someone coming up with what you had missed.

And while we are on Feedback, I thought I would share with you a fantastic book I am reading.  The DNA of success by Chris Norton, is full of fascinating stories gleaned from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information. 

Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me.  Here is the linkhttp://bit.ly/tlfMbw I hope you enjoy it.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Mentor and PowerPoint Guru! He works with companies, charities and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills and deliver successful presentations. 

Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk