ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "Never stand in front of an audience without knowing who they are."
Episode Synopsis
Never stand in front of an audience without knowing who they are.
Take a moment, just five minutes, to jot down everything you know about your audience. Are they industry professionals, eager learners, or seasoned veterans? Understanding their interests and reasons for attending your talk – be it a conference, a meeting, or a virtual call – is paramount.
Not a big audience? Then, personalization is key, especially with those presentations and pitches that take place in smaller and more intimate settings. You know, presentations with a gathering of fewer than twenty participants.
Learn their names and delve into their professional backgrounds. A quick visit to LinkedIn could reveal a wealth of information. Where have they worked? What experiences have they amassed? It's not just about titles; it's about the journey they've traversed within your industry.
Then, challenge yourself further. What don't you know about them? This list might be lengthier and perhaps a little daunting, too, but remember, you're not just any presenter. You do your preparation. You're a storyteller and a translator of ideas; as such, you want to make sure you're sharing ideas that will work for the people sitting in front of you.
Armed with these two lists, begin to build your presentation strategy. Transform uncertainty into clarity, the unknown into the known.
Let's assume you've been asked to speak at a conference. Make sure you're clear about what kind of conference it is. The audience of a marketing conference differs from that of an international sports or estate agent conference. Who will be in the audience? What are their aspirations, their challenges?
Your task is to answer their silent yet ever-present question: 'What's in it for me? How can you answer their "What's in it for me?" question? You'll only know how if you know who is sitting there.
To truly resonate and genuinely connect, you must understand who sits before you. It's a dialogue, a conversation, albeit sometimes silent, between you and them.
Take a moment, just five minutes, to jot down everything you know about your audience. Are they industry professionals, eager learners, or seasoned veterans? Understanding their interests and reasons for attending your talk – be it a conference, a meeting, or a virtual call – is paramount.
Not a big audience? Then, personalization is key, especially with those presentations and pitches that take place in smaller and more intimate settings. You know, presentations with a gathering of fewer than twenty participants.
Learn their names and delve into their professional backgrounds. A quick visit to LinkedIn could reveal a wealth of information. Where have they worked? What experiences have they amassed? It's not just about titles; it's about the journey they've traversed within your industry.
Then, challenge yourself further. What don't you know about them? This list might be lengthier and perhaps a little daunting, too, but remember, you're not just any presenter. You do your preparation. You're a storyteller and a translator of ideas; as such, you want to make sure you're sharing ideas that will work for the people sitting in front of you.
Armed with these two lists, begin to build your presentation strategy. Transform uncertainty into clarity, the unknown into the known.
Let's assume you've been asked to speak at a conference. Make sure you're clear about what kind of conference it is. The audience of a marketing conference differs from that of an international sports or estate agent conference. Who will be in the audience? What are their aspirations, their challenges?
Your task is to answer their silent yet ever-present question: 'What's in it for me? How can you answer their "What's in it for me?" question? You'll only know how if you know who is sitting there.
To truly resonate and genuinely connect, you must understand who sits before you. It's a dialogue, a conversation, albeit sometimes silent, between you and them.
More episodes of the podcast Speakery Notes
Raw talent will only get you so far
04/01/2024
An audience is an audience
02/01/2024
In God we trust