Getting
the public's attention
The speaker
should try and bring the speech closer to the audience, breaking distance.
He should
try and win over the audience, even if they agree or disagree with
the speaker's thesis.
This
will help capture the audience's attention and predispose favourably
towards the speaker's points of view.
You will
win over the public with kindness and charm.
Greeting
the audience as soon as you get on the stage, looking at them, thanking
them sincerely for their attendance.
Thanking
the presence of somebody or group that has travelled from far.
Giving
off a friendly image (in the expression, voice).
Looking
at the audience (this allows you to strengthen the communication).
Tell
anecdotes which will help you to get closer to the audience (about
people that the audience know, things that happened in a certain
place, etc).
Introduce
fine touches of humour (it will help you to get closer to the public)
they can be used in all types of speeches even if serious (as they
help to take away the drama).
If
there is a break take advantage of it to mingle with the audience.
At
the end of the speech thank everyone again for paying attention.
Also you
can win over the audience by getting them to participate, this avoid
making the speech a complete monologue.
Proposing
questions or giving them the possibility to ask questions.
The speaker
should be permanently aware of the public's reaction, trying to immediatly
detect any sign of attention loss (looking at their watches, reading
a paper, speaking to the person next to them, etc).
The longer
you loose the public's attention the more difficult it will be to
re-capture it (the audience will find it very difficult to gain
interest although they might want to) therefore you need to react
immediately.
Changind
the tone of your voice, emphasizing, telling an anecdote, showing
a slide, asking a question or even having a break (if the speech
is going to be long).
