Audience's
reaction
During
the speech the speaker should be looking at how the audience reacts
(with interest, are they bored, with affection, with approval, with
rejection, etc).
The worst
thing that can happen is that you don't manage to capture their
attention (it is even worse if the audience shows that they disagree
with the opinion that is being presented).
If
the public doesn't show any interest, you can not communicate with
them.
You need
to capture the audience's attention from the beginning of the speech.
If you don't capture their attention then, it will be difficult to
get it later on.
Therefore,
you need to make a great effort: greet in a nice way, prepare a
suggestive introduction, play with your voice, use gestures, looks,
anecdotes, etc.
At the
first sign that the public is loosing their attention you need to
react as soon as you can.
If the
audience disconnects for good it is going to be very difficult to
get them back (although you want to, it is difficult to capture
the thread of the argument).
It is more
difficult to win over the audience that is sitting further away, therefore
it is convenient, if possible, to move between the audience, bringing
you closer to the audience.
Extending
the speech can loose you your public's attention.
It is
important to be brief.
This
doesn't mean that the speech has to be necessarily short; it should
last what it has to last, but it shouldn't go over too much.
Sometimes
the audience will be against the theory of the speech.
When
the speaker prepares the speech he should predict a possible reaction
(normally one knows when his ideas can be problematic) and in the
likely case that there is disagreement he can try and know the reasons.
This
allows the speaker to take with him the answers to possible criticisms.
If the
audience's reaction has been totally unplanned for and the speaker
ignores their reasons, the best thing to do is ask them directly why
they are rejecting your argument.
You need
to give the public the opportunity to express their thoughts on
the matter; listen to these carefully, then comment on how it is
a respectaable reasoning, although different from your point of
view.
What
you shouldn't do is accept any type of criticism, as this will weaken
your position (you will loose authority).
You
shouldn't get entrenched in peoples points of view either by heavily
criticising the public's arguments and starting an argument which
infuriates everyone.
A
public event is not the ideal place for a heated debate. Often paying
the public attention is enough to win their sympathy and respect,
although they disagree with the arguments put forward.
Anyway,
the speaker should not confuse the contrary reaction of one person
with the general contrary opinion.
When the
speech comes to an end the audience usually claps. The speeker will
sincerely thank those present, looking at the public and then leave
the stand quietly.
Don't
wait until the end of the applauses, or go back to the stage to
receive a new ovation as if you were an artist.
You
have to avoid gesture like lifting your hands and giving a victory
sign, putting your hands on your heart, etc, neither should you
make comments like "how you exagerate", "it was nothing",
"I love you guys".
Once the
speech has finished it is quite often a good idea to ask someone that
has attended their sincere opinion of what it was like (strong points
and points that need imporiving).
Every
speech is a general rehearsal for the next event.
