9 Tips To Keep Your Audience In Attention

Almost every event, like conventions, alumni homecomings, graduations, fund-raising events, or award ceremonies, has a guest speaker to highlight the event.

Guest speakers are chosen for a reason, such as their popularity or past accomplishments, to make the event memorable.

As much as possible, the speaker's job or field of success should have something to do with the event.

Let's say the event is a meeting of people who build homes. The likely guest speaker could be a well-known and respected housing czar from the city or state.

A speaker must find ways to keep the audience's attention on what he is saying if he wants to leave a lasting impression.

If you've been asked to speak at a gathering as a guest speaker, the tips below might help keep people from getting up or doing something else while you talk.

1. Add a little humour to your speech to keep people listening and wanting more. Studies show that people find it interesting to listen to a speaker when they use humour. But be careful not to go too far with your jokes, as this could accidentally embarrass or confuse other people. This could cause people to criticise what you say. Try to avoid criticism as much as possible.
2. Think about how the industry will look in 5 or 10 years if things go well. Be clear and accurate in your prediction. If you need to work hard, say so.
3. Your speech should fit with the purpose of the meeting by talking about things that are related to the goal and relevant to current needs for the good of the majority.
4. One of the best ways to make a point when you bring up a problem is to give an example. Make a clear connection between the example and the issue.
5. Speak with a clear, crisp, and easy-to-understand voice and an excited tone. Avoid mumbling. Try not to eat the words like you're chewing gum.
6. Having the audience take part may seem like it turns your speech into a discussion, but it's a good way to see if what you're saying or offering is working.
7. More speakers make a list of the topics they want to talk about instead of preparing a speech that they read (or have memorised) word for word. A spontaneous speech that is based on ideas that have been planned or written down comes across more naturally.
8. Let's say the meeting was set up to save a business or boost the spirits of people who will be directly and indirectly affected by it. Try your best to give a speech that moves people. A speech full of positive ideas, like imagining a bright future, can change a sad mood into an upbeat one. If you know a lot about the industry and have a way to stop its downward trend, then say it.
9. As you end your speech, leave a message that will last and mean something.

People will remember the speaker for a long time if he or she gives a speech that makes people think long after the speech is over.