Public Speaking Navigation
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Audience Complaints
Public speaking skills are vital when it comes to being a successful speaker. It is helpful to know what an audience likes and dislikes. There are some common complaints universal to many public speaking audiences. Consider avoiding the following audience complaints the next time you are speaking.
==> Hearing - The most common audience complaint about public speaking is not being able to hear or understand the person speaking. If using a sound system, do a sound check before the speech. If you do not have a sound system, speak to the last row of your audience. If your voice is projected to the back row of the audience, the entire audience will hear you.
==> Understanding - The audience must understand each word you say. Do not talk too fast when giving your speech. It is easy to talk too fast when public speaking, especially if you have spent a great deal of time practicing your speech. Remember that the audience is hearing your speech for the first time. Do not rush through your speech. Make the effort to ensure each word is clear and understandable. Practice good diction and enunciate.
==> Monotone Voice - Boring, monotone voices can result in an audience feeling trapped and antsy. Audiences will zone out a monotone speaker while longing for escape. Even a speaker with an incredible speech cannot overcome the damage a monotone voice can do. Speak with passion about your topic to overcome a monotone voice. Speak faster when you get to an exciting part in your speech. Speak more slowly to make a point or when explaining something complex during your speech. Vary the pitch and inflection of your voice when you are public speaking. If you are passionate about your speech, let your audience know it by allowing it to come through in your voice.
==> Lack of Eye Contact - Eye contact allows your audience to have a connection to you while you are speaking. Your audience will give you more attention if you look openly at them. Take the opportunity during your speech to look directly at individual audience members. Do not look at a person for more than a few seconds before moving on to someone else.
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