A Handful of Tips 85 – Audience Rapport

The five best tips to establish a rapport with an audience

Try to establish a bond with your audience right from the start.

Focus on a simple, clear, interesting message.

1. At the start

Compose yourself, pause, smile and tell a story or an anecdote.

2. Look for common ground

Talk about local experiences, associations or environmental issues.

Refer to familiar places and quote people the audience respect.

3. Focus on the audience’s concerns 

Agree with some of their hopes, beliefs, attitudes and values.

People like new information, so make your message fresh, exciting and stimulating.

If you make recommendations explain the benefits and advantages.

4. Be polite and respectful at all times

Keep calm even if you have a hostile audience.

Let the chairperson deal with any problems.

5. Share your feelings and emotions 

Tell them how you feel about things. Be honest, modest and sincere.

-Geoffrey 

“Bait your message to hook your listeners.”

SOURCE: “Time-Savers”, Moss Associates, Ltd and Cengage Learning Asia’s “Time Management Secrets”. Also available as 

an e-book from Amazon.com.