{"id":1313,"date":"2021-08-27T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2023-01-24T20:12:06","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T20:12:06","slug":"5-ways-to-hook-your-audience-in-30-seconds-or-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iamdanram.com\/blog\/5-ways-to-hook-your-audience-in-30-seconds-or-less\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to hook your audience in 30 Seconds or less"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The first minute of any speech is the most crucial. When you introduce yourself onstage your challenge is to grab everyone\u2019s attention in the least amount of time. The BIG question is, how do you do that?  Hosting some of the world\u2019s biggest events I\u2019ve had to think on my toes about how to engage different types of audience.  Today I want to share with you a few of my strategies to help you captivate your audience in 30 seconds or less!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Originality\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#1 Originality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it might seem obvious, one of the fastest ways to capture anyone\u2019s attention is by being original.  Being different doesn\u2019t take hours of brainstorming, but it does take the ability to spot trends and then separate yourself from the rest of the pack.  If you can figure out how to contrast your style from the speakers who have presented before you, you will immediately demand attention. For example, if every other speaker introduces themselves with their name and job title, steer away from that approach and instead share your passion or hobbies. If the last 5 people introduce themselves with a rhetorical question,such as \u201cimagine a world..\u201d don\u2019t do that but instead open with a different method. Start building a list of openers you can pick from to begin your talk. Having more options at your fingertips will give you the advantage of being able to be flexible on stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can choose to be original in any number of categories including how you dress or how you use your voice.  You can sometimes draw people in by what you DON\u2019T say.  There have been many times I\u2019ve paid the most attention to a speaker when they talk a lot slower, using words in a more  measured way, and building added suspense by including a number of pauses. Getting your audience engaged is all about being different.  You will achieve this originality by listening to your colleagues and then identifying those things that make you <\/strong>stand out from everyone else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Curiosity\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#2 Curiosity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we get on stage we are ultimately expecting to ignite certain emotions in the audience. While originality might spark attention, curiosity will keep that attention. Curiosity can be sparked in a number of ways including playing little mind games with the audience such as including an unanswered question, or laying out a scenario that doesn\u2019t have a clear end.  If you use these techniques effectively you\u2019ll have your audience hooked, waiting with bated breath for you to resolve the scenario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you know\u201d statements also are effective tools that can serve as a fascinating lead-in statement at the beginning of your talk. The \u201cTwo Truths and a Lie\u201d icebreaker is also a technique you can use from the stage to keep your audience tantalized.  \u2018I\u2019m going to tell you 3 statements, which of these are true and which one is a lie.\u2019  Questions that are both informative while leaving room for mystery build the kind of intrigue that puts the audience\u2019s attention in the palm of your hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Animosity\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#3 Animosity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want you to know that having a polar opposite position to the status quo is an attention grabber.  When I use the word Animosity I don\u2019t intend for you to make enemies but I want you to be comfortable having a contrarian approach. If the 5 people before you have the same viewpoint, then you say \u2018I disagree with all of them\u2019 and then state your nuanced position. Anyone who has been passively listening up to this point will immediately pay attention to what YOU have to say. One of the best ways to have this contrarian approach is by spending time exploring the nuances of what you believe. If you can discover positive ways that your perspective can give your audience a refreshing  approach to a topic, you will keep their attention for the remainder of your talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Empathy\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#4 Empathy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing a story that is both relevant and relatable is the key to building empathy with your audiences.  This is true even for tech talks, financial reviews, and budget overviews. When preparing your talk, spend time thinking about what stories you can include that will resonate with the hearts and minds of your audience. Relatable stories are those that are told with refreshing honesty and transparency. The more relatable your story is, the more you will find  the entire audience nodding with you in agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Energy\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#5 Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People connect with energy; it’s one of the key factors that can make or break your immediate connection with your audience. The good news is that every speaker can choose what type of vibe they want the room to embrace.  If you are a chill Zen person you can expect the audience to come to your energy level.  If you are a high energy always smiling kind of person, you can expect your audience to have a similar response to you.  One of the ways to hook an audience is to be intentional about the energy you are transmitting.  A lot of speakers think that it\u2019s the audiences\u2019 energy that feeds them, but the best speakers know that it is THEIR own energy that feeds the audience.  Being proactive about the energy you emit is your superpower to give the room the ambiance you desire.  Your communication style also contributes to the energy you convey. Take the time to consider how you communicate with your hands, eyes, and other facial expressions because if you can harness the power of these expressions you can make your audience think \u2018That person is fascinating\u2026.i need to keep watching.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ball is in YOUR court<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have these 5 basic ingredients to audience engagement the ball is now in your court to combine them in effective ways.  You can start this exercise now by getting a pen and paper and answering the following questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n