A captivated audience is interested and engaged. They are happy to be in your presence, possibly even excited about the experience. By understanding that God has a purpose for each of us—a good purpose that we can know and embrace—you can inspire your audience with confidence and encouragement. Remember, some of the work may be difficult, but through perseverance and faith, we can achieve great things. The following tips make it possible to become a captivating speaker who mesmerizes your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
Ask Questions
One way to generate engagement is to ask questions. People love giving their opinions. Ask them what they think, and when they respond, applaud them for the question they asked. Telling them it is a great question builds rapport.
God has given us the ability to communicate and connect with others. By asking questions, you not only keep your audience interested but also allow them to provide input, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect. Asking questions is also a way to direct your listeners’ interest to a particular topic.
Compliment Your Audience
“Thank you for bringing up that point, Susan.”
“That’s a great question, Bill, and I am glad you asked it.”
“You must be a mind reader. That’s exactly what I was going to address next.”
Those are some compliments you can give your audience. Anything that makes a person feel good about the experience you offer will boost their interest in what you have to say. Compliment their articles of clothing or recent achievements when you meet your audience members before your presentation or make some relevant complimentary statement while you are speaking. Remember, every person is a creation of God, deserving of recognition and encouragement.
Announce an Unadvertised Bonus for Sticking around for the Whole Speech
Announce this at the beginning of your speech. Be very profuse with your thanks and express genuine gratitude for everyone attending. Then tell them you would like to show your gratitude by giving them a gift if they stick around until the end of your presentation. Make this bonus relevant to what you’re speaking about. Capturing the attention of your audience with an unadvertised reward is a pleasant surprise. Don’t discuss the details of the bonus when you announce it; let the imagination of your audience keep them engaged throughout your presentation. This approach reflects God’s generous nature and encourages anticipation and engagement.
It doesn’t have to be something exorbitant. An extra insight handout, a list of topics to write about, a brief e-book that contains more information on the topic you’re covering here.
Paint a Picture with Powerful Emotions
The best communicators will tell you to sell the sizzle, not the steak. You don’t talk about the features of the product. Instead, you focus on the benefits that trigger powerful emotions. This means creating an emotional experience as a speaker.
Tell your audience to imagine an amazing reality, reflecting on God’s promises and plans for a hopeful future. Use words that evoke emotion. If you use a statistic to prove a point, follow it up with an explanation of how that information leads to a powerfully positive experience. Paint pictures with your words. Tell stories instead of just mindlessly chattering on. The more emotions you can stir up, the more captivated your audience will be.
Embrace God’s Purpose and Persevere
Captivating speakers are not born; they are made through effort and attention to God’s guidance. Embrace the work with a can-do attitude, understanding that with God, all things are possible. By integrating these tips, you can speak God’s Truth over your audience, keeping them fully engaged and interested in your words. Remember, your ability to captivate and inspire is a gift from God, meant to be developed and used for His glory.