Insider Tips: How to Instantly Engage Your Audience

Today, we’re diving into the critical first moments of your speech—the make-or-break window where you captivate your audience’s attention and set the stage for success.

Picture this: You step onto the stage, the spotlight beams down, and all eyes are on you. This is it. The crucial moment when your audience decides if they are going to listen to you or tune you out and spend the next hour playing games on their phone.

In any speech or presentation, the first 3- 5 minutes will set the tone for everything else. If you want to be a good speaker, trainer or presenter you HAVE to properly manage this time.

As soon as you set foot on the stage, your audience’s brains are immediately thinking:

“Who is this person?”
“What are we going to do?”
“How do I need to participate?”

So to help you instantly earn the trust and attention of your audience, you need to nail three key elements in the first five minutes:

1. Establish Authority: Whether it’s a quirky tidbit, a compelling quote, or a mind-bending exercise like my infamous finger trick, grab their attention and subtly signal: “I’ve got something valuable to share that you don’t already know.”

2. Declare Intentions: Answer that nagging question: “What’s in it for me?” Lay out your agenda and objectives with confidence. Whether it’s promising a revelation, a transformation, or a newfound skill, make it crystal clear what you intend to accomplish together. Some examples are: “Today, I’m going to show you…” or “In the next 45 minutes, xyz is going to happen” or “By the time we leave here, you will know…”

3. Radiate Energy: Ah, here’s where many falter. Remember our friend from last week who missed the mark on authenticity because she was trying to be someone she wasn’t? She was trying to get the crowd riled up to a 10/10 energy level when she only was a 6/10 energy person. Don’t be that speaker.

Match your energy to the vibe you want to create—whether it’s high-octane excitement or a calm, focused atmosphere. And remember, your energy level sets the tone and signals how your audience should engage with you. Your energy is going to let them know if this speech will be fun, serious, educational, and yes, even the B-word… boring.

Dino Watt

PS: Head on over to my Facebook group called “Command the Room”. It’s a group dedicated to helping like minded speakers improve their craft.

PPS: I save audiences from boring speeches by helping speakers make a lasting impact. 🤝