Audience Focused

SWIFTIE LEVEL

What keeps you up at night?

For many of us, it's our kids' future or our financial situations or our company's growth. For others it could be major life decisions you’re thinking through. Or maybe you just can’t sleep.

Whatever the reason, I’m going to plant an idea in your head and hopefully it will blossom into something amazing.

Be obsessed with your audience's needs and success.

Yes, I know you have a ton of other things to be obsessed with and that probably keeps you up at night. But, if you want to truly succeed as a speaker and leader, you have to think about your audience's success as much as possible.

But, before I go any further, I want to make sure you understand the level of obsession I’m talking about.

Did you notice the shift that happened this past summer? It was sizable. It was a Taylor Swift shift! Wasn’t it amazing to watch hundreds of thousands of people flock to and attend her concerts? Have you stopped and wondered why so many people adore her? I think it's primarily because she adores her audience. There’s something there for you to learn.

It’s time for you to think ‘Swiftie’ level. Treat your audience like Taylor treats hers. Be obsessed with helping them and giving them the skills they need to succeed. If you’re going to speak like a leader and speak with people, you have to dive deep into their needs and provide a solution for their problem.

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

For so many years, I was completely obsessed with myself. Me, myself and I were my favorite obsessions. Shamefully that’s true. I would obsess over my performance, how funny I was, and how great the story was going to be and how amazing the slides were and the list goes on and on.

My focus was completely wrong.

Yes, as communicators and leaders, our preparation has to be incredibly focused. We have to be ready. But, we have to do it with our audience in mind. Instead of worrying about and asking ‘me’ centered questions, ask and answer these type of questions:

• Who is my audience?
• What is my audience's biggest problem?
• What keeps them up at night? 
• How are they doing with addressing their problem?
• What would make them succeed?
• Why should they listen to me? 
• What can I give them that they haven’t heard before?

When you can answer these questions, look out!

Obsessing and focusing on your audience also helps you break down the common roadblocks stopping you from being successful when you speak. These roadblocks may include dealing with nerves, using filler words, sweating profusely, or being boring. Why does obsessing and focusing on your audience help?

Because you are ready! You are no longer focused on your inadequacies but focused on them. You are ready to own the room. You are ready to speak like a leader. Now for the last step and quite possibly the most important step of these three.

You may not be selling out football stadiums, but you can obsess over your audience’s success just as much as Taylor. With every opportunity you have to speak, treat it like you sold out a stadium and you’re going to give a three hour concert. Ask yourself the questions that are keeping your audience up at night and bring those solutions.

Before long, you will have your own Swifties.

By Jason Raitz - President, Speak with People

Jason is obsessed with his audience, always on the look out for new ideas and ways to connect. He loves to use humor, stories, and object lessons to communicate clearly and compel his audience to action.