What to do if your presentation is going down in flames
Is your presentation going down in flames?
Your audience looks lost or bored or worse BOTH. Heck, this presentation is going so poorly even you are bored by you.
You need to FIX your speech. Here are 3 steps (easy mnemonic device included) to help you adapt to your audience on the fly and ultimately FIX your relationship with the audience.
Face the music
First, do a perception check. Have you really lost your audience or is there just one or two people giving you stink eye? If it is just one or two, ignore those jerks. Focus on the members of the audience who are engaged and listening. However, if it is a large portion of the audience looks lost, it’s time to face the music. Acknowledge that you’ve lost them. “Looking at you, I’m seeing some confused expressions.”
That will get their attention because you are paying attention to them!
Investigate
After facing the music, ask the audience if they have any questions or at what point did you lose them. My experience has been some brave soul will pipe up with what they didn’t understand or where you lost them. Someone will have a question because the audience wants you to succeed and really they want to make your presentation less painful for them, The challenge for the speaker then is addressing this question or confusion which is why…
EXamples
…I like to be prepared lots of options and examples! When I was professor or now when I do more technical presentation, I come prepared with a host of options and examples. If my audience is not responding to one explanation, I am ready with another. If an example is not hitting its mark, I’ve got handy alternative. Being prepared with multiple explanations and examples, looks like I am spontaneously adapting on the fly, but I am not! I’m just ready (or nerdy or both).
Don't let your relationship with your audience crash and burn. You can fix it, recover and be a rocking presentation success!
What other suggestions do you have for recovering from presentation failure? I would love to hear your suggestions and reactions in the comments section below or on my Facebook page.
You hit the nail on the head with this one! Unfortunately, too many presenters follow such a “canned” presentation that they all but ignore their audience’s feedback. They pay more attention to their speaking and the clock more then the audience.
Jen thank you for your comment. You are right too many speakers stick with their “script” instead of adapting as they go. It’s a shame as there is so much you can do to save it, but the speaker has to be aware and audience centered!
If I can make an activity out of it, or turn it into something where my audience gets to take a few minutes to discuss something in pairs or small groups this can very quickly re-energize and re-engage them. It can also give me a quick breather to collect my thoughts, or decide what the next approach will be to tackle the subject.
Kristi – it’s funny you mention this as I was writing a post about activities in presentations today. I agree with you that an activity is a great way to refocus and reinvigorate your audience. It does also give you a chance to get a sip of water and decide what should come next! Awesome points, Kristi.
Michelle! I like the FIX!
It comes merely true, when a presenter get worried because low energy audience can almost fall asleep with your show, then the communication can be lost at all! In my job as an EHS specialist, we need to explain mid to complex concepts to a wide variety of workers, from managers, janitors and contractors. I like to investigate and find what is in common with all of them, and why my point is important to them… all what we do it’s because we care about you!
Hi Oscar! I’m glad you like the FIX. When you are explaining technical or complex topics to an audience (especially an audience who might not quite understand why they are haring your speak), it so smart that you are trying to find that common thread between them. It will keep them more engaged and shows how much you care about the audience and serving them.
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