How Do You Analyze Your Audience During Presentations?

One of the problems associated with the media interview is that you are dealing with two audiences, the reporter and his or her listeners or readers. You must analyse two audiences. Many business people assume the reporter will be hostile. This stereotype of evil media is just as unfair as the oft-bemoaned stereotype of the media, try to enter the interview with a sound attitude.

Consider first reporter in general. Most of them are serious hard-working professionals just like you. Their job is to find newsworthy stories that will interest their audience. They are under time, pressure, commercial pressures and competitive pressures. They must compress what you say to fit space or airtime. They want to come up with something arousing and engaging. Consider also the individual reporters. What they know about you? What do you represent to them? Next consider your second audience, the readers and the listeners. Who are they? Middle America, watching a general talk show or specialists reading a technical journal? What do they knew about you, your topic and your relationship to your topic?  Once you have established their level of expertise, be sure to talk in terms they will understand. Unless you are dealing with colleagues or specialists, avoid business jargon's or any terms your audience might not understand. Instead of saving, the board of directors would recommend the product re segmentation to improve the return on investment.

1. Say nothing. Look your audience in the eyes. How many of them avoid your gaze?
2. Make your first introductory statements. Stop for a second and see how many more are looking at you.
3. Now check out the body language. How many are leaning forward intently, how many are playing with their pens or chatting to their neighbours or looking out of the window.

If you haven't got your answer by now then there is nothing more to be said.