| Any professional speaker will tell you that one of the | | | | needed, provide an extra seat. |
| most important rules of speaking is to know your | | | | If speaking at a function that does not involve a meal, |
| audience. For most speakers, this means hours of | | | | try to arrange for some water and a snack, at least. If |
| preparation researching the company or organization | | | | no food is available, provide some fruit, candy or even |
| to which they will present their material. Speakers | | | | trail mix. This can help attendees get through a long |
| know that by reading trade publications, in-house | | | | program. Remember that audience members with |
| newsletters and promotional materials, they will learn | | | | diabetes or hypoglycemia require access to food. |
| the jargon that is the language of that company. | | | | Besides, hungry attendees are inattentive attendees. |
| Real pros will also inquire about the audience members | | | | When incorporating humor in your presentations, think |
| themselves. They will ascertain something about the | | | | very carefully about the jokes you choose. If you |
| corporate structure, the VIP's, those employees who | | | | obtain material from humor websites, use the humor |
| have won awards, etc. This gives a speaker an | | | | from their "clean" section. When in doubt, don't use it. If |
| "insider's edge" when he or she stands before what is | | | | you want to make a joke about an executive or |
| otherwise a roomful of strangers. By the time the | | | | supervisor in the group, approach him or her privately |
| speaker takes the lectern, a great deal is known about | | | | and ask permission first. While this is a good trick to |
| the audience. However, there is one more piece of | | | | ingratiate you to the rank and file, it may backfire. You |
| information that a speaker might not know but must | | | | never want to risk ruining what may be a well-crafted |
| take into consideration when preparing a talk: Are | | | | image. Stay away from the big landmines. You know |
| there any attendees with disabilities? Below are a few | | | | the ones - no jokes about race, religion or sexuality. |
| tips that will help you to make all of your talks more | | | | On the other hand, self-deprecating humor almost |
| accessible and inclusive. | | | | always works well. Don't overdo it, though. You don't |
| When planning the audience seating arrangements, ask | | | | want to come across as though you are a victim |
| if there is adequate access for wheelchair users. | | | | seeking sympathy. Sprinkle observational humor |
| Provide an extra-wide aisle for wheelchairs to sit | | | | throughout your presentation, and restrict it to subjects, |
| amongst the audience. Wheelchair users should not be | | | | such as bizarre policies or ridiculous procedures, |
| forced to occupy the very back of the room, or the | | | | equipment snafus, or humorous storytelling, with a point |
| very front row, if they do not wish to. | | | | as well as a punchline. |
| If you are using written materials, make copies | | | | As our society becomes more diverse, so does our |
| available in a twenty-four-point font size. This is a | | | | workplace and so must our speaking skills. Remember |
| standard large print text size, and will enable most | | | | that it is unwise to make assumptions about any group. |
| people with low vision to access your valuable talking | | | | The specific nature of that diversity may not be |
| points. If you are making a presentation using slides or | | | | apparent, but that does not mean a careless remark |
| video, make a point to read the text as you go, or | | | | will not deeply affect or offend a member of the |
| provide a brief narrative of the content. This can be | | | | audience who may have friends or loved ones who |
| accomplished smoothly and with discretion, so as not | | | | are proud to belong to a group you just disparaged. No |
| to needlessly draw attention to any individual. | | | | one will remember your silly jokes, but someone is |
| For attendees who are deaf or hearing impaired, allow | | | | likely to remember that you took the time to provide |
| for seats to be reserved up front if you are not using | | | | large print materials. Accommodating the needs of a |
| a microphone, or near speakers if using amplification. | | | | diverse audience is an act of consideration and |
| Ask your assistant, sergeant-at-arms or the facility | | | | respect that can only enhance your professional |
| set-up crew to help attendees identify these seats. | | | | reputation. |
| Remember that if a sign-language interpreter will be | | | | Copyright 2005 All rights reserved. |