I told you that I would be speaking at an assisted living facility yesterday and that I was a little concerned about being able to connect with this audience. This was not my typical audience and I was having trouble coming to terms with how to entertain/inform them.
Well, guess what? The audience was wonderful. There were about fifteen or twenty people in attendance and they were quite attentive. They were also eager to be involved. They participated when I asked questions or asked for feedback of some kind. And several of them had good questions, as well. Very nice experience.
So what is the key to turning a potentially tough presentation into a wonderful experience? Heck, darned if I know. But I feel that mindset is a large part of it. Before I walked up to the podium, I quieted myself and imagined being guided in presenting this talk. I chose to look at the audience as friends who were interested in what I had to say. I watched the audience response and shifted my presentation accordingly in order to hold their interest.
Just as you would do when writing a book—any book—I considered my audience throughout the program.
Have you ever watched a speaker who obviously has his or her own agenda and seems to have completely shut the audience out while they drone on and on? Some authors do this while writing their books, as well. They have a story to tell or a perspective to sell and that is what they focus on throughout the writing process.
What is the result of this author mentality? Readers feel little or no connection to your story or your instructional book, for example. A book written expressly to massage the author’s ego or to fulfill an author’s need to share, may not resonate with his or her proposed readers at all.
What are some of the clues indicating that the author has not considered his audience?
• The manuscript (or book) lacks clarity in places. The author neglects to speak to his audience—but rather just puts his thoughts and ideas down in a rather haphazard manner. He knows what his intention is and he doesn’t consider whether or not readers can follow his instructions or his story.
• The book is not well-organized.
• The book is not particularly useful or entertaining.
• The book is missing elements that a reader would need in order to understand or enjoy it.
• The author seems to be “speaking” to a very narrow segment of readers and most cannot relate to the material.
• He includes material that seems irrelevant to the story or informational book and/or he does a lot of ranting.
When you stand up and speak before a group or sit down to write for publication, it is your job—your responsibility—to consider your audience first.
You know how I like to give assignments. Your assignment today is to read what you’ve been writing lately as if you are a member of your audience. Determine whether or not you are actually addressing your audience. Or are you writing for yourself?
You know, I sometimes suggest to authors who have a gripe, who want to change minds and hearts, who are determined to tell their stories their way, that they write a first draft just the way they want to. Write the rants into it—the anger, personal anguish and gripes, the blame, the fancy words that create meaningless phrases… Then throw that version away. If you still believe it is something that would entertain, inform or assist a large group of readers, then write it anew—sans the personal baggage.
For more about me, my work and my books, visit my websites:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com