The Opening Line That Alienated An Audience
“I was asked to speak for 20 minutes. I have a lot of notes here, so we’ll see how far I get.”
That’s how one speaker began her remarks at a presentation I recently attended. Her opening made me bristle, and I found myself upset at her for beginning that way. Here’s how I automatically processed her opening:
“Hi. I was asked to speak for 20 minutes. I didn’t think you were an important enough audience for which to prepare a thoughtful talk and time it out in advance, so I decided to just wing it a bit. I have a few notes here, so I’ll just start talking and finish whenever my 20 minutes are up. Of course, I may have a few important points at the end of my notes that I simply won’t have time to get to, so you’ll be left wondering whether I neglected to make any of my critical points. Well, anyway, how about I just start talking?”
From her first line, this speaker communicated that her time was more valuable than that of the audience to which she was invited to speak. And the shame is, she was a brilliant woman with important information. At moments, she made the audience laugh. But I couldn’t forgive the lack of respect she gave the moment and the audience from the very beginning.
As happens when people fail to prepare adequately, she ended much as she began: as a lame speaker limping to the finish line. Several minutes into her talk, she asked the host. “How much time do I have left?” The host responded: “None.” The audience laughed at that exchange, but for all the wrong reasons.
I like to include actionable advice in my posts whenever possible, but today’s is rather obvious. Prepare for your presentations in advance. Practice with a timer to make sure your presentation fits within the allowable time limits. And if you fail to do either of those things, at least have the good sense not to announce your lack of preparation to your audience.
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Hi Brad,
I am curious how the rest of the audience responded. Do you think your background made you more likely to hold her opening remark against her?
Deborah –
Thanks for your question. You’re right that I’m more sensitive to these issues as a public speaking trainer than other people might be. My sense of the audience (which I watched closely during her talk) was that they didn’t think she “bombed” outright. But she lacked focus and spark, and paled in comparison to the other speakers who were on the panel.
From my perspective, the bigger issue is that she had great material — but because it was buried and disorganized, it didn’t land with the impact it should have. For me, that was the most painful part of all.
Thanks for reading!
Brad
I can’t help but wonder if there was more going on. Perhaps the speaker had been told she’d have a longer time slot? Might she at the last minute have been asked – or told – to shorten her presentation due to earlier back-ups? I was particularly struck by the exchange later. Sounds as if there’s no love lost between speaker and host, which is probably what made me wonder if something else was at play.
But that is all beside the point, mere shading. None of those potential outside factors changes your observation. Even if it were the case, the audience was still given the impression they’re not as important as everything else, including even the time clock.
It does beg a question, though, in my mind. Even if not a factor in your example, what does one do if a speaking engagement is shortened, perhaps dramatically, at the last minute?
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment.
In this case, the speaker knew the amount of time she had going in, as did the other panelists. So there was no last-minute shortening in her case, and the other panelists all managed to fit their remarks into their allotted time.
But your larger question — what to do when a speaking engagement is shortened at the last minute — is a great question that would make a great blog post. Thank you for the terrific idea, and please keep an eye on the blog for that post! (And I’ll make sure to give you credit for the idea when it runs.)
Thanks for reading,
Brad
Thanks Brad. Thought provoking as usual The speaker’s lack of preparation knowhow may also be a factor here.
A couple of ideas which clients value are to prepare a timed agenda and to recognize the importance of pacing–the right amount of ideas for the time allotted
And for goodness sake, learn a few good opening ideas.
Best,
Laurie
You have GOT to be kidding. Except I know you’re not. “I didn’t think you were an important enough audience?” If I were there, I very well may have thought, “Well okay, then,” and left the room. No matter what the circumstance, speech shortened at the last minute or not, it is not your audience’s fault and they deserve respect.
I’ve heard the same thing in the past and my reaction was the same as yours Brad. As a politician my preference is to engage the audience. I usually have a few major points I want to get across then engage the audience by asking questions, setting the stage for a give and take discussion.
I don’t tell them I am nervous and avoid looking at my watch at all costs.
I perfer to keep my presentations short, much to the point. If and only if the audience wants to draw it out will I go longer.
Regards, Paul
Paul,
Sounds like your instincts are spot on. As performers have known for generations, it’s always better to leave your audiences wanting more than to overwhelm them. (Of course, it’s even better if you give them the perfect amount.)
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Brad