Your audience is always the most crucial component of your presentation or speech. At the end of the day, your goal is to impact and influence them. They will become the barometer of your presentation’s success. That said, many highly effective presenters focus on understanding their audience members. They strive to gain crucial insights into their audience members so they can tailor their presentation for their audience. This may include integrating examples or scenarios that audience members can easily relate to.
On the surface, this seems like a good strategy to help your presentation resonate with your audience. However, as you go through the process of gaining insights into your audience members you may find yourself overloaded. This is especially true in larger audiences, where there are a variety of audience members in the room with competing interests.
This is where the old adage comes in, “You can’t be all things to all people”. So, what should you do? The most effective presenters focus on one single individual. Preferably, the decision maker, your senior supervisor, or whomever has the most clout in the room. Develop your presentation with them in mind, and you’ll be far more effective overall, rather than attempting to accommodate everyone.
