Page 298 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

patients I have worked with in the past.” Audiences tend to be more attentive when they believe that the
person speaking to them is able to relate to their circumstances or demonstrate any connection they may have
with a particular group. For example, you might say, “I have lived in this community for 15 years . . .” or “I
was once 25 lb overweight myself . . . .” If one gives it some thought, almost all audiences have some traits
with which the speaker can identify.10–12

Presenters are evaluated by the audience and the audience’s perceptions add to the ambiance from the
moment they enter the room. Whenever possible, presenters should arrive early and make an effort to meet
people. Their own self-confidence, whether real or feigned, will relax the audience and increase attendees’
perceptions of the speaker’s desire to share information. Presenters should never volunteer negative
information regarding their own stress or fear of speaking. The audience wants to learn and enjoy. When they
are aware of the speaker’s fragility or stage fright, they tend to become nervous themselves in sympathy.8–12

If the presenters are waiting to be introduced and are seated among the audience or on a stage, they should
be aware that audience members will be watching their every move. This starts before beginning the
presentation. Speakers must be careful to smile, look confident, and extend themselves to others. After the
speaker is introduced, the way he or she walks up to the podium is critical. The pose that the speaker assumes
during the presentation is also influential. During those first moments, an initial impression is being created.
The speaker should walk confidently while looking and smiling toward the audience. Before uttering the first
words to the audience, a good technique is to spend a long 3 seconds just looking out at the audience. Try to
smile and establish eye contact with several people. This allows them to infer poise, confidence, and the
speaker’s desire to connect with them.10,13

Trained speakers see almost everything from their position in front of the room. If they are alert, they may
see people who are beginning to fidget. They can interpret and act on such feedback. Speakers might decide
consequently to give the audience a brief interaction, such as responding to a question by asking audience
members to raise their hands. They might heighten their own movements to regain attention. They might
engage in a new activity, perhaps one that involves audience participation. They might see some people
coming in late, looking awkwardly for a seat. This gives them the opportunity to publicly welcome them and
ask others to move over to provide seating. The audience will begin to send signals and participate when they
realize the speaker is sensitive to them.8,9

Although individual situations may make it difficult to adhere to this structure, a general rule is to plan on
at least 10 minutes for audience interaction when the speaker-allotted time is 60 minutes. When speaking for
more than an hour, audience participation activities during the presentation are essential to keep the audience
engaged and invested. The highly acclaimed TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) talk format uses
an 18-minute time frame.10

Use of Visuals

Media are a direct extension of the speaker and consequently reflect directly on the speaker’s credibility.
Media may include computer-generated slides, video or audio clips, handouts, flip charts, and even actual
props such as food. Media that are prepared, designed, and implemented with high professional standards set
the stage for a superior presentation. For example, a speaker who uses slides in large print with attractive clip
art, rather than a black-and-white lettering with small print, allows the audience to infer that he or she is an

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