- "Today I'm going to share with you..." or
- "I'd like to tell you about..." or
- "Let me tell you a story" ?
Whenever you hear those statements from a speaker what is your initial reaction?
You may, or you may not be like me, but if you were like me your immediate thoughts would be something like:
- I don't really care what you're going to share with me, tell me why I should care first.
- I don't really care what you'd like to tell me about, how does it relate to me.
- Why should I let you tell me a story? And, anyway you've got the stage, I'm in a seat in the audience I have no power to let you do anything, I'm stuck here listening.
With those types of lead in statements the speaker comes across as making the information all about him or her. It sends the message that they are the expert and the genius and you are going to learning something magnificent just by listening to them speak.
It is an arrogant and condescending way to present.
Your audience members will either overtly be turned off by that type of language or they will unconsciously sense that you care more about yourself than them.
Powerful speakers know and practice using "you" statements that lead into the stories and points they want their audience to learn.
Just like I opened this blog article with the statement "have you ever" using that language to direct the audience's attention towards their own experience related to a point you are about to make.
Here are three slight adjustments to the "I' versions of the statements above that will make you an even more powerful presenter:
- Instead of saying, "today I am going to share with you," turn that around to make your point in a more powerful and engaging way with, "today you are going to hear about..."
- Instead of saying, "I'd like to tell you about," have your audience lean in to listen even more intently when you say, "you are going to learn about."
- Instead of saying, "Let me tell you a story," engage your audience's curiosity by saying, "if you've ever had this happen, then you know what I went through just getting here today."
More on powerful "you" focused statements to connect with and build deeper audience relationships next month.
If you'd like to learn more easy to apply, World Class Speaking strategies to set you apart join the PresentationPower for Leaders Community for FREE to receive a weekly Presentation Power Tip that can transform your presentation skills.
Skip works with the owners of companies with between 6-60 employees to transform workplace communication in 90-days and create a more positive, more productive and even more profitable company.
Additionally, he coaches and trains business professionals and professional speakers to become a World Class Speaker and presenter that can inspire and motivate any type of audience. You can learn more about Skip at www.WorkplaceCommunicationExpert.com and www.SkipWeismanSpeaks.com .
