As an experienced conference content creator and producer, I have closely observed both conference speakers and their audiences from the back of the room at my events.
Over time, I’ve noticed a significant shift in what truly engages audiences.
When a session captivates them, the mobile phones go away, the laptops close, and the whispering stops.
They become fully present, tuned-in, and focused on the speaker.
Today’s conference attendees seek more than just to absorb information; they want to be inspired, entertained, and actively involved.
These should be the three main objectives of your presentation.
Falling short on any one of them risks losing your audience’s attention, regardless of whether your presentation is full of rich educational material.
Recently, at a large-scale media conference in Brighton, I observed that the most successful sessions (those that inspired, entertained, and actively involved their audiences) shared specific elements in common.
Make sure you take note of the following conference speaker tips to ensure you’re meeting the evolving needs of a modern conference audience:
Edutainment
Blend education and entertainment to create ‘edutainment’. This approach encourages attendees to not only learn but also enjoy the process.
Conferences are opportunities for connection and one of the best ways to achieve this is through fun!
Here are some examples of how to achieve edutainment:
Interactivity – workshops, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
Gamification – use quizzes, competitions, and challenges .
Pop Culture
This may sound low-brow in a conference environment, but trust me it works!
Integrating elements of pop culture can make your content more relatable, accessible, and memorable.
For example:
Pop culture references – refer to movies, TV shows, and music to illustrate the points you’re making.
Celebrity appearances or cameos – refer to celebrities or influencers similarly to illustrate a point. You could even consider inviting a client who fits the bill to join you on stage. A sprinkle of celebrity stardust in a presentation sparks intrigue and a touch of excitement, while offering a unique perspective.
Informality
Contrary to what some may think, I’ve noticed that audiences are less engaged when they are being spoken at my someone in a suit at a lectern.
An informal and relaxed presence on stage helps to create a welcoming atmosphere which helps to make your audience feel comfortable to participate, actively listen, and ask questions.
Please Note: There is a distinction between being ‘informal and relaxed’ and being unprofessional. You can maintain professionalism while adopting an informal approach. The latter should never be compromised in conference environments!
A few ways to embrace informality are through:
Dress code – wear what you’re most comfortable presenting in; smart corporate business attire is not the only option anymore. If you feel at ease and confident in your outfit, that will translate on stage!
Dialogue exchange – foster genuine interaction and conversation with the attendees during your session. Don’t talk at them, but rather help them to feel involved.
Personality
The best conference sessions are delivered by speakers who bring their full selves to the stage.
They are relatable, authentic, and maintain a light-hearted manner to establish a genuine connection with the audience.
Achieve this through:
Humour – apply your unique sense of humour to make the audience laugh or share a funny anecdote that relates to your key message.
Authenticity – be genuine and true to yourself. Authenticity resonates and radiates on stage and is the best way to build trust and rapport.
Stories
Audiences love a story!
Telling stories is a great way to captivate and connect with people on a deeper, more emotional level.
They’re also a great tool to add elements of entertainment to your presentation.
The best conference speakers weave narratives into their presentations in order to paint vivid pictures and illustrate complex ideas in relatable ways.
Here’s how you can do this too:
Personal Experiences – Share relevant anecdotes or personal experiences to forge a deeper emotional connection with your audience.
Narrative – Bring data and facts to life by creating a compelling narrative around them or using real-life examples to illustrate your points.
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I hope you have found this article useful and will refer to it next time you have to speak a conference!
I’m interested to know how you think audience expectations and engagement are shifting too so do comment with your thoughts!
You can find more articles for conference speakers here.
All the best
Tilly x
