Are you losing your newbie audience? Do you leave them wondering what you’re talk about? When you know your topic well, it’s really easy to do.
If you want to serve your listeners, you need to keep them right there with you – not 3 steps behind. If they can’t understand you, they’re gone!
Watch The Jargon
The Challenge: Jargon is the vocabulary specific to your niche. It’s easy to slip into because you’re reading it yourself and using it with your colleagues. It can save you time because one word can stand for two sentences’ worth of explanation. But you can’t be sure your audience knows what those terms mean. And most people won’t ask if they don’t know. They just stay confused.
The Fix: Try out your talk or report on a friend who knows nothing about your topic. Ask them to point out any unclear places. Then use your terms, but define them. The second time you use the term, make a short reference to your definition. (This helps those who missed it the first time.)
Who & What You Mention
The Challenge: Thought leaders in your field are familiar to you because you’re following what they’re doing. You may even have relationships with them. The same thing goes for regular industry events. But your listeners (or readers) may have no clue as to who or what you’re referring to – or why.
The Fix: Give a short reference point to anyone or any event you mention, including where to find out more. This will help your listeners to follow up if they want to. They’ll also be able to stay focused on what you’re talking about. Otherwise, they’re racking their brains trying to find their own reference points. And they’re not listening to YOU.
Assuming Knowledge
The Challenge: It’s tough to remember what it was like in the beginning, isn’t it? Unless you give it some attention, it’s very easy to skip over critical information that your audience really needs – especially if they’re newbies.
The Fix: Before you get started, get a feel for the knowledge level of the person or group you’re talking to. Encourage questions. Make a joke about it. If I’ve got a group that’s pretty quiet and may not ask questions, I ask them to hold up an index finger if I reference something they’re not familiar with. I demonstrate, and joke about the secret sign that I’m being confusing. It helps people to relax and increases our chances of understanding each other.
Bring Your Best Game
The Challenge: You want to serve your clients and give them confidence in you. You think a good way to do that is to show that you’re in the know. You’re lacking confidence yourself so you try to borrow some by using insider lingo, name-dropping of industry gurus, and discussing advanced subjects in your field.
The problem is that this can back-fire on you. Your listener may feel excluded – not part of the club. So they go to get help from somebody else they feel more comfortable with.
The Fix: Relax. Keep your mind on your listener and the best way to inform them. This helps you keep your mind off yourself. Be who you are — just the real you. Stay focused on how you can best serve your audience, and try to put yourself in their shoes. That’s what will really keep them engaged.
