It is important to find out as much as you can about the audience before you take the stage. Two reasons:

  • Most importantly: you need to adjust your message to fit your audience. For example, let’s say you have lots of people in your audience that are working in a hospital. You could then adjust your storyline and examples to them.
  • The more you know about the people organizing the event you’re at, the venue, details behind the event, the easier it is to find someone to talk with and start a conversation. This again can help you to adjust your talk.
  • If time allows, talk to as many of the people that are in the audience before your presentation. Anyone you talked with before will be more open and receptive to your message.

Thanks Duco, for this tip.