THE BACK STORY Have you ever attended a talk with high hopes - only to find yourself drifting off, checking your phone or counting the seconds until it’s over? You’re not alone.
We’ve all been there - excited to learn or be inspired. But then we find a speaker who’s flat, boring or confusing.
It’s frustrating when a talk doesn’t live up to expectations.
But why does this happen? The truth is - some speakers just don’t know how to connect.
- Instead of sparking curiosity or delivering a memorable message - they fumble, ramble or drown you in details you don’t need.
ROBOTS ON STAGE
Gina’s talk is putting everyone to sleep.
- The body language is stiff
- Expression is missing from her face
- The voice is flat and monotone
It feels like she’s reading a script - instead of talking to real people.
- Before: Her delivery is robotic - and her lack of energy makes the audience tune out.
- After: She loosens up. She uses natural gestures, varies her tone and speaks like she’s having a real conversation. Now, people are paying attention.
JARGON JUMBLE
Andy uses complex jargon and stumbles over his own words. The audience is confused and frustrated - feeling like they need a dictionary to understand.
- Before: His language is overly technical and unclear - leaving everyone lost and disengaged.
- After: He switches to plain, everyday language. He explains complex terms simply - making it easy for everyone to follow and stay engaged.
NOTE-OBSESSION
Mia keeps glancing at her notes - losing her place and breaking the flow. The audience senses she’s not fully prepared or confident.
- Before: She is overly dependent on her notes - and her lack of confidence makes the audience lose interest.
- After: She practices more - and becomes familiar with her material. She speaks confidently without constantly looking at her notes - keeping the audience engaged.
EYE CONTACT FAIL
Sam avoids eye contact with the audience or the camera - making everyone feel disconnected and unimportant.
- Before: His lack of eye contact makes it seem like he’s talking to himself - not the audience.
- After: He maintains eye contact with the audience or the camera - creating a sense of connection and making everyone feel included.
EGO OVERLOAD
Janet spends more time bragging about her achievements than focusing on the audience. The talk feels like a self-promotion campaign.
- Before: Her self-centered approach turns off the audience. They feel there’s no real value being offered.
- After: She shifts her focus to the audience - sharing insights and stories that matter to them. This creates genuine engagement.
POINTLESS RAMBLING
Ted takes forever to make a point - losing everyone’s attention in the process. He adds unnecessary details that don’t support the main message.
- Before: His rambling wastes time and makes the audience lose interest.
- After: He gets straight to the point - making sure every piece of information supports his main message. This keeps the audience engaged.
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Why waste time on speakers who feel fake, full of themselves or just don’t seem to care?
- It’s the real connection and value that make a talk worth your time.
- Speakers who genuinely engage and offer something meaningful make all the difference. If they’re not bringing that - it’s time to look elsewhere.
Remember: Make your choices count. Choose speakers who connect and inspire.
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