How to engage your audience BEFORE you meet them – and create raving fans!
It’s Wake Up Wednesday! Your weekly dose of business green juice, and where I reveal insider techniques to help you go from best kept secret to sought-after thought leader.
Today, we’re talking about the big E – engagement.
When you’re running a talk, event or workshop, it’s critical that you deeply connect with your audience on a personal level.
If you try to just “wing” a talk or workshop for a room full of people you’ve never met, chances are, they won’t exactly be raring to go. (And you’re going to have a lot of awkward silences along the way. Eep.)
That’s why you want to get to know your people before you get started.
Helping your listeners, viewers, and participants feel like you’re truly there to help THEM is the best way to get people excited, and totally tuned in to what you’ve got going on.
So. How do you guarantee your audience will want to cuddle up and engage with you from the very first moment you walk through that door?
A little research!
There are 8 things you MUST know about your audience to prepare deep insights and content that will prove you really “get” them.
Ready? Here are the questions:
- What are your audience members like?
- Why are they looking to you for help?
- What keeps them up at night?
- How can you solve their problems?
- What do you want them to do?
- How might they resist what you are sharing?
- How can you best reach them?
- What are the pressures they are under?
And now you’re probably wondering:
“Cool list, Jey… but how do I do this without even meeting these people?”
That’s why, before an event, you’ve got to get playful and creative by doing some research online.
Here are a few ways to play detective and dive deep into your audience’s needs:
IDEA #1: Scour social media!
Google the people who are coming. Look them up on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Nowadays, events usually have invites on social media. Click around and see if you can figure out where your peeps are coming from, and what’s on their mind. What are their fears? What keeps them up at night?
IDEA #2: Doing a presentation for a company? Check the web for places they may have popped up.
Do a google search for press releases, or mentions. Review their annual report. And be sure to set up google alerts for the company or event, so you don’t miss a thing!
When you take the time to familiarize yourself with their challenges and concerns, you turbocharge your content (and connection with your people).
Knowing your audience will help you to be more natural and conversational with them when you meet. Really knowing them also puts you in a place of incredible influence and inspiration.
The strongest engagement is created by sharing insights that resonate with them and telling personal stories that will allow them to get to know you, like you and trust you.
Hot tip: Your audience will be able to tell when you are making up stuff instead of being authentic. So remember to speak sincerely! It’s what convinces people to listen to your message and contribute to the success of your idea.
It’s simple math: A little research {and some healthy stalking} before you meet them + vulnerable honesty when you finally connect = powerful engagement that result in true lasting fans.
Connection truly is everything! So let’s practice right now…
Venture into a Facebook group you’re a part of, and see if you can answer 3 of the questions provided in the video.
After that, come join us in the Wake Up Wednesday Facebook Group and tell us what you discovered! It’s a magical place of connection and love in there, so be sure to drop in and share – or just send a few e-hugs!
Want more coaching tips and resources? Enter your name and email below to receive Wake Up Wednesday straight to your inbox. My weekly dose of love also includes {almost weekly} gifts in the form of downloadables, detailed resources and personal success secrets.
Love this content? Get weekly in-the-know solutions and stay connected with Jey
Join 1,000s of women expanding their light around the world.
You are the cutest! This was SO helpful.
Hey Stephanie,
Thanks love! Would love to see you speaking, sharing and shining more sister!
Jey