Karen’s after-lunch 1/2 day speaker training workshop

The group enters the seminar room to participate in my afternoon 4-hour (!) speaker training workshop after dining on a buffet lunch of salad, fried chicken fingers nestled on waffles with syrup, barbeque/honey meat loaf, mac ‘n cheese + brownies.

Did I mention it’s Friday afternoon and they’ve been at this association’s seminar for several days?

You might think, “THIS is NOT perfect timing!” And, you’d be correct.

Your speech timing options (if you get to make that call) include: beginning of the day, mid-morning, during lunch, after lunch,  late in the day, or after dinner.

Each time slot has pros/cons.

• You might get most to attend at the start of the day, but they will straggle in or be distracted by their flood of morning emails.
• You’ll never compete with chocolate. (It will always win!) So speaking during a meal has its challenges.
• You fight with post-food and/or happy hour fatigue if you speak after lunch or dinner.

Why the timing of your speech matters?

➜ You can anticipate your crowd’s energy level and plan accordingly.

Why the timing of your speech does NOT matter?

➜ You need to be “ON” no matter when you grab the mic.

➜ You may not have a choice of when you speak.

If you want to know more about how to strategize your presentation with regard to your audience’s energy/fatigue level, or how to be “ON” as a speaker – you can find out more in my two books on communication skills.

⏰ So, when is the best time of day/evening to give a presentation?

➜ Mid-morning. Your listeners’ caffeine injections have kicked in and there are no food distractions.

Speaking of food, in spite of the waffles/chicken fingers, meatloaf, mac ‘n cheese and brownies digested by my workshop attendees – I had them standing up and doing lots of activities. All good.

#communication   #KarenCortellReisman   #SpeakForYourself   #OptimalPresentationTime