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Brain Rules Public Speaking

Maintain Audience Attention

Jason Teteak

You have to show your audience that in order to get the information they’ve come to hear, they have to listen to you.

This advice seems deceptively obvious...

Read more

You have to show your audience that in order to get the information they’ve come to hear, they have to listen to you.

This advice seems deceptively obvious...

... I tell it to people who’ve come to me for presentation advice and they nod in agreement, as if to say, “Got it.”

But they haven’t. How do I know?

Because the following example is somewhat typical:

Sitting in the audience while observing a client during her presentation, I noticed although people were pretending to look at the presenter, most of the time they were using their open laptops to go shopping and check email. Afterward, I asked if she realized they weren’t listening.

“But they were,” she protested. “They were looking at me.”

“People can seem to be looking at you but not be listening. I mastered that skill in high school,” I said. “Let me ask you something: Do you enjoy being a presenter?”

“I love it,” she said.

“Are you bored while you present?” I asked.

“Not at all. It’s stimulating because I’m active all the time.”

“Which do you prefer? Presenting or listening.”

“Presenting,” she said. “I hate sitting passively while someone drones on—” As the shock of recognition passed across her face, she cut herself off, “Do you think that’s how my audience feels?”

Yes.

I suggested a challenge...

Find a way to keep the listeners in the audience as stimulated and engaged as you are as a presenter.

In his book Brain Rules, John Medina cites research that suggests after about ten minutes of listening to a particular topic, people’s minds wander.

No presentation can be a success if you can’t get and keep your audience’s attention, but you may have searched in vain for a method.

Here are three keys to the solution that we cover in this course:

Module 1: Ask the Right Questions

One of the best ways to keep your audience engaged is to ask the right types of questions.

To understand why, you first have to understand something about the human brain.

It is made up of two parts that operate independently...

...each controls a different mode of thinking.

Excellent communicators know how to ask questions that work both sides of the brain...

...this spurs the neurons to fire constantly, which keeps people attentive.

When a speaker is boring, the only neurons in the room that are firing are the speaker’s.

We'll show you how to use questioning techniques to stimulate both sides.

Module 2: Address Every Learning Style

If your audience is learning, you have their attention.

Seems simple enough...

The problem is that to present your content so you get the attention of everyone in the audience, you have to make sure you address each of the four learning styles.

  1. Step Learners

  2. Talk Learners

  3. Research Learners

  4. Create Learners

We'll show you how to do that with a technique that not only targets all four styles, but can be used at..

...it's VERY cool.

Module 3: Give Targeted Directionals

Yet another way to keep the attention of your audience is with a targeted directional...

...this is a short and sweet method that pays big dividends.

Whenever you want to get your audience’s attention, request that they do one of the following, depending, of course, on what items...

...handouts, monitors, slides, and so on—you are working with.

The actual words you use are somewhat important...

But...

The tone of voice you use is a make or break.

You want to sound confident, but not overbearing, so they’ll take action.

Brain Rules Course Reviews:

“Jason’s advice is practical, straightforward, and incredibly helpful for anyone looking to greatly improve his or her presentation skills.”

Ryan Anderson Director of Instructional Design and Development

“Combining years of personal experience as well as knowledge in psychology and sociology, Jason delivered clear advice and practical exercises that turned me into a better oral communicator.”

Kyle Reger Software Developer

“It’s a challenge to change your mind and adopt new methods of teaching overnight, but this class helped me immediately improve my classes and my confidence as a trainer. Understanding how to ask questions effectively helps create a very lively atmosphere that makes class more interesting and fun for both the trainees and the trainers. Your class provided me with the easy-to-use formulas that I needed to make that happen. Understanding learning styles also made a huge impact on the way I teach. By prepping class to satisfy all learning styles, I saw an immediate gain in the satisfaction of the class and the trainees’ understanding of the material. It was challenging at some points to make that happen, but after integrating the concepts into some of my lesson plans it made me realize how powerful addressing learning styles really is.”

Mark Phelan - Corporate Trainer

Like I said, this course pays big dividends...

...and we'll show you how to do it properly to get them the same results.

See you on the inside.

About Your Instructor

International Public Speaking Coach, TEDx Speaker and Best Selling author Jason Teteak has taught more than one million people how to flawlessly command attention and connect with audiences in their unique style.

He’s won praise and a wide following for his original methods, his engaging style, and his knack for transferring communications skills via practical, simple, universal and immediately actionable techniques.

Or as he puts it “No theoretical fluff”.

Jason gained recognition at EPIC Systems in the medical software industry, where he was known as “trainer of trainers of trainers.”

He has developed more than fifty presentation and communication training programs ranging in length from one hour to three days that serve as the basis for The Rule the Room Method.

In 2014-2020 he was named #1 Best Selling coach on Public Speaking for his on-demand video teaching tools that quickly took off for over

Teteak has flipped the model and changed the approach to great Public Speaking for even the most seasoned veterans.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Top questions you can use right away that get and keep attention: plus commonly misused type of questions (and how to properly execute it to perfection)
  • How to get your audience to do what you want (whenever you ask them to do it) & techniques to show enthusiasm about a topic, even if you don’t want to be there
  • An “active questions” technique you can use to compel people to respond to your questions that works almost every time
  • Use the “agree and see if you’re right” technique to address every learning style…
  • The top 2 reasons why some audience members aren’t following along with you, and how to make sure they start
  • Why information is not instruction, and how to make sure you aren’t just an information resource
  • The #1 questioning technique that every presenter must know to keep audiences engaged and understanding, and exactly how to execute it
  • Easily engage your audience and stay on topic so their minds never wander
  • …and much, much more!

Syllabus

Introduction

You have to show your audience that in order to get the information they’ve come to hear, they have to listen to you. This advice seems deceptively obvious. I tell it to people who’ve come to me for presentation advice and they nod in agreement, as if to say, “Got it.” But they haven’t.

Read more
One of the best ways to keep your audience engaged is to ask the right types of questions.

Ask recall questions to help people remember what you have taught them

“Do you remember the number one reason why audiences are hooked?” When I ask this question in a presentation, or on the page, I engage you. Whether you respond in your mind or aloud, you answer the question, and presto! I have your attention again. Why? Because when I asked you to remember, the left side of your brain was forced to work. That’s powerful.

Ask leading questions to help the audience understand what you’re saying

In Bloom’s Taxonomy, a classification of learning objectives, synthesis is defined as “Compiling information in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.”

A question that inspires synthesis accesses the right side of the brain.

Ask relevance questions so the audience can apply what you’re presenting

When an audience isn’t hearing anything that seems useful, they become bored, stop paying attention, and think why bother?

People will stay attentive if they are getting something valuable from the presentation. One of the most powerful ways to keep your audience listening is to ask questions that help them see what you’re telling them is immediately relevant to their lives.

An expertise question is a question only certain members of the audience will have the knowledge to answer. Asking such questions acknowledges the depth of their knowledge and gives you credibility points for being aware of it.

Expertise questions also serve to get the attention not only of the experts (who will be thinking about the answers) but also the remainder of the audience (who for a change will be hearing from people other than you).

To present your content so you get the attention of everyone in the audience, you have to make sure you address each of the four learning styles.

If your audience is learning, you have their attention. To present your content so you get the attention of everyone in the audience, you have to make sure you address each of the four learning styles: Step Learners, Talk Learners, Research Learners, and Create Learners.

This learning style model applies to all adults. Everyone can learn in all four styles, but not equally well. Each of the four learning styles is the predominant learning style of approximately one- fourth of the population, and everyone has a secondary learning style as well.

You don’t want to sound as if you’re barking directions. When you give the directional, lower your volume slightly and raise your pitch slightly, and then bring down your pitch on the last word.

Yet another way to keep the attention of your audience is with a targeted directional. This is a short and sweet method that pays big dividends.

Whenever you want to get your audience’s attention, request that they do one of the following, depending, of course, on what items—handouts, monitors, slides, and so on—you are working with.

You want to sound confident, but not overbearing, so they’ll take action. You’ll have no trouble getting them to comply if you do it properly.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Brain Rules Public Speaking: Maintain Audience Attention with these activities:
Review a book on public speaking
Reinforce concepts covered in the course and improve your understanding of public speaking techniques.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key points.
  • Take notes on the author's main arguments.
  • Summarize the book in your own words.
Participate in online tutorials on public speaking
Enhance your skills by practicing techniques demonstrated in tutorials.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on public speaking.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
  • Practice the techniques demonstrated in the tutorials.
Engage in peer practice sessions
Improve your delivery and receive constructive feedback from peers.
Show steps
  • Find a study partner or group.
  • Take turns practicing your presentations.
  • Give each other feedback on delivery, content, and body language.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a public speaking workshop
Deepen your understanding and refine your skills through expert guidance.
Show steps
  • Research and find a public speaking workshop that aligns with your goals.
  • Register and attend the workshop.
  • Actively participate in the exercises and discussions.
Practice delivering speeches
Enhance your confidence and fluency through regular practice.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic and prepare a speech.
  • Practice delivering the speech in front of a mirror or with a friend.
  • Record yourself delivering the speech and review it for areas of improvement.
Create a presentation on a topic of your choice
Apply your skills and knowledge to a practical project that showcases your learning.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you are passionate about or that aligns with your career goals.
  • Research the topic thoroughly.
  • Organize your thoughts and create an outline for your presentation.
  • Design and develop your presentation slides.
  • Practice delivering your presentation and get feedback from others.
Participate in a public speaking competition
Challenge yourself, gain valuable experience, and showcase your skills in a competitive setting.
Show steps
  • Find and register for a public speaking competition that aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Prepare and practice your speech thoroughly.
  • Attend the competition and deliver your speech.
  • Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Brain Rules Public Speaking: Maintain Audience Attention will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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