A good speaker carefully monitors the audience, listens and adapts to its needs during his speech. He does not have to master telepathy to know what the audience thinks and how it feels. The ability to carefully observe surroundings and experience gained from practice are enough.
For those who do not have so much experience with public speaking, Trainingmag.com brought an overview of both verbal and non-verbal expressions of the audience along with tips on how to get its attention.
Interested audience nods, smiles, leans towards you, makes notes, maintains eye contact, looks focused, laughs at your jokes and stories and asks relevant questions.
Uninterested audience closes eyes, nods off, yawns, moves away, fidgets, does not look into your eyes, plays with telephones, doodles, talks to neighbours, checks watches, crosses the arms, asks hostile questions or even leaves.
To regain the attention of your audience, try the following steps:
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Come closer to the audience.
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Speak a little louder.
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Show more enthusiasm for your speech.
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Add more questions.
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Emphasize the main points of your message.
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Relax yourself more.
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Involve the audience into a group activity.
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Add a relevant personal story or joke.
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Ask for examples of best practices in your context.
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Ask if they are interested in what you say.
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