Having trouble making an impression at a conference? Nervous about getting your point across? Worried about being misinterpreted or being ignored? Here are a few tips that can change all this:
-Keep your introduction short. Stick to the issue at hand. People are more eager to know more about what you’ll be adding to the conference panel rather than your achievements. Lesser & significant words carry more weight than more & insignificant words.
-Don’t stir away from the issue at heart. Whatever you say, make sure you connect it to the issue being discussed at the panel. This way you’ll sustain attention, and the debate too shall move forward rather than circling around the same things.
-You kept your introduction short so it’s at the debate you can bring their attention to your company. So instead of saying “We do this, we do that” you can say “We At ABC do this We at XYZ “..so here they have a name associated with a belief or ideology.
-Include the audience when you speak. Make eye contact with them. Ask questions ..not just rhetoric, but actually, involve them. Direct your speech to them…Address them not the chairperson who began the conference. It’s the audience who is at the center of the conference.
-Have an energetic body language. The way you sit or stand while talking informs your speech so make sure your spine is straight (it allows for a good flow of energy). There must be some enthusiasm & conviction in your voice. Make sure you’re audible & clear. Business conferences can go on for long with a series of debates lined up, so, if you’ve got to lighten up the mood with some laughs, you may well do so. Be yourself but also try to push the boundaries..that will get people’s attention.
-Practice makes one perfect. And this holds true for anything & everything-even you’re introduction speech. Spend time on writing it. Your first impression can be your last, so this speech is a great opportunity to make the best first impression. Based on the conference theme, you will have a basic idea about who your audience will be, so, write your introduction keeping that in mind and of course keeping in mind the theme.
