Upper Marlboro, MD –-(Ammoland.com)- On May 30, 2013, I will speaking as a member of a panel talking about “Black America’s Second Amendment” for the “Thursday Network’s, Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals’ Auxiliary. It’s open to the public so I hope you will check it out.
This is a norm for me lately after twenty years of speaking to untraditional audiences, sharing my perspective and insight as the Black Man With A Gun. I thought I’d share one of my best speaking tips with you.
You’ve probably heard the importance of knowing your audience in speaking. I want to expand on that. Biblically, the word “to know” implies intimacy. To be intimate with someone you have to know their secret desires. You won’t learn some ones’ intimate desires unless you listen.
“The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.” -Bob Dylan
Before I speak to an audience, I try to arrive early enough to listen to the discussions, questions and concerns of that group. If you put yourself in your audience’s place, some have traveled great distances, taken off work, sacrificed something to hear an uplifting, motivating or insightful message from some outside source. They have questions that sometimes don’t pertain to the subject matter you were asked to speak on, but if you can include it in your presentation you will not only have an active, grateful listener but possibly a future advocate.
There are a lot of talking heads today. There are a lot of people trying to get on camera, and in front of audiences. The good ones are talking to the audience and not at them. Your audience is smart and has a choice. If you can’t get there early enough to talk with your audience, see if you can get a gist of the people that will be presenting questions against you. People rarely change and quote the same statistics or just poor data. You can also see if the host can provide you with a list of questions that will be asked so that you can be prepared.
“Give the people what they want.” – Ojays
Communication is an awesome skill. It means that you exchange ideas. You can learn much about your audience, your community and even your mate if you listen more than you talk. I know it is a cliché but you do have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately to listen twice as much as you talk. And when you finally talk, say something that matters.
Rev. Kenn Blanchard is a professional speaker, gun rights activist and producer of The Urban Shooter Podcast (https://urbanshooterpodcast.com ). He blogs at kennblanchard.com
“Holla” 1-888-675-0202
www.kennblanchard.com
About:
Kenn Blanchard is a contributer to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and Producer of the Urban Shooter pod cast. In addition Kenn Blanchard is a pro-gun media producer & marketing profesional that helps small businesses by providing information, entertainment , inspiration and support to the sport shooting community through blogs, voice -over, podcasting and professional speaking. Visit: www.kennblanchard.com