Thanksgiving Day 2023 is almost upon us. It is only fitting to review some things for which speakers are grateful.

Speakers, whether they are public speakers, presenters, or individuals who communicate effectively, can be grateful for several aspects of their speaking experiences.

Below are three things for which speakers should be grateful:

Audience Engagement

Speakers should be grateful for an engaged and responsive audience. When listeners are actively participating, asking questions, and showing interest, it creates a positive and dynamic speaking environment.

Also, like a teacher, a speaker’s reward is their audience getting what the speaker is saying. Not only getting it but internalizing it and using it to better their personal and professional lives.

Audience engagement enhances the overall experience for both the speaker and the listeners, making communication more meaningful and effective.

Realize, though, that audience engagement is not a given. Speakers have to plan audience engagement before it can happen.

So, speakers should be grateful for audience engagement. They should also be grateful for opportunities to share their knowledge.

Opportunities to Share Knowledge:

Speaking satisfies a basic human need for self-expression. Speakers have the privilege of sharing their knowledge, expertise, and experiences with others.

Being grateful for the opportunity to educate, inspire, or inform an audience allows speakers to appreciate the value they bring to the table.

Sharing information and insights can contribute to personal and professional growth, both for the speaker and the audience. Sharing this information and insights helps to satisfy the speaker’s need for self-expression.

The best way for speakers to obtain speaking opportunities is through their network. Speakers double their chance of getting a speaking opportunity by being referred to instead of cold calling. Speakers should be grateful for referrals.

So, speakers should be grateful for audience engagement and opportunities to share their knowledge.

They should also be grateful for the feedback they receive, using it to improve their speaking ability constantly.

Feedback and Improvement:

We all want to improve our speaking. Constructive feedback is invaluable for speakers.

Whether positive or negative, feedback provides insights into the effectiveness of their communication and helps them refine their skills.

Speakers should be grateful for the feedback they receive. It offers a pathway for continuous improvement.

Embracing feedback allows speakers to adapt and evolve, ensuring they become more adept and effective communicators.

After each speaking opportunity, speakers should arrange a post-event meeting with the event planner to determine what went right, what they need to improve, and what referrals the event planner can send them.

At this Thanksgiving time, speakers should be grateful for audience engagement, opportunities to share their knowledge, and the feedback they receive using it to improve their speaking ability constantly.

As a speaker, be grateful for your gift of speaking.

There are many people out there that need to hear your message. Find them and impart your wisdom!

Call to Action

• Work diligently to increase audience engagement. It will determine your degree of speaking success.

• Seek opportunities to share your knowledge and insight. Find the problem your ideal audience is facing, determine how to solve it, and present the solution to your ideal audience.

• Seek feedback on your speaking at every opportunity. Arrange a feedback meeting with the event planner after each speaking event.

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.

Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.

Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!

“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”

Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com