How to Read Your Audience When Giving a Technical Presentation

If you’re an engineer, a scientist or some other type of technical professional, it’s common to be asked to speak to business decision makers. As you prepare, it’s likely you’ll spend most of your time thinking about what you’re going to say and how your slides are going to look. Be sure to also give some thought to who will be in your audience. And during your presentation, take time to look for non-verbal cues from your audience to ensure your information is being understood.

As a technical expert, of course, you’re excited about the technical aspects of your topic. You want people to understand all the work behind them. You want them to recognize how innovative this work is — to appreciate the technology.

But how often do we think about our audience before we present — Who’s in the audience? What do they already know about the topic? How will we know if they understand us as we talk? How will we know if we’re boring them?

For the most part, business audiences will be less impressed with the details and more impressed with how this idea will help them.

My brother is an electrical engineer working in telcom. We once talked about the inner workings of a cell phone and the towers and satellites we rely on to move the signals around the world. He laughed when I told him, I didn’t really care “how” the phone worked, just that it fit in my pocket and wasn’t affected too much when I accidentally dropped it. He said I sounded like the marketing people in his company. He was frustrated that I wasn’t mesmerized by the technology inside my device.

Business audiences want to know how your technology will help them. They want to know in plain language how it will save them money or time … how it will reduce risk or improve their lives or businesses. They want to know the value.

 

Who is in the audience for your presentation?

That’s why one of the first things to consider when you’re preparing for a presentation is your audience.

• Do they share your technical background?
• What is their knowledge level?
• Is it a mixture of technical and business professionals?
• Why are they interested in the technology you’re showing them?
• What related problems are they trying to solve?

Harry T. Roman for IEEE.org reminds: “You are there to clearly and concisely communicate important information — not show off and use big words.” “To the extent you can, draw parallels to their interests, professions or experiences.”

 

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What is your audience’s body language telling you?

As you move through your presentation, look at your audience. Watch for signs of boredom, understanding, agreement or disagreement. Some examples:

• Is your audience smiling, slowly nodding their heads or making eye contact? This signals that your audience understands and agrees.
• Hands clasped together or stroking the chins usually indicates their brains are engaged and they are considering what you’re saying, according to speakerhubhq.
• Blank faces indicate neutrality, which is not necessarily a bad thing, and might simply mean they’re absorbing what you’re saying.
• Frowns, furrowed brows or one raised eyebrow can signal confusion, and might mean you should back up and explain something another way.
•  Toe tapping, quick head nods or crossing and uncrossing their legs can indicate impatience. They got your point, so move along before they get bored.
• Boredom is fairly easy to spot as your audience slumps in their chairs, crosses their arms, fidgets or gets vacant looks.
• They might also look suspicious, which is signaled by crossed arms and no eye contact.

 

Rather than plunging forward with your presentation oblivious to your audience, it’s important to notice your them and act on these non-verbal cues. Back track, offer supporting evidence, speed up or slow down as you need to.

As you prepare for your next presentation, carefully consider who will be in your audience. Then practice your presentation in advance so you’ll be able to give your attention to them as you talk, enabling you to react or change pace as you proceed.

Related article: 7 Ways to Talk Technical with Non-Techie People

 

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