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The Undeniable Importance of Feedback for Speakers

The most powerful thing a speaker can do to connect with their audience is to ask for feedback. It shows you value the audience's opinion. Recently, I posted a video blog with 3 keys to giving effective feedback. But why is feedback so darned important to speakers?

Feedback Leads to Improvement

The only way to grow as a speaker is to get feedback. At Toastmasters, we often say that “evaluation is at the heart of Toastmasters”. Knowing what your strengths are as a speaker as well as the areas where there is room for growth is key for development as a presenter. Build on your strengths and improve upon those weakness. Feedback will lead to speaking success!

Continually Ask for Evaluations

Whenever you present get evaluated. There is the immediate feedback that the audience gives you while your speaking. After you finished your presentation, sit down and reflect. When was the audience most engaged? When were they wishing they were somewhere else? In addition to that immediate feedback, ask the audience for written comments. What about your message impacted them the most? What areas could you improve on?

Sift through the Feedback

If you are always asking for feedback, you are going to get a lot of it! Not all of it is created equally. I was once told that for a speech I was doing on Hawaii that I should wear a coconut bra and grass skirt – creative – but not going to happen! When you get a lot of feedback on a speech, you need to sort through and see what works for you. If someone has a suggestion for a joke, why not try it out the next time you give the speech. Push yourself try new ideas you get from feedback in your presentation. Lose the ideas that don't work for you as a speaker.

Don't Underestimate the Power of Video

My arch nemesis – the video camera! 99% of people hate watching themselves on video and the other 1% are narcissists. I kid! One of the most effective ways to improve a presentation is to put yourself in the place of the audience. Watch yourself on video. Look for the strengths and the challenges of your delivery and message. You know best what you need to improve upon. Video yourself – watch – evaluate and repeat. You'll be amazed at how much you improve.

My final thought on feedback is to remember feedback is subjective. Taste will vary wildly. Remember, feedback is never personal and is aimed at helping you grow as a speaker.

What was the most helpful piece of feedback you ever received on presentation? Or what was the funniest piece of feedback you ever heard? Love to interact with you in the comment section below.

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11 responses to “The Undeniable Importance of Feedback for Speakers”

  1. Jackie Bailey says:

    Best feedback I ever received was that I spoke above the audience. I was trying so hard to prove I could speak well, that I lost connection with my audience. I wanted to impress them with my big words and professionalism, but I didn’t speak at a level the audience could understand.
    It was very powerful for me! It doesn’t matter how important your message is if they don’t understand what you’re saying.

    • Michelle says:

      Jackie that is a very powerful lesson. When we focus too much on ourselves, we loose the connection. Really, the connection is what makes speaking fun and enjoyable.

  2. Lisa Braithwaite says:

    Twice I’ve had audience members comment on the way I’ve recovered from a mistake.

    One said that it humanized me, and it made public speaking seem attainable to her. She said, “Watching you made me feel like I could do it.”

    The other one pointed out that it wasn’t such a big deal to make a mistake in a presentation, as long as you pick up the ball and keep going.

    Each time it really made my day. I’m human and I make mistakes like everyone else, and if my clients and audiences can learn from that, well, I’m doing my job!

    • Michelle says:

      Hi Lisa! I really do agree that our mistakes and slips-ups really do humanize us for our audience. Presenting is hard work and no one is perfect at it. Showing that even an “expert” makes mistakes gets you audience to have the “I can do this” response. I think that is wonderful.

      Thank you for sharing. I hope you are doing well, Lisa!

  3. Michelle Cubas says:

    Best feedback I rec’d was to pause & let audience process nuggets. MC

    • Michelle says:

      Michelle, I agree that is so important. We have to let our audience’s brains catch up with our words. Giving them time to process is so important. Thank you for sharing!

  4. Scott Danielson says:

    I was told to slow down when I speak. Of course I thought this would hamper my energy and make my presentation less interesting.

    The audience disagreed. Instead, they said my presentation was easier to follow and remember when I slowed my speaking pace.

    In regards to video, it’s important to highlight what you did well or what got positive reactions. Many speakers, even experienced ones, are exceptionally hard on themselves.

    • Michelle says:

      Scott – as one of those speakers who can be hard on myself – I agree. Watching a video in absolute isolation can lead to a lot of negative self-talk. You have to focus on the audience reaction and what they said in their feedback. It is so key!

  5. Ase says:

    how can i covert Public (Non-verbal) response into a Good Sp-each

    • Michelle Mazur says:

      I’m not sure I understand the question. Feel free to email me and provide more detail. Maybe I can help you out.

  6. The NEAR method for Audience Engagement says:

    […] feedback After you finish speaking, ask your audience for feedback. It’s the best way for you to improve as a speaker. Find out what the audience took away? Did it align with your goals for them? What did […]

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