​What should you do if people don’t like your talk?

I remember being angry while attending a conference about 10 years ago.

This was a tech conference, so there were the usual software demos, technical speakers, and panel discussions on the latest and greatest in code techniques, databases, and programming interfaces.

Exciting stuff, I know, although not typically the kind of content that will rile you up.

Back then, I fully drank the Microsoft Kool-Aid because I had started as a web programmer in the early 2000s using Microsoft technologies and was fully invested with them in my time, experience, and money. (Now I’m totally an Apple evangelist after switching to a Mac a few years later, and I no longer code, but that’s a story for another time.)

As I was listening to some of the presenters talk about the advantages of open source software and communities (in other words, the complete antithesis of Microsoft), I mostly tuned them out.

I admit, though, that I also got a little bit angry at their blatant Microsoft-bashing.

And then I realized that they weren’t talking to me. Not me personally, but people like me who were in the Microsoft camp.

They were talking to others like them. They were preaching to the open source choir, to reinforce their shared values and goals, to remind them why they were part of the same tribe.

I didn’t like their talk, but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t supposed to.

3 Things to Consider If People Don’t Like Your Presentation

After you do a speaking engagement, if you get the sense that people didn’t like your talk, here are a few things to consider.

1. Are you sure people didn’t like it, or are you being too hard on yourself?

Many of us, myself included, will remember the smallest missteps, when no one else even noticed. Most people in the audience are looking and listening for the big picture, not nitpicking on a single word you may have tripped over or a point you forgot to make.

If people race to the exits and don’t stop to chat with you afterwards, ask the event organizer for some honest, constructive feedback.

You may need to do more preparation, or you may just have had an off day.

2. Did you speak to the right group of people for your message?

In my free mini-course, I talk about about being strategic with your speaking and knowing who your target audience is.

If your ideal clients are women with young children and your presentation is about health and wellness for busy moms, but you go to an event where the audience is largely made up of men in their 50s and 60s, you’re most likely not going to get the outcomes you want.

Be sure you’re speaking to those who most need what you offer.

Not everyone in the audience has to be your perfect customer (as I wasn’t for some of the presenters at the tech conference I described above), but at least some of them should be, so that you’re using your time and effort wisely.

3. You can’t – and shouldn’t – be all things to all people.

As you sharpen your message, develop your voice, and gain more confidence, you will naturally attract the people who are most interested in what you do and the unique way you do it.

At the same time, there will be others who don’t like and may even be repelled by your approach, your persona, or your content. That’s a good thing.

Don’t dilute your message or your brand to try to please everyone. You don’t want to be an interchangeable, easily replaceable commodity.

Cultivate the people who do gravitate towards you and give them more of you.

Curious to find out what your best strengths and talents are? I love Sally Hogshead’s “How the World Sees You” Fascination Advantage. You can take the free assessment at http://howtofascinate.com/get-my-profile.

Send an email to carol@speakingyourbrand.com and let me know what your archetype is (and I’ll tell you mine!).

Worth Reading

I just finished reading The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level and it has reframed how I think about the work I do day to day.

The author talks about taking the big leap to work in your Zone of Genius, which is where you’ll find the most fulfillment and joy, and being careful not to stay stuck in your Zone of Excellence or Zone of Competence (which is so easy to do and where I know I spend too much of my time).

Worth Watching

Last week, the White House put on the United State of Women Summit on key issues affecting gender equality. You can watch the entire summit at http://www.theunitedstateofwomen.org/watchsummit/.

One of my favorite parts was when President Obama opened his remarks with “This is what a feminist looks like.” Yes!

Upcoming Events

If you’re in Central Florida, I’m facilitating an action-packed half-day workshop on July 14 at weVenture Rockledge (Brevard County) on Creating Your Signature Talk. You’ll learn how to structure your presentation, use the hero’s journey to connect with your audience, create your story bank, and persuade your audience to action. Details and registration here.

Also, stay tuned for a free webinar I’ll be offering soon (sign up for my email newsletter below so you’ll be the first to know).