Have you seen a 3-D movie recently? Did you see Avitar? When my wife and I lined up to buy our Avitar tickets we heard the murmur that the film at that theater was in 2-D, not 3-D. We waited till the next night and saw it in 3-D, three dimensional. Wise choice! When you see a two-dimensional movie you are aware that something is happening on the screen. So you watch it. In a three dimensional movie, you “duck” or shield yourself from objects which appear to be coming off the screen. Or you are intrigued as they come to touch you in a positive way.
So it is with communication…
I’ve been asking the questions recently in my seminars, “Have you seen any 2-D presentations recently?” I see a lot of heads nodding YES. Someone even said, “We have some 1-D presentations around here!” Those must be really bad. The principle is the same as watching a movie – you either participate in it and feel connected to it…Or you simply watch it. If you want to be a better communicator, you must connect better. Do you want to engage the audience? You must be engaging. Want to excite them? You must be exciting. Want them to feel that you are confident? Then you must look, act, and sound confident!!
You’ve got to connect!
Start with your mindset and attitude… I read an interview with a famous comedian talking about how he prepares for an appearance. He spends only a brief time on reviewing the jokes. Most of his preparation time is spent thinking – How can I get the audience and keep them? In other words, how can I connect? It should be the same in your business communications. Turn your mind outward to the audience – not inward toward yourself.
The reality is about how the pudding tastes!
There is an old saying about pudding: the proof of the pudding is in the eating! Not in the ingredients or the process of cooking. If I tell you about my pudding – eight eggs, cooked at a low boil, stirred for 12 minutes. You will soon stop me and ask to taste the pudding! The critical element in communication is HOW THE AUDIENCE PERCEIVES your message. So ask yourself, What kind of perception do I want to create? What do I want them to do? Buy my product? Adopt my proposal? Follow my direction? Invite me back for a second meeting?
Prepare, think about, pay attention to, and connect with your audience. Make them feel like they have been to a 3-D movie!
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