How to Develop Rapport After You're Introduced

You've done your homework. You know your audience and what they need. You've prepared and rehearsed. You know your presentation. You're waiting for your introducer to finish the introduction that you've written for her. Now it's action time! It's time to execute strong rapport with your audience and bridge to your presentation. Here are six action steps to do that.

*Step 1: Walk Confidently to the Lectern.*

If you walk too slowly, your audience may assume that you're nervous, anxious, or not excited about speaking to them. If you walk too quickly, your audience may get the impression that you aren't genuine and confident.

So, walk about 25% faster than you usually walk. This pace tells your audience that you're excited to be with them and look forward to starting.

*Step 2: Smile.*

Smile as you walk toward the lectern. A smile signals your audience that you're warm, friendly, and approachable. As author George Eliot said, "Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles."

Smile at your introducer; she'll smile back at you. Smile at your audience; they'll return your smile. Soon, many people are smiling, you're beginning to build rapport, and you haven't said a word yet.

*Step 3: Shake Hands and Wait.*

Keep smiling, look at your introducer, and shake her hand. According to the Business Etiquette for Dummies book, "A firm handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence."

Shaking your introducer's hand reveals to your audience that you're a friendly, confident person. You're deepening rapport, and signaling that you're a confident communicator.

After you shake hands, wait until your introducer returns to her seat before you say anything. If a distraction occurs during the trip back to her seat, it won't affect the opening of your presentation.

*Step 4: Connect with Your Audience.*

Pause while your introducer returns to her seat. Look at individuals in your audience. Smile and send silently positive thoughts to them.

This creates an exchange of positive energy between you and your audience. Create an "air of expectation" for your audience by continuing to pause and make eye contact for a few seconds after your introducer sits down.

*Step 5: Respond to Your Introduction.*

You've scripted the introduction that the introducer just delivered. Now, deliver a planned and rehearsed response to the introduction.

Your response serves as a bridge from the introduction to the opening of your presentation. What you say depends upon several factors -- the occasion, your time limit, the purpose of the presentation, and other factors.

Include an audience greeting. Your greeting can take many forms. It can be rehearsed "small talk" to which your audience can relate. In a business meeting, a simple "Good morning," may suffice. At formal occasions, use established etiquette for recognizing audience dignitaries.

*Step 6: Open with an Attention-getter.*

Your final step is to begin your presentation. An attention-getter shifts your audience's focus from the introduction and your response to the theme of your program. So, open with a question, anecdote, quote, or strong statement that directs attention to your message.

The actions you take in the few seconds following your introduction will determine how your audience perceives you. Walk confidently to the lectern, smile, shake hands with your introducer, connect with your audience, respond to your introduction, and open with an attention-getter.

Steven Wright, the hilarious stand-up comedian quipped, "When I was a kid, we had a quick-sand box in the backyard. I was an only child... eventually."

Eventually, after proper planning and rehearsing, you have to deliver your presentation. When you take the above surefire actions, you'll establish rapport immediately and transition effectively from your introduction to your presentation.

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Allan and Allan are public speaking coaches and trainers, specializing in helping professionals get rid of their speaking fears rapidly and develop effective speaking skills. Be the confident, engaging speaker you were meant to be. You can contact them at nosweatspeaking.com