Questions to Ask Yourself About YOUR Audience

Analyze Your Audience BEFORE You Arrive

  1. Why is this group assembled on this occasion?

  2. Why has the group invited you, or why have you called the meeting?

  3. Will they attend by choice or by obligation?

  4. If you are not the only speaker, are you the keynote speaker, the main speaker, a panel member, or one of many speakers?

  5. Will you be presented as an honored guest, a reputable authority, or a trustworthy colleague? Are you a stranger, about whom the audience has no preconceptions, or are you mildly disliked or distrusted, a member of the opposition? In other words, what preconceived notions, if any, might your audience have about you?

  6. How much time do you have to make your presentation?

  7. How much time do you have to prepare you presentation?

  8. Will the audience have just eaten, be waiting to eat, be ready to adjourn? Have they had cocktails, been working all day? What other factors might affect their attention level?

  9. How will the audience be dressed? What is the general tone of the meeting?

  10. Is the seating arrangement classroom, auditorium, restaurant, banquet, conference table, or some other?

  11. What is the composition of the group? Include here whether they are male, female, or both; have high school, college, or postgraduate educations; are lower, middle or upper management.

  12. What is their income average and life-style?

  13. Who are the key members of the audience?

  14. If the topic has been left up to you, have any suggestions been made or implied?

  15. Who has spoken to this group previously in similar situations? With what results and reactions from the group?

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