Not everyone can be a crowd pleaser. If you’re a college student, how many times have you found yourself staring blankly, listening to your monotone professors? Or at the office, the brief meeting turned into an hour-long lecture from your screaming boss. Or worse, the opening act of the event entertainment barely talked into the mic because the bandmates had stage fright!
What is it about engaging the crowd these people don’t get. See, you have to be born with a certain spunk and attitude to get up in front of a crown and really give a show, lecture, or meaningful meeting. Making sure your personality fits well with the theme and audience is the key to successfully engaging a crowd. Here’s some ways to do that:
1. Monkey See, Monkey Do
Typically, at a concert fans want to see their idols interacting with them. At least the people who pay thousands to get front row access (hoping a towel will be thrown their way). Therefore, a tip for new bands who have trouble getting so much as a cough out from their audience, is to use mirroring techniques.
When you walk out on stage try to pump up the crowd. Yell, jump, throw peace signs, everything you can do to drive the crowd insane. Sometimes the crowd will do the same. Also, doing things like clapping along to songs will surely make the fans clap along with you. The key is, if you do it, chances are they will follow. This is because they want to like you, and they want to have fun, too.
2. Create the Illusion of Eye Contact
It is known that making eye contact with your audience will draw them into the performance more. Including people can grab their attention and offer a sense of awareness. If you’re shy and talk quietly in a class lecture, you will concern the students, wondering if you’re even a real professor. This can be distracting for the audience and embarrassing for the speaker.
Therefore, create the illusion of direct eye contact. This technique is when the speaker or performer pretends to look at the audience. To achieve this, look between the eyes, the eyebrows, or focus on the back wall of the venue. In doing so, you will create a connection the audience craves, while also not losing your train of thought when speaking or performing.
3. Add Talking Points
In between songs during a show, there are sometimes no music to carry out the awkward silence. Therefore, try to add talking point with your audience. Asking small things, like “How y’all feeling tonight?!” or stating, “You guys are amazing!” will lighten up the mood and keep your crowd hyped.
Similar actions can be made in a classroom lecture. Asking your students if they have any questions in the middle and also end of a lecture can help engage your students. This can open discussions and possibly answer questions other students have.
4. Build Up the Energy
The final tip in engaging your audience is building up the energy. The energy I’m referring to is of the event entertainer. For instance, rock stars don’t go all out on the first song and then become out of breath on the next. They control themselves and build up the energy for the end of the show, the big finale. By following this tip, you can ensure that your audience will be pulled in and anticipating the ending.
So, whether you’re new to the stage life or classroom, be sure to engage your audience when speaking or performing. And remember: the show must go on!
Breezin’ Entertainment & Productions offers premier service that is sure to both relieve the stress of the event planning process and guarantee that the entertainment that is provided exceeds all expectations. To book your next event contact a Breezin’ representative at 813-463-2272 today or visit https://breezin.com/