"They hear and they forget.
They see and they remember.
They do and they learn."

Involving your audience is one of the easiest and smartest things you can do as a speaker to make your presentation a success.

An old proverb says,

"They hear and they forget.
(That's the typical speaker.)

They see and they remember.
(A speaker who uses good visual aids.)

They do and they learn."
( A speaker who uses audience involvement and participation.)
I can tell you about juggling, but unless you actually juggle, you'll never learn the skill.

Why involve the audience?

• People are more likely to be supportive if they feel they are part of the process. It increases their interest and attention.
• It helps sell your message.
• It develops rapport with the audience.

Caution - don't let individual members of the audience take over your presentation. Never hand them the microphone.

Audience Involvement Techniques

• Use the names of a few people in your audience. If you aren't familiar with the group, arrive early and get to know them. When people hear their names, they perk up.
• Use your hands to motion to the audience that it's their turn to participate. If you just stand there with your hands at your side, they aren't likely to join in.
• I like to reward participation with chocolate. When someone asks a question or laughs or participates in some way, I reward them with chocolate. You could use any reward.
  Have the audience applaud someone. It could be the previous speaker, your emcee or one of your assistants.
• Sing a song...happy birthday...etc.
  Have background music if possible.
• Talk to the leader and find out who might be willing to participate. I also like to talk to people ahead of time to make sure it's ok with them to be part of the program.
• Ask questions. Get a show of hands. Talk to individuals.
  Note - asking questions can backfire if no one raises their hand. A way around that is to direct your question to a specific person. Choose a person who has shown an interest in participating. If they are hiding in the back, with their arms folded, then don't choose that person.
• Ask easy questions. People like to appear smart, so don't make them look stupid by asking tough questions.
• Have the audience repeat together a key word or phrase.
• Have the audience form groups of three or four to discuss an idea and then let them present their idea to the entire group.
• Give the audience a brief quiz on your subject, but don't embarrass them.
• When telling jokes, you can make the audience part of the fun. They can repeat a phrase which can lead up to the punch line.
• Hold a Question and Answer session after your speech. Tell the audience ahead of time, so they can make notes of possible questions. Pass out cards so they can write their questions down.
• Demonstrations. Ask for volunteers to do a demonstration. Offer giveaways as an incentive.
• Pass out note cards numbered 1 through 10 to the audience. Asks who has number 1, and have that person stand up and read the card. Then explain the idea and make your remarks. Then ask for card #2, etc. Talk to audience members ahead of time and set this up. Some people are afraid to stand up and read a card.
• Say, "Stand up. Shake hands with the person on your right and left and say _________________"
• Have the audience repeat a pledge that you give them line by line.

Audience involvement and participation is one of the easiest activities to enhance your speech, yet it's seldom used.
Give it a try and see how your audience responds.