Presenting from the Couch
How social media can be a key platform | By Kristen Haldeman | December 24, 2019
Using social media will aid you in perfecting your real speeches. “The name that is used for this activity is “crowdsourcing”. It happens when you reach out to your network and actively ask them for their help in building your next speech.” Maybe do a poll between two potential topics and have your audience vote. Allowing them to be invested in the process of making the speech will make them more invested to see the speech performed and follow up with a call to action.
Use the features of the social media stage. Some social media have live streaming features that can bring in an audience unable to attend the live presentation. Announce your presentation on the platform to inform people who may not have direct contact with the meeting. When the speech is over, post a picture or memorable quote as a key take away.
For any business, social media platforms should not be taken for granted. They are easily accessible and widely used and should, therefore, be utilized to maximize awareness for your business. A good place to begin is understanding your audience. By knowing your target demographic, developing which social media platform to use and specific content will be more effective in retaining and gaining customers. Use the platforms to further your message and your company, doing so from the comfort of your couch.
We recognize that social media can be used for much more than speeches. In this blog, we are focusing on just that aspect.
How appealing does public speaking sound when you can do it from the comfort of your couch? No fancy suit necessary. No need for extra strength invisible deodorant. No glaring eyes. No clicker breaks halfway through your main point. No out of place notecards. And if you don’t like the way your presentation is sounding, you can delete it until you do.
This is the beauty of social media.
What many organizations fail to understand is that in today’s society, social media is the largest stage from which a person could speak. Actually, 24% of small businesses do not have a social media presence at all.
Journalist Dave Delaney notes, “I have noticed that while many keynote speakers excel on stage in front of an audience, they miss opportunities to use social media to market themselves. Speakers often don't have the time, resources or know-how to use social media and inbound marketing to promote their speaking.”
It may take some time and patience before you get the hang of the social media platform, but the results will certainly be worth the effort.
To help you get started, here is a conglomeration of suggestions that will ensure a pattern of good social media use for public speaking.
Why use it? It’s the largest audience you will reach. Sure, there are speeches like the Inauguration Speech that attracts hundreds of thousands of people. However, unless you’re the president, your audience will most likely not be so grandiose. With 79% of the population of the United States on social media, you have the chance to reach an audience not even the Washington D. C. Mall could occupy.