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Feedback is a powerful tool that can help you refine your speaking skills, enhance your presentations, and connect more effectively with your audience. Whether you’re an experienced public speaker or just starting, collecting and incorporating feedback can provide the insights you need to improve and stay relevant. But how do you collect this feedback, and more importantly, how do you apply it to future engagements? This blog explores practical strategies for gathering and utilizing feedback to boost your speaking career.
Event planners see many speakers and know what works best for their audience. Their feedback is invaluable:
Post-Event Debrief
Could you schedule a debriefing meeting with the event planner after your presentation? This conversation would allow you to discuss what worked well, what could be improved, and how your message resonated with the attendees. I want you to know that event planners understand audience expectations and can give specific suggestions on your delivery or content.
Written Feedback
Request a formal written evaluation from the event planner. This can serve as both a personal critique and a professional testimonial for future marketing efforts. The planner’s perspective can help refine your performance while offering valuable quotes for future one-sheets or promotional materials.
3. Leverage Social Media and Online Reviews
Social media has become a valuable platform for gathering audience feedback and showcasing your speaking engagements:
Monitor Social Media Mentions
After your presentation, please watch social media platforms for any mentions or reviews of your performance. Responding to feedback on these platforms shows your engagement and can provide a diverse range of perspectives from different audience members.
Encourage Online Reviews
Could you ask your audience to leave reviews on LinkedIn, your website, or other review platforms? These reviews serve a dual purpose—they provide you with constructive criticism and help build your credibility with potential event planners. Use positive feedback as testimonials on your speaker profile or one-sheet.
4. Analyze and Reflect on the Feedback
Once you’ve collected feedback, it’s essential to take the time to review and reflect on it:
Identify Common Themes
Please be sure to look for recurring patterns or suggestions. If multiple people comment on a specific aspect of your presentation—the pacing, content depth, or interaction style—that’s a clear indicator that it may need attention or improvement.
Balance Positive and Negative Feedback
While focusing on negative feedback is tempting, it’s equally important to highlight positive comments. Positive feedback helps you understand your strengths and areas where you connect well with the audience. This balance ensures that you’re addressing areas for improvement and building on what you do best.
5. Implement Changes and Show Growth
Feedback is only as useful as the changes it inspires. Here’s how you can put your audience’s insights into action:
Make Adjustments
Whether refining your content, adjusting your delivery style, or changing how you engage with the audience, could you use the feedback to make necessary changes? Minor adjustments, like improving the flow of your presentation or enhancing your visual aids, can significantly impact your audience’s experience.
Communicate Improvements
If you are speaking at a recurring event or to the same audience, could you let them know about your changes based on their feedback? This demonstrates that you value their input and are committed to continuous improvement. It can also increase audience buy-in for future presentations.
6. Continuously Seek Improvement
Improving your speaking skills is an ongoing journey:
Professional Development
Based on your feedback, I'd like you to consider attending workshops, hiring a speaking coach, or practicing new techniques. Investing in your growth as a speaker will help you address areas of improvement and stay on top of industry trends.
Iterative Process
Remember, collecting and incorporating feedback is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. Continuously seek new ways to engage with your audience, gather feedback, and refine your approach. This iterative process will help you stay relevant, impactful, and in-demand.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating feedback into your speaking practice improves your presentations and strengthens your connection with your audience. By proactively gathering and applying feedback, you’ll continue to grow as a speaker and deliver even more impactful presentations. Feedback helps you build stronger relationships with your audience, making your message memorable and your career more successful.
Here’s to your continued success and growth as a public speaker!