Image: IMG_4979 courtesy of jeaneeem

If you’re new to this series, you may want to go to this article to learn how this all started. In this second article of a 6-part series, I will describe in detail why engaging your audience is an important part of being a super start that people love; and will use a couple of examples from Michael Bublé’s concert on the 31 May, 2008 to illustrate it.

Developing a strong relationship with your audience

It’s all about connections. Whether you’re a musician, actor, keynote speaker, or CEO, your public performances will grow from good to great when you reach out into the audience and truly connect with them. In the case of a musician like Michael, it’s not just about the emotive states that are created by the music and the lyrics;it is also about how much does he make you feel that you have in common with the performer on stage.

In the case of Michael, he engaged his audience in a very active way. He talked to us; got off the stage and walked around his fans; even allowed a lucky woman to hug him (who then proceeded to grab his ass!). On that night, Bublé displayed that rare ability to make us all feel as if we were with him in an intimate gathering at a small jazz club - despite the fact there were 10,000 of us in a crowded sports arena!

How to engage the hearts & minds of your audience

Remember that communications coach who told you that the first thing you need to do if you want to communicate better is to actively listen? That’s what engaging your audience is all about. The ‘listening‘ part comes in the form of gauging their interest and mood, and adjusting your style until you finally get the sense that they are truly connecting with you. The ‘active‘ part comes from the fact that you can’t just perform your act and expect that your audience will connect; you need to actively get Out There (capital letters) either physically, like Michael Bublé does; or figuratively, like Norah Jones does. Either way, you must actively seek to connect & engage with your audience’s deepest desires and dreams.

Below is a short video clip of Michael Bublé in his Sydney concert doing just what I described; Follow his example next time you have to perform in public, and you will be able to really engage your audience and capture their hearts & minds in the process.

Links to articles in the Michael Bublé series

• Introduction

1. Engage your audience (this article)
2. Appreciate your crew
   
3. Show you are human
4. Have a sense of humour
5. Thank your fans (coming up)