
3 Lessons from Oprah Winfrey's 2013 Commencement Address
From talk show host to cultural icon, it is no secret that Oprah Winfrey knows how to own a stage and captivate an audience. Her 2013 Commencement Address at Harvard University exemplified her presentation expertise, as well as her command of a crowd. Here are 3 lessons every presenter can learn from one of Oprah's most widely-viewed addresses: 1. Establish Yourself as a Member of Their Community Oprah introduces herself by sharing her connection to the graduates; while she h

How to Engage a Preoccupied Audience
When presenting to a crowd, speakers can witnesses a variety of responses and actions. It is tricky to decipher these behaviors, but gaining a better understanding of your audience allows you to respond as a better presenter. Here are three common behaviors of distracted audience members, and how to reconnect them with your message: 1. They're on their phones This response can often reveal that an audience is bored or preoccupied. As a speaker, observing this should challenge