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Successful Communication: Understanding Your Audience Essay

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When you anticipate the needs of your audience, you increase your chances of obtaining successful communication. (McGraw-hill Higher Education, 2010, p. 25) We are constantly communicating to our audience about who we are and our message through various means; how we stand, how we dress, how we use our language: fast, slow, or with our word selections; and as well with our non verbal behaviors. (McGraw-hill Higher Education, 2010, p. 25) The audience takes in all the visual and audible cues we present them, or do not present them with, as one overall message. The audiences experiences, education, culture, along with many other additional factors, will determine how they perceive and interpret your message. (McGraw-hill Higher …show more content…

(“Public Speaking Know Your Audience - ASME”) To know your audience you need to know the “purpose” of the presentation as well as the “occasion.” (DiSanza & Legge, 2012, p. 100) The size of your audience will also effect the formality of your speech. What brings the audience there, are they there voluntarily or “captive,” not attending voluntarily.(DiSanza & Legge, 2012, p. 104) How much time do you have; thirty-seconds in an elevator, or a six hour, two part seminar at a hotel. Before numerous types of speeches, or interactions, you can research the type of audience you will be interacting with. You can gather this information in many creative ways, depending on your setting and preparation time. For instance, you may send surveys, do on-line research, look at databases, or have a conversation with the establishment. Some of the elements you want to look at is if the audiences is knowledgeable about the topic you are presenting or selling. As well, do they agree or disagree with your point of view? Will they be a favorable audience, apathetic, neutral, active, or hostile, to the information, ideas, and opinions you share. (DiSanza & Legge, 2012, p. 106) Investigate into their demographics; the median age, gender, education level, their occupation, income, and utilize this information to dictate the way you plan on presenting your message. Learn what the psychographic characteristics will be; attitudes, traditions,

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