You're facing technical issues during a speech. How do you keep your audience engaged?

I distinctly remember that in 2017, in a public speaking competition which was timed for 7 mins irrespective of what happens on stage, my mike started to make some sharp noise. I continued for 10 seconds but it was not getting back to normal. I paused, opened the buckle of the device from my belt and unlocked mike from my collar, Kept it on the ground withing 3 seconds, CALMLY (No rush whatsoever). And I continued from where I left. I did win the competition, but what was most satisfying was that everybody in the audience noticed the mike go bad and how calmly I managed the situation. That day I won many hearts. "Control the controllable", and All I could control was how I move next, not how the mike worked. That is how I remained CALM.

1. Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain composure to reassure the audience. 2. Interactive Q&A: Use the opportunity to engage directly with the audience. 3. Storytelling: Share anecdotes or stories to maintain interest. 4. Visual Aids: Utilize handouts or non-digital visuals if possible. 5. Humor: Lighten the atmosphere with appropriate humor to ease tension.

It's never what happens, it's how you react to it. Follow the simple A-B-C rule: Acknowledge, Bridge, Continue. When something goes wrong, as a collective your audience will be waiting to see how you handle it, so the first thing to to do is acknowledge it. The Bridge is the action step which allows you to carry on, while taking your audience with you - moving closer to the audience and speaking louder if the microphone doesn't work, or letting them know you are going to continue without slides. Shifting gears, being flexible and not getting flustered keeps the audience calm and on your side. If you don't behave like it's a big deal. it won't feel like a big deal.

Being able to adapt and change your speech or presentation at the last minute due to circumstances outside of your control is a very essential skill to possess when wanting to master public speaking. A good rule to follow is to ensure that you can access your content without the need of presentation slides and that key messages can also be accessed beyond the need for using technology e.g: having physical copies of your content/worksheets. It is important to remember that both powerful and inspiring storytelling can happen when sharing personal stories that are meaningful to you in times of improvisation that requires quick thinking and adaptability.

Use the technical disruption to invite audience participation, asking questions related to your speech to spark discussions. Encourage them to share their thoughts or experiences, making the session a two-way communication. This increases engagement and keeps the audience interested despite the technical difficulties. By embracing the situation and staying calm, you can turn a potential mishap into a strength, demonstrating your ability to adapt and connect with your audience on a deeper level. This approach not only salvages the situation but can also enhance the overall impact of your speech.