If you feel the audience losing interest, it important to adapt on the go. Ask a question to engage the audience, share a personal story or anecdote that is relatable, or use humour that is relevant to the audience to grab their attention. Storytelling and anecdotes are what build an emotional connection and create relatability. Speak with more energy and work on making eye contact with the audience across the room. Run an audience poll to involve them - ask for a show of hands or their thoughts. The key is to stay calm, take a deep breath, and make sure they feel included in the conversation.

1. Don't just start with the next part/topic. Build up to it. Introduce the next part, explain what you're going to say and why it's important to your speech. It primes your audience to receive a different kind of input. 2. Use signposting language to smartly acknowledge the change of direction - don't change abruptly. e.g. phrases such as "Speaking of X, have you heard about the story of ...." Remember to stay confident and keep the same pace.

A call to action is the quickest way to get your audience "back online" in the presentation and to close a chapter to start another one. A call to action is an actionable step related to the topic, it is something you can see with your eyes when you ask for it, avoid rhetorical questions, and help them be with you in the room. What does that look like? Ask them to stand up, do a show of hands, or use the name of someone in the audience!

To keep the audience engaged while switching gears mid-speech, acknowledge the shift naturally to maintain transparency and connection. Use a bridge statement like, “Let’s take a new perspective on this,” to smoothly transition. Adjust your tone, pacing, or storytelling approach to match the new direction. Engage the audience with a thought-provoking question, a quick anecdote, or a relevant statistic to maintain interest. If needed, simplify complex ideas to keep the flow natural. Most importantly, stay confident and adaptable, ensuring your delivery remains compelling despite the pivot.

Here is how I do it Reading the room is important and carrying the audience along is important, here is how I do it. Acknowledge & Pivot with Confidence – I don’t ignore the shift; I embrace it. A simple statement like, “Let’s take this in a different direction because I see an opportunity for a deeper conversation,” helps reset the tone while maintaining authority. Use Storytelling & Real-World Examples – Stories are powerful connectors. I quickly introduce a relevant anecdote or case study that aligns with the new direction while keeping the audience emotionally invested. Engage with the Audience – A quick poll, a rhetorical question, or direct audience participation re-centers the discussion and makes them feel part of the shift.