speakerAs a competitor in various speaking  contests, I find one thing remains the same:  The Message.  Matter of fact, some speech contests insist you don’t change your message from one level of competition to another.  Though there is something to be said about honing your message and making it sparkle and shine,  altering your message to your audience is crucial.
I recently had the opportunity to share Repositioning For The Future, my newest Keynote workshop to two different audiences.   Like all Motivational Speakers, I was sure I had a winning message, right down to the final word.    I did everything in rehearsals to make my message sizzle.  Then came launch day.
The first  presentation was in the morning.  It was a rough start to the day.  I was at the mercy of the meeting planner who was late, which did not leave a lot of time to get to know some of the participants nor did it leave time to scan the area where I’d be presenting.  I was the second speaker on the docket,  and I was speaking after a rather inexperienced speaker who used a lot of cluttered power point slides.  I had my work cut out  for me.   Though I had rehearsed many times, I was unprepared for the response, or lack of response, from the audience.  At the 15 minute mark, I was ready to wrap it up and call it a day.  Then I remembered something a fellow speaker had said,
AVOID SPEAKING TO AN AUDIENCE BEFORE LUNCH!  
My positioning on the program should have dictated the direction of my presentation.  Though I was merely regurgitating what I had delivered in rehearsal. I also did not take enough time to get to know the audience.   Thankfully I had another opportunity  to prove myself and my message worthy of an audience.  
The second time delivering,  I was 2nd in the line up again. However, it was after dinner.   I had a captive audience, and I had the chance to shake hands before presenting.   I also presented the same material, but in a different fashion to suit the occasion.  
A couple of keys to keep in mind:
•    Take some time out for audience identification. What’s different about each audience? How can you appeal to different needs and desires?
•    Take some time to think through your content strategy. Instead of repeating the exact same message to three unique audiences — what might you do differently to be more appealing to each?
Remember, every audience is different.  Their needs are different.  Give them a solid message and move them to action every  time you speak.