Are You a Friend, Foe or Fool?

Before you've said a complete sentence,
the audience has already judged you.
The first seconds of a speech is usually when you are most nervous.
And your nervousness can make you look unfriendly.

Many books on public speaking explains how to
establish your authority early,
or capture interest with a bang,
but you may not even get the chance to do that.

People have to like you, or they won't listen.
In the first seconds, your audience care for one thing:

Are you a Friend or Foe?

Then, if they like you, they ask themselves:

Are you a Fool?

• Why should they listen to you for advice?
• Do you look and sound confident?
• Do you have a track record?

But, you will not have the chance to prove your authority if they dislike you.

So how do you improve your chances to be liked?

To look friendly, you have to see the audience as friends, not your judges.
And fake smiles won't hide what you feel.

Imagine that you share valuable insights with the audience.
Most audiences want to have a good time, so they want you to succeed.
You all want to have a good time together.
 
Then, you can do the following to increase your likability:

1. Arrive early. Get to know people. Have fun. Help out.
2. Repeat to yourself: I speak to friends that want to have a good time.
3. Smile when you walk up!
4. Connect before you speak. Look around, meet eyes and smile. Take your time!

So in summary:
If you want people to listen to you, they have to like you.
To be liked, you have to like them.
They want a good time, you want a good time.
Don't let nervousness come in between.
Get to know your audience before you speak.
Then meet eyes and smile more!