Fatimah Wakilbe Shares Six Strategies for Delivering Audience-Centred Presentations
Fatimah Wakilbe, a communications consultant, founder and team lead at Leac Priori Orators, has outlined six practical strategies for delivering presentations that connect with audiences and reflect their needs, experiences and expectations.
In her guide, “How I Make Any Talk Feel Like It Was Made for That Room,” Wakilbe emphasised that effective public speaking begins with understanding the audience rather than simply preparing slides or rehearsing an opening statement.
She advised speakers to research their audience before an event by asking organisers what participants are concerned about, what they may be tired of hearing and what would make the presentation worthwhile.
According to her, understanding these concerns helps speakers develop relevant content that addresses the audience’s immediate needs.
Wakilbe also stressed the importance of using language that resonates with listeners. She explained that different groups have their own expressions and experiences, urging speakers to use familiar terms, relatable examples and everyday situations rather than relying on jargon.
“Every audience has its own dictionary,” she noted, encouraging presenters to communicate in ways that make their messages easy to understand.
Another strategy she highlighted is helping audiences recognise themselves in the presentation. She recommended incorporating familiar experiences, acknowledging the demands on participants’ time and creating opportunities for interaction throughout a talk.
Wakilbe further advised speakers to encourage participation without putting people under pressure. Rather than calling on individuals unexpectedly, she recommended giving participants the option to contribute or pass, creating a more comfortable environment for engagement.
She also emphasised the need to respect the culture, hierarchy and circumstances of each audience. According to her, acknowledging participants’ time and experiences can help build trust and sustain their attention.
On concluding presentations, Wakilbe encouraged speakers to focus on practical next steps rather than simply summarising what they had said. She suggested asking participants to identify one thing they would communicate more clearly or do differently after leaving the room.
She also identified three common mistakes speakers should avoid: using the same slides for different audiences, opening with lengthy personal credentials before establishing relevance, and making assumptions about participants instead of asking questions.
Wakilbe maintained that a presentation should be designed around the people in the room, stressing that effective communication requires preparation, empathy, relevance and meaningful audience engagement.
Fatimah Wakilbe Shares Six Strategies for Delivering Audience-Centred Presentations