There are various ways through which you can establish the ethos when speaking in public. Here are some quick tips:
It is important to be good as a person
You have to be a good person, make a positive impression and do good things. If you practice all these, you will get ethos. The positive feeling that you generate in others will grow like this and your audience will be able to identify with you. Ex: The fidelity of Tiger Woods and the confidence that he generates.
Be a subject matter expert
People are busy and with so many things attracting their attention, you need to tell them why they will listen to you, especially when there are so many speakers. The level of experience you have will set you apart from any other speaker the audience may hear. Example: If the audience has to choose between an inexperienced but credible speaker and someone with a lot of experience in the field, you can choose the speaker who has experience in the given topic.
merchantability
You can gain public speaking ethos only when you promote yourself and let the world know about it. You must be in charge of your personal brand and make sure that the speech emphasizes the aspects that you want to focus on.
Analyze the audience
Analyzing the audience is an integral part of success in the field of your ethos, as it will reveal the valuable cues you need to demand to become attractive to the audience. Take a look at the common traits you share and how you can take advantage of them, such as manners, clothing, images, etc. Ex: You have been invited to give a speech in a company, of which you know nothing. Check through audience analysis if they wear formal wear to work and choose your clothes accordingly.
You can improve the ethos before the speech in the following ways:
Arrive early to welcome the audience
If you show up at the last minute, it indicates that you had to be somewhere important earlier. Showing up early hints to the audience that you want to serve them, which builds trust.
Share your event experience with the audience
If the presentation is part of a larger event, try to attend as much as possible. Every second you spend with your audience goes a long way toward building trust and credibility with each other. The event thus becomes a shared experience, with the public considering you as one of them.
Importance of Ethos in Marketing
If the presentation offers you the opportunity to offer an author biography, take the opportunity to convey to the audience why they should save money and time to listen to you. This is especially important if the event has concurrent sessions. Ex: You are speaking at a teachers’ association. In that case, offering testimonials from past teacher associations will make you more credible.
Introduction with Ethos
The introduction is the best opportunity you’ll have to establish credibility with your audience. Therefore, you must prepare your own presentation, rather than an event planner. Highlight essential facts; establishes authority, credibility, and reputation. Choose materials that are relevant to the topic and the audience. Ex: You are installing the new corporate financial system. The highlights of the introduction might be: You are the project manager for implementing the new system (reputation) and you have implemented similar systems before (reputation).
Use relevant stories and anecdotes
Expect people to follow your advice only if you do; there is no point in being a hypocrite. Ex: you tell people to become a member of Greenpeace. Enhance your ethos by telling them about your activity in the local organization.
Use familiar language
You must use language that is familiar to the audience. It helps to understand the audience and allows them to identify with you, which increases the spirit. Use familiar terms to describe concepts. Example: For many people, real estate agents can be the same as real estate agents, although one of the terms may be more popular depending on the environment.
Attractive and visual examples
Any specific message will have relevant anecdotes, images and stories or methods that will help to better convey the speech. Choose the ones that have the most impact on the audience. Ex: While speaking in a corporate environment, use images and metaphors that complement your audience.
Use quotes and statistics from correct sources
This helps improve the ethos. Example: While researching for a speech on green development, you come across statistics and data that will support your argument.
Refer to Hearing
Use references to people in the audience that can be gleaned from the shared experience to form a bond. Example: Use a quote the previous speaker used to weave it into his speech.
Make yourself available to the audience
Blending in with the audience after the presentation is an effective way to build credibility.
Keep the promises you made
Postpone questions for later; instead, focus on the main presentation.
