Article - How to Get Great Evaluations Every Time

Speakers, learn how to get evaluations from your audiences.
by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Ask for great evaluations in advance! Whenever you deliver seminars or break-out sessions, greet the attendees at the door and shake their hands. Start your presentation by asking the audience what they want and expect from their time with you. What ingredients are needed before they can rate you excellent?

Most audiences reply:

Cover the points promised in the description.
Be energetic and entertaining.
Don't use a monotone.
Don't read your talk.

I ask my audiences if they have a philosophical problem rating me excellent if I deliver. I make it as a joke with lots of personality and they laugh. Before your close, ask if there are any other points they would like you to cover. Then get them to complete an evaluation form, doing any other housekeeping at the same time.

Finally, leave them on a high. Follow up by going to the back of the room and shaking their hands again.

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For more information on individual or group speech coaching and speaking schools visit: http://www.executivespeechcoach.com

For books, tapes and videos on how you can be more effective on the platform http://www.fripp.com/publicspeakingresources/

Patricia Fripp CSP, CPAE is a San Francisco-based executive speech coach and award-winning professional speaker on Change, Customer Service, Promoting Business, and Communication Skills. She is the author of Get What You Want! and Past-President of the National Speakers Association.

We offer this article on a nonexclusive basis. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Patricia Fripp's name and contact information is included. PFripp@Fripp.com, 1-800 634 3035, http://www.fripp.com