Getting the attention of a group is not a trivial skill.
Even when customers have paid to come on a tour and employed you as a guide to share your knowledge – getting an audience to pay attention can sometimes feel like an impossible task. How can we effectively get people’s attention when leading a tour or facilitating and experience?
As someone who worked as a camp counsellor for many years and then ran a summer camp program, I had to quickly find strategies for quieting down large groups of excited children.
Later in life, working as a tour leader, guide and experience host, these skills proved invaluable.
The great thing about working with groups of adults? They’re just big children! = )
In this training video, we look at how to get people’s attention, how to quiet down chatty and disruptive guests, and what to do if you find the attention of your audience dwindling.
I offer seven strategies, all of which I have personally used in the field, and I hope these same techniques will work for you!
We even cover a few mistakes that you’ll want to avoid when getting the attention of a group.
Transcript:
Friends Romans countryman I have a dream. Four score and seven years ago, in a galaxy far far away. We took one small step for man and asked not what we can do for our country, but whether to be or not to be. (Hold for applause… smile winningly…nailed it)
Hi there, Kelsey Tonner here from Be a Better Guide and today we’re looking at strategies for getting the attention of your group – something we as tour leaders and experience hosts do all the time.
After a decade of leading tours, here are seven of our best tips for getting the attention of your guests.
1 – Always start with the groups attention
While seemingly obvious, i’m always surprised by how many Tours leaders start speaking before they have the full attention of their group. The strategy seems to be start talking and eventually everyone will tune in.
My recommendation is to always signal to the group and start gathering attention before you say anything of substance. Why? Because your beginning should be important. This is where you peak curiosity, hook the groups attention, or surprise them with something unusual. We don’t anyone missing your beginnings.
2 – Only speak with full attention.
This technique signals that you won’t proceed with the tour unless you have complete silence from the group. If you enforce it strictly, you’ll have the respect of your guests and group will start to self- enforce.
If most of the group is attentive but they see you waiting for a few chatty folks, they’ll be the ones to quiet those individuals. Patiently waiting while looking directly at those still talking helps. If you’re not used to this method, it may seem intimidating – but it really is best for your guests. Those chatty group members are almost certainly having a negative impact on the guests around them.
3 – Engage disruptive guests
Another subtle technique that experienced tour leaders use is to draw chatting guests back in by engaging them directly.
This can be done by stepping forward and gently touching someone’s shoulder while your speaking, or calling to them directly, with ‘hey girls, could I have your attention for a moment – you won’t want to miss this.”
Knowing people’s names is huge, and is the fastest way to get someone’s attention back. For example, if Steve has started a side conversation I might say – “and Steve, I think you’ll get a kick out of this. Did you know…”
People perk up at the sound of their name, so use this to your advantage to gently draw people back into your tour.
4 – Use the silent fox
There are many variations on this technique – but they all involve the following rules. If the tour leader silently holds up a certain hand gesture – everyone must copy the hand gesture and immediately stop speaking.
In Germany, they use the silent fox and at conferences I’ve been to I’ve also seen the silent pinky.
Obviously the rules must be explained at the beginning, and you could even use some humour to see how fast the group can respond.
This technique works great for large groups and keeps you from having to shout everytime you want to get peoples attention.
5 – Use claps and snaps
Another powerful technique to gather attention is as follows.
Speaking and regular tone of voice, say if you can hear me clap twice. (Then wait for anyone to hear you clap 2 times) now repeat using different number of claps or snaps and continue until all of the group is participating.
The technique is effective because a) you save your voice and b) the clapping or snapping draws the attention of those who can’t hear you. After doing it once, people catch on and it becomes that much more effective.
Don’t bother explaining the game at the beginning of the tour, just use it when needed and as soon as you have the groups attention – launch into your content.
After you’ve done it a few times the group will catch on and it will be that much more effective.
6 – Leverage your Physical Environment
Great guides are always thinking about physical space on tour and what will be best for their groups. For example are there places In the shade if it is hot, are there opportunities for the group to sit down, protection from wind and rain, are you forcing your group to stare into the sun, is there a quieter space in a crowded area, etc.
Also be aware of the best way to be seen and heard at every stop along the tour. Can you climb up on some stairs, sit on a raised balcony, use a prop in some creative way? It is esstenial that everyone sees you and hears you and this is central to keeping their attention.
7 – Treat attention with the respect it deserves
Once you have the attention of an audience – treat that time as scared and don’t waste it for a moment.
This can happen when a tour leader repeatedly gets people’s attention, but then needs to fish something out of their bag, or gets sidetracked by a question from the front.
People will quickly stop heeding your calls for attention if you waste their time, get distracted or tend to ramble.
Keep things moving and be brief. Provide education, entertainment or inspiration, and then give people moments of freedom. In other words – treat your guests attention as a scarce commodity.
To summarize:
1. Always start with the groups attention
2. only speak with full attention
3. engage disruptive people
4. use the silent fox
5. Use claps and snaps
6. Leverage your physical environment
7. Treat attention with the respect it deserves
Want some additional inspiration on captivating audiences? Check out our PDF resource 10 incredible speeches by 10 incredible speakers
Using the YouTube links provided, watch how these masters hold attention and put it to good use.
In the comments below, share some of your best techniques for getting the attention of your group.
Know someone who could benefit from this video? Send it their way – every like and share is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for being here,
Kelsey T
