The media landscape is changing faster than you can say, "What's the new Facebook?" We're living in an age of incredible media overload -- and it's getting worse. When you dip into television, periodicals, and the Web every day to get information, trends, and breaking news, it's like drinking from a fire hose.
But here's a fact you need to remember. A speech is still about 20 minutes long. This length seems to have settled in as an established cultural norm. It's what audiences expect.
Compared to today's typical audience attention spans, 20 minutes is an eternity. Now, 30-second TV commercials seem long -- and there are more and more 10-second spots. Print advertisers and website owners measure their page views in seconds.
But when you sign on to give a speech, you've got your audience for a good 20 minutes. If you're an interesting and lively speaker, you've got them with no distractions or interruptions.
In addition, your audience usually arrives with a positive outlook. They're on your side. They're rooting for you to succeed -- because they've already made an investment in time and expectations to be there.
But too many executives think of their speeches and presentations as obligations or even burdens. Since when is it a burden to spend 20 minutes, face-to-face, with customers, employees, investors, thought leaders, and other key audiences who are there to listen -- and want you to succeed?
Remember this. Your next 20-minute speech has enormous potential. When you connect with your audience and deliver on their expectations, you own the most valuable real estate on the media map today.
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