Public Speaking: 
Give 'em What They Want
I have been in public speaking situations where I meticulously
planned for a big event and when I showed up there were only three people in
the audience. You can't just quit and walk away, but you can't work a plan for
500 on only 3 either.
So what do you do? You turn it into a massive positive the for
the three that attended. You immediately scrap your big public speaking plans
and tell the 3 people you will be their personal consultant for the next x hours.
Then you answer their questions and make them feel like they are the only persons
in the world for the entire time.
As a professional in the public speaking business you don't
mope around crying because your product sales would suffer or because your ego
is suffering. And, you should not insult a small audience by stating that you
expect much more attendees. Those "small numbers" who showed up could
become your major customers. You give it your all whether there are 3 or 3000
in the audience.
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