Entertaiment is any activity that is meant to provide pleasure to an audience. This can include theater, music, visual arts, sports events, and other activities that draw a large crowd. Entertaiment can also include passive activities such as watching television or listening to music. The word entertainment comes from the Old French word entretenir, meaning to keep together, and has since come to mean any activity that keeps an audience enthralled and interested.
Entertaining an audience
One of the most important functions of a speaker is to entertain the audience. The purpose of this type of speech is to keep the audience’s attention, relay an important message, and stir the emotions. Performing an entertainment speech is not easy, but there are many ways to engage your audience.
When planning entertainment, consider the type of audience you are targeting. You can entertain a couple of people at a dinner party, or a hundred people at a dance performance. A performance that is aimed at an audience of thousands or millions is a very different proposition. Entertainment has evolved through the ages, and a variety of cultures have created various forms of entertainment.
Creating a show for an audience
Creating a show for an audience requires a strategic approach. It begins with understanding your audience. You likely already produce content for your audience in the form of ebooks, whitepapers, email newsletters, blogs, and more. Examine these pieces and determine whether your content is engaging and appealing to your audience.
Next, you must identify the type of customer you want to attract. If you are creating a show based on intellectual property, you should disclose the source of the intellectual property. If you are creating a show based on an existing book or movie, you should also disclose any rights issues.
Presenting a show for an audience
One of the common concerns of the presenter is how to engage an audience. You can choose from two approaches: active and passive. Active audience participation involves actively involving them in your talk or presentation. Passive audience participation is a low-risk option that can warm up a new audience.
Active audience participation requires careful planning. Consider the type of audience you have and the type of information they are most interested in. Remember that your goal is to inspire your audience to take action. Before you deliver a presentation, research your audience. Understand what their goals are and what will help them achieve them.
A hostile audience will be difficult to engage. It requires patience and a proactive approach to gain their respect. Unless your audience is highly engaged and excited about your subject matter, they are unlikely to be receptive to your message. To overcome this, choose a subject that appeals to their interests and give them the information they need.
