An easy way to make a connection with your audience is to do some “name-dropping”. Address persons in your audience by name during your presentation. It works great to make a connection and ensures that your audience (especially the persons who you mention by name) remain focussed on what you have to say.
You do need to find the right balance and ensure the name dropping has a function. You also obviously need to make certain to use the right name of a person… Another powerful use of name-dropping is described in the book Public Speaking Excellence.
