Who Is My Audience?
The Audience
Knowledge
The most obvious consideration about the knowledge level of the audience that concerns most presenters is: "Is the audience better informed than I am?" This is probably the less serious of the presenter's concerns because the concern itself will stimulate adequate preparation. Therefore, the greater problem is the danger of assuming the knowledge level of the audience. Never face an audience unprepared, but also never fall into the trap of assuming listener ignorance and talking down to the audience.
Expertise
The skill level of the audience is also important because that may determine the position on the issue that you want to take.
Experience
This consideration is not only how much experience the audience has, but at what level and in what environment. Experience in a laboratory is significantly different than experience in the field.
Bias
If you can identify the diverse nature and biases of the audience, you can ascertain they are starting from and some of the pitfalls you will need to avoid.
Needs
In order to send the listeners home with a sense of satisfaction and feeling glad they were there, it is wise to address their needs. Theory is important when building evidence, but eventually you must "get the hay down out of the loft so the horses can eat it."
Wants
Similar to needs are the audience's wants. Wants and needs are not always the same, and if you only address needs, it is difficult to satisfy an audience and move them to action.
Goals
Determine the goals of your audience and keep them in mind as you plan your presentation.
The great danger with centering your talk on the needs of the topic is that you waste your own time and that of the audience with irrelevant detail.
—John Campbell Speak for Yourself
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