Compel attention from the beginning by being a first-hand reporter and delivering your own story. Anyone can give a second or third hand account of someone else's problem and solution. Instead, work to present a message wholly crafted around your unique perspective.

Starting generically with the intent of "warming up" to a more personal message is a risky delay. You may lose your audience while toe-testing the waters. Global business adviser and senior managing director of Liquid Leadership, Brad Szollose talks about the "energy shift" that occurs when a speaker launches into a personal story from the heart. "Sadly, even professionals wait TOO LONG into their speech to do this."

Personal passion is key and far more engaging than a perfect delivery. Optimally, you will present with both, but remember that you are often the biggest component of your message.

Are you quoting last year's stats? On larger scale trends, this may not be statistically significant, but utilize key word searches to be sure you're communicating the most current information available.

And one speech does not fit all. Resist the urge to dust off "close enough." Audiences will vary just as individuals do. A smaller turnout, a less tech savvy perspective, even time of day will impact audience receptivity. It is your job to find the connection points and adjust them as needed.

Strengths Finder Coach Kathie Stoeckle Gautille says the speaker must also be an active listener, attuned to body language and audience responses. "If they don't appear engaged, I try to make it more interactive."

A responsive speaker—or interview candidate—will be perceptive to engagement level. If it's lacking, he will look for the disconnect and improvise a bridge.

The best-crafted communication is worthless if it doesn't connect with the intended audience. Be prepared to adapt your message to fit the needs of a specific situation. Facilitate understanding with a willingness to restate, regroup and redirect if necessary.

Author Jane Atkinson advocates "(taking an audience) with you on the journey. (They) may have no desire to climb a mountain, but if you can draw the parallel of your journey with their own challenges" you can draw them into a common experience.

Life experiences vary, but by tapping into common emotions, a speaker can make the unusual relevant. When I speak of hiking adventures, it is usually in the context of family teamwork. Most audiences have no desire to tackle some of the treks I treasure, but they readily understand the elemental bonding born of a shared trial or test.

The right kind of laughter can break down barriers far more effectively than the most carefully crafted Power Point. But "right kind" is critical to the successful use of humor. Obviously, refrain from the offensive, but also avoid the obscure. Maintain a broad frame of reference that connects with current events and embraces contemporary culture.

And you'll gain extra points for honing in on the inside jokes exclusive to your gathered group... When speaking to a roomful of second-time singles last month, I noted that imagining them on blind dates was more appropriate than the tired old "imagine your audience in their underwear" joke. Acknowledging that shared awkward experience created instant engagement. Nick Peterson, a professional speaker with Parkinson's emphasizes the importance of "affectionate (self deprecating) humor. If I'm putting myself down, I've lost them."

Ever done one of these? "Hey, how are you?" "Not bad, how are you?" "Pretty good, how are you doing?" No, you didn't miscount. There was an extra inquiry in that exchange—and an instant deflation to perceived sincerity.

Don't be lulled by the sound of your voice traveling over familiar words. Letting your thoughts race ahead often leads to embarrassing "oh yeah, where was I?" moments.

Hone your concentration skills by disconnecting from both Internet and phone when rehearsing for a speech or interview. Be merciless by making yourself go back to the beginning when distracted, and you will get markedly better at staying on track—and engaged with an actual audience.

Many professional speakers advocate drawing the audience in with an activity or question as it invites more active listening. "Engage them and interact with them... And have them engage with each other," says Steve Cherches, co-founder and COO of Big Blue Gumball. Professional speaker Dale Fox advises that posing "a question...automatically engages their minds."

A speaker can establish relevancy by tying her topic to a common life experience with a question. An employment applicant should use questions to gather information that will clarify job fit. Demonstrating genuine attention to the company's strategies and interests is an intelligent approach that will establish you as a more credible candidate with a potential role in the company's future. Questions create conversation—which drives community.

Tech columnist Greg Gazin cautions against "preaching" and using words like "should." This approach is off-putting and likely to create distance from your audience. Be the expert you are — after all they've hired or asked you to interview because of perceived mastery. But keep it all eyeball-to-eyeball. Antonio Galotta, with the communications office of the Italian Air Force, says to remember you're speaking to selective adults. not children who "will only spend their time for something useful."

Be conversational. Respectful. Envision yourself talking across the podium or desk instead of from behind it.