April 19th, 2010
We are using the term “ethical bribe” to refer specifically to public speaking tactics that involve gifting something to your audience members in exchange for their attention and participation.
In the prior installment, we looked at the “pros” of using ethical bribes to engage audiences and gain their participation. In this segment, we’ll address some of the “cons” to such a practice.
If it doesn’t fit the audience…
Some audiences do not respond well to these types of minor incentives. Again, it always pays to know your audience and to consider what methods and techniques would be effective.
A note about appropriateness…
More serious or academic topics do not always lend themselves to a playful presentation style, so it would be wise to use caution for these types of presentations. Examples may include: sexual harrassment, death statistics, presentations regarding war, natural disasters, etc.
Don’t be cheesy…
If the giveaways are viewed as cheap, cheesy, or otherwise lame, there isn’t much of an incentive to nab any. If you can, test the idea with a smaller group or get some opinions before you invest in giveaways.
Need permission?
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to gain certain permissions before using ethical bribes. For example, government officials and employees are not allowed to accept gifts from vendors or potential vendors – no matter the dollar value. Some employers may not approve of certain giveaways at employee training events. If in doubt, check it out.
And while you’re doing your due diligence and deciding whether or not to offer ethical bribes at your next presentation, remember to reserve your projector rental from Projector123.com. You won’t find any bribes here…unless you count out competitive pricing, “frequent flyer” discounts, outstanding service, and hassle-free experience. Order your rental projector today.
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