EPISODE · Nov 17, 2025 · 44 MIN
Dead Room? No Problem!
from The Presentation Whisperer Show · host Rob Jolles
In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:How to respond when your opening story or icebreaker lands flat.Why starting with a humorous video can be a powerful tool to gauge audience energy.What to do if your opening video or joke doesn’t get the reaction you expected.Why presenters often take a “dead room” personally — and how to avoid that trap.How “turning up the volume” can backfire and what to do instead.Creative questioning techniques that help thaw a cold or unresponsive audience.How to maintain composure when audience energy is low due to fatigue, bad news, or cultural norms.Lessons learned from personal mistakes when trying to wake up a dead room.Best practices for walking into a presentation knowing audience energy will be low. To learn more about this guest, visit:[email protected]/Ronzonebooks https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengayiii/ Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters
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What this episode covers
What do you do when your best opening story lands with a thud… when your “surefire” icebreaker melts before it hits the room? For many, panic can set in fast, but it doesn’t have to. Author, and legendary professional speaker, Ben Gay III sits down with Rob to explore how to read a room, adjust on the fly, and revive a dead audience without losing confidence or composure. Drawing from over 50 years in professional selling and more than 5,000 speaking events, Ben shares techniques that keep presenters calm, connected, and in control, even when the audience’s energy tank hits empty.
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Dead Room? No Problem!
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