Your relationship with an audience can be very similar to that of an adult with children, and here’s why:
1.) You have to lead, as the experienced voice of authority on your subject. However, the balance of power can easily shift to the audience if they don’t respect you and decide to disrupt things, much like a comedian attempting to woo a rowdy audience in a comedy club on a Saturday night. Like impatient children, they want you to be interesting, but might turn on you if they lose faith, so deliver with calm authority.
2.) You may have to adapt, and go along with what they want (see my post ‘Be Like Water’).
3.) You have to be absolutely clear what you mean throughout.
When talking to a group whose culture you’re not familiar with, don’t talk down to them, or try to be cool, or use language that you think they use, homie. Just speak the way you normally do, try some references to their culture, and invite them to correct you if you get it wrong. If they do, you’ll gain an insight into their world, and an instant connection. Bingo.