Many of us are terrified of giving a presentation in front of a group. But fear can be a good thing if it causes us to step outside of our comfort zones and pay attention. That means paying attention to who your audience is when you prepare a presentation.
The mistake that many presenters make is that they do not consider their audience when assembling their ideas. Instead they remain in the comfort zone of their own experiences. This can cause a profound disconnect when you finally do make your presentation. The presentation may be carefully crafted, but it was crafted for you, not your audience.
Of course there are times when you want your audience to step outside of their comfort zone. This can be very difficult as people tend to resist being uncomfortable. Knowing your audience well allows you to connect with them so they can gain new insights and become curious, rather than apprehensive about new experiences.
Christine Esposito of Terracom Public Relations has a good summary of how to pay attention to your audience so your audience pays attention to you. You may read it here.