Tips
Speaking
Tips
How many
times have you gone to a speaking engagement and their microphone doesn't
work or it gives horrendous feedback? Have you have had the event planner
who you worked with not show up? How about planning a hour long presentation,
but their business meeting went on extra long and at the last minute the
cut your time to 30 minutes? Have you ever had a heckler?
These
and so many more situations arise. It is up to you to take control of the
situation. The more prepared you are, the less you have to be concerned
with the day of the event.
If you
have other ideas that are helpful, please feel free to email me and I'll
add them to the list.
1. Pre Engagement Research
How large of an audience attends?
What type of an audience
is it? (i.e. women, men, age range, industry specific etc.)
What length of time is allowed
for the speaker?
Do speakers normally invite
questions?
What have you budgeted for the
speaker? (Key phrase: Let me check my schedule, I'd really enjoy speaking
to your organization
2. The Engagement
Get there early
Rest mike, or better yet, bring
your own equipment
Get comfortable with the room
Place evaluation forms, one sheets,
articles, rating sheets with speaker request at tables
Meet and greet audience arrives.
Ask them what they expect to hear. It will give you a personal connection
with them.
3. Your Introduction
Present your One Sheet with Bio
with the exact information you want included in your introduction and ask
them to introduce you and include your topic title
Thank whoever introduce you
Take a deep belly breath, if you
feel nervous, apply pressure from thumb nail to the end of your little
finger.
¨f you forget what comes next,
take another breath and refocus; remember, they don't know what you intend
to say next.
4. Show Time
Start with a Bang!
Keep your voice interesting. Maintain
and interesting lilt, but don't overdo it!
Open with either: a) Quote, b)
Question , c) Story or 4) Poem try to leave the punch line to the end,
leave off the end of the story, save the answer to the end.
Follow with 3 Basic Area Concepts:
Ask "before my closing remarks,
are there any questions?"
End with either: a) Quote, b) Question
, c) Story or 4) Poem (should match what you began with)
Stay put and accept the applause;
don't look down; make eye contact with the audience.
5 Additional Tips:
Hands: keep relaxed and at your
sides; use for emphasis only; open hand should be faced upward never
down; use two fingers (index and middle) for pointing reference; when counting
use thump to index and move to little finger; never steeple, put hands
in pockets, on hips or in back of you
Eye contact: Scan (3-5 seconds
per person) make the connection; do not flit from eye to eye;
Stance: Plant your feet approximately
width of shoulder, stand firmly on both; don't rock back-and-forth; try
to stay within your arms radius from where you began
Notes: Don't use notes, unless
you absolutely have to. In which case, type them in 24 point and place
in clear windows for reference if you need to get back on track. Make sure
you include page numbers.
Remember, practice, record, listen
and practice more!!!
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