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Resources
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
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How large of an
audience attends?
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What type of an audience
is it? (i.e. women, men, age range, industry specific etc.)
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What length of time is
allowed for the speaker?
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Do speakers normally
invite questions?
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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
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Get there early
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Rest mike, or better yet, bring
your own equipment
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Get comfortable with the room
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Place evaluation forms, one
sheets, articles, rating sheets with speaker request at tables
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Meet and greet audience arrives.
Ask them what they expect to hear. It will give you a personal connection
with them.
3.
Your Introduction
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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
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Thank whoever introduce you
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Take a deep belly breath, if
you feel nervous, apply pressure from thumb nail to the end of your little
finger.
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¨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
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Start with a Bang!
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Keep your voice interesting.
Maintain and interesting lilt, but don't overdo it!
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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.
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Follow with 3 Basic Area Concepts:
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Ask "before my closing remarks,
are there any questions?"
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End with either: a) Quote,
b) Question , c) Story or 4) Poem (should match what you began with)
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Stay put and accept the applause;
don't look down; make eye contact with the audience.
5 Tips:
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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
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Eye contact: Scan (3-5 seconds
per person) make the connection; do not flit from eye to eye;
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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
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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.
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Remember, practice, record,
listen and practice more!!!
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