Public Speaking Tips

Personal Ideas To Help You & Your Company Shine

Speech Content>>

1)     Studies show that the audience can only remember three key points in your speech. Keep your talk simple.

2)     Think in terms of key takeaway’s the audience will remember. These are the GOLDEN NUGGETS of your speech.

3)     Impart knowledge that the audience can take back to their offices that day and will use in conversation when they are in the community. This could be a key statistic that will blow them away or a unique trend that effects everyone and business.

4)     Evoke an emotion. Tell a story.

5)     Don’t use the podium time to sell. Think of the content in terms of “what does the audience need to know that will BENEFIT THEM”. Always think in terms of the audience and what THEY will gain. NOT what YOU will gain. This will come back to you two-fold.

6)     Keep within the time limit. Do not go over the time that has been allotted. Nothing can be more embarrassing than seeing people ‘fidget’ in their seat.

7)     Call out people at the event. This is a great way to engage the audience. Highlight your key customers, partners, employees, etc. at the event.

8)     Show community pride. Focus on programs where you give back to the community and highlight your focus on making the region a better place for everyone.

9) Engage the audience and your team. Ask your team to stand up and be recognized, ask everyone in the room that does business with you to stand up, put a raffle ticket under a few chairs, have a drawing, etc.

Content Delivery>>

1)     Being in front of hundreds of business leaders is a unique opportunity. Use this time wisely. Practice your speech in front of a mirror, in the car, in front of your spouse, friend, or mentor. Use your phone and run a video of yourself. See what you need to improve, what words you say too much, etc. Get familiar with the content and memorize it so that it becomes your own.

2)     Be yourself! Let your personality shine. Now that you know the content, you can add your personality in the message.

3)     I will say it again: memorize your speech. Practice, Practice, Practice.

4)     Omit words ‘Um’ ‘Uh’.

5)     If you make a mistake – don’t dwell on it – move on.

6)     Be confident – you got this or you would not be on stage.

7)     Listen to podcasts prior to your speech that inspire you to do your best and learn from the best speakers.

8)     Bring your speech to the podium and print it out in BIG TYPE so you can see it easily from a distance.

9)     Don’t read from the speech verbatim – it will be boring if you do.

10) Once you are at the venue, test the microphone. See how far your body needs to be positioned from the microphone to be comfortable and so the audience can easily hear you. Do a rehearsal to make sure you know where you will enter and exit the stage.

11) Wear clothing that you feel very comfortable and confident in. Watch out for flying jewelry that may fall off if you use your arms often to express a point.

12) Have a small water bottle at the podium just in case you need to take a sip in a vocal emergency.

13) Have someone you trust in the audience critiquing you so you can improve for next time. Don't get discouraged. Speaking in public is the number one fear people have when asked (before death at number five, and loneliness at number seven).

12)  Look at the audience and SMILE, have fun and most of all enjoy!