Time is money and when speaking in public having
a clear objective is even more important with
business talks.
The key question is - what is the purpose of your
presentation? What do you want to achieve?
Do you want to inform, persuade, inspire,
entertain?
Make the context crystal clear. Spend a long
time considering your subject and gathering
appropriate material that will punch your key
messages home. How long will you be speaking for?
What is your place on the speaking programme?
Do you have to tie in with someone else's
contribution? Consider the number of people in
the audience and the auditorium itself - who'll
be there - and who they are? Could they have an
impact on your speaking career?
What visual aids equipment will be there? (or do
you want to be there)? Know how to use it
properly - and carry spares! Liaise with the
organizers and make sure that there are no loose
ends on the day.
Get the sequence of your talk right. Would an
agenda help? You will need a logical and '
signposted' structure with a definite conclusion (
do not leave it in the air!). Have a strong
opening with impact, something that the audience
will remember long after. Similarly, the ending
should be memorable. Research shows that your
audience will probably remember the beginning and
the ending if they are delivered convincingly.
Establish your audience's level of knowledge by
research before the event. The army has an
interesting saying: ‘Good reconnaissance is
never wasted.' Ensure you adapt your
presentation to their level of knowledge and
interest.
Involve your audience right at the start -
including getting their agreement to your key
messages early. Win them over. Smile, talk of 'we/
us', and never talk down or patronize your
audience.
Keep them awake. It's better without a written
script (unless you have to). Aim for variety of
voice - word pictures can be highlighted within a
long talk - visual aids, maybe (with pie charts
rather than tables) or break it up with a 2-man
act.
Circulate handouts before the event, not during.
Or tell them at the start if they'll get notes at
the end. Be prepared for questions. Note and
remember who asked the question. Remember to
repeat the question before answering in case
somebody in the audience didn't catch the
question.
If you don't know the answer - never flannel – it
will show!
There are three keys to success: preparation -
preparation - preparation.
Explore all three in great detail and you will
probably succeed in your assignment.
About the author:
Vince Stevenson is one of England's greatest
speaking enthusiasts, having competed for and won
many prestigious competitions. Vince is involved
with speaking at many levels and has just
finished his year as District President of the
South-Eastern District of the Association of
Speakers Clubs having been involved in its
educational development for many years. Vince is
a founder and lead trainer at the College of
Public Speaking.
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