Ten
Points of Public Speaking
Several
years ago I had to give a presentation to a customer on the test plan for
software we were delivering. I was poorly prepared, hadn’t practiced at all,
and had no idea what my objective really was. When I stepped in front of the
audience, all I could do was read from the viewgraphs someone else had prepared.
The presentation was a disaster. In fact the project coordinator said he never
wanted to see me on stage again.
Like
it or not, how well we speak in front of others is becoming increasingly
important to our success. We may have to deliver a formal presentation (as I
tried to do), give a report at a staff meeting, sell a product, or explain to
the boss why our project is two weeks behind. For all of these situations, we do
a better job and have an easier time when we know what we’re going to say and
how we’re going to say it. The following ten points will lead to better
preparation and more effective presentations:
1.
Have
a clear, specific message. Your presentation may have more
than one major point, but each one should support the same overall message.
Distill it down to one uncomplicated sentence. For instance, “The company is
going bankrupt if we don’t cut expenses by 20%.” If you can’t state your
message in one sentence, chances are your audience won’t get it.
2.
Target
your message. The
single most important part of any speech is the audience. If you’re not
talking to your audience, you’re talking to yourself. Focus your presentation
on the significance of your message to your audience, on how it will affect
them.
3.
Hook
‘em. The
first thing you have to do with any presentation is to get the audience’s
attention. For instance, you can ask a question. You can tell a story. You can
present a startling fact. The technique you use must be relevant to your
message, and you must make the connection clear to your audience.
4.
Set ‘em. Once
you have your audience’s attention, you need to set the hook. Let them know
why your message is important to them, and persuade them to listen to it.
5.
Haul ‘em in. Follow
through on the promise you made with your opening. It’s okay to leave them
wanting more, but make sure you give them what you implied you would present.
6.
Build
bridges. Lead
the audience through your presentation. Connect your major points with either
logical or emotional bridges. The connection will help them remember what you
said.
7.
Captivate them. Illustrate
your points with stories, dramatic facts, powerful quotations, … Then help
them understand the connection between your points and your illustrations.
8.
Use humor. Humor
is very effective for keeping your audience’s attention. Even a serious speech
needs some relief. Break up the seriousness with humor. Just be sure the humor
is appropriate for the situation.
9. Vary
the mood. Especially
for a long presentation, changing the mood keeps the audience interested.
10. Make it memorable. Finish your presentation by giving the audience
something that will help them remember what you said. For instance, tell a story
that illustrates your message and summarize using that story. Make your ending
easy to remember, make it connect back to your opening, and make it help the
audience focus on your message.
Finally,
remember, however you develop your presentation, the message is for your
audience. Focus your planning, preparation, and practice on delivering something
of value to them. Then your presentation is going to be a winner. Start now to
apply these principles. Don’t wait until someone says they never want to see
you on stage again.
Gordon
Savage 303-646-0547
gordonsavage@msn.com