A 9 Step Cheatsheet for Becoming a Public Speaking Expert

A 9-STEP Cheat Sheet FOR BECOMING A PUBLIC SPEAKING expert Public Speaking can be one of the most fear-inducing parts of modern life, but if done properly it can also be the most rewarding. Talking in front of an audience is nothing to be afraid of, so long as you're prepared. This infographic will give you everything you need to plan, prepare and deliver the perfect public speech. PLAN REAL SPEECH R RELEVANT to your audience E ELOQUENT present using clear language A ARTICULATE well thought-out and expressed I LEARNED be an expert WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY WHAT YOUR RELEVANCE AUDIENCE IS INTERESTED IN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TITLE Helps the speech stand out on a Unimaginative title obably an unmagrative speech t Noncommittal title prospectus Probably a cVOLar spoch Esoteric title ( don't even know whar the ean. Raises audience Very Inerest wil imte title expectation Quite vague title Probably has no conclusiore to draw. Last years title avan't/ seen ne anady? Gives you focus WHAT TO INCLUDE INSIGHTS examine subject from different angles and offer a unique opinion FACTS AND FIGURES you're the expert - offer things they don't know EDIT, EDIT AND RE-EDIT expand but don't fill www waffle ndun - disapproving Talk or writing that uses a lot of words but does not give ang useful information: "What did he say? "Oh, it was a load of waffle nothing important at all." wordage without waffle Lane el th a erl e RELEVANCE make sure the audience see the benefit of the talk KISS AND TELL PREPARATION KISS (keep it simple, stupid) You know your subject; you'll lose those who don't Don't assume all are experts. A simple speech, easily understood, is a winner TELL Tell what you are going to tell (first 2 minutes) Introduction Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Tell it (main body of speech) Split into three linked segments (sub-divided if necessary) Wrap up and conclusion Tell what you have just told (final 3 minutes) As a rule, simplicity of language marks superb speechmaking Çimon Gebag Moutefiore Spooches that changod the World (Quorcus, 2005) 9 GUARANTEED WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT A DRAMATIC, SHARP OPENING WITH CHALLENGING QUESTION "Everybody close your eyes. Now raise your hand if you've ever been rude to someone." VERB AT ŞENTENCE BEGINNING "Let's discuss rudeness in jokes, and particularly public speeches. Try not to use sarcasm. Listen closely, and l'll tell you why..." 3 USE STRIKING ADJECTIVES AND METAPHOR "If you don't have the audience eating out of the palm of your hand, using incredibly dry humour might build an unbreakable wall between them and your presentation." IF APPROPRIATE, PRESENT AS STORY - NARRATIVE CAN BE DRAMATIC AND ENGAGING "Sarcasm does have a place in the world. There's a legend of a great war between Athens and the city of Laconia..." a MAKE GEOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL COMPARISONS "An envoy from Athens was sent to Laconia with a message. He said 'If we take this city, we'l burn it to the ground'. The Laconian king replied simply: 'If'." OCCASIONAL SHORT, SHARP AND WITTY QUOTES, ANECDOTES, PUNS AND SELF-DEPRECIATING HUMOUR "Ultimately, it's like Oscar Wild said: 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" + USE CONTRASTS "On the one hand, you might feel clever. On the other hand, you'll appear pompous" OCCASIONAL REPETITION, ALLITERATION AND PAUSING "Say it with me, and say it loud: Sarcasm Sucks!" 9 ADD ATTENTION SEEKERS AND THREE-PART LISTS "Listen closely: If in doubt, avoid the 3 speech killers: Rambling, Clichés and Sarcasm." 4 ESSENTIALS FOR 24HRS BEFORE THE SPEECH Rehearse well until you're familiar with it – but don't OVER practice, or it will sound unnatural Memorise opening and closing only Relax on the evening before the talk Take a short walk away from everything 3 hours prior Drink liquid (caffeine free) 12 and 2 hour before presentation and then go to the toilet prior to the speech Check for clothing disasters Bonus Pro-Tip: Stand in the Wonder Woman pose. This is an 'Alpha' pose and is scientifically proven to lower cortisol (the stress-inducing hormone) and raise testosterone (which boosts confidence). Find a private place and hold the position for 2 minutes. 9 TIPS FOR TAKING THE STAGE Exude Adopt a 'ready' and 'controlling' position confidence Look across Pull shoulders your audience back and down Tighten Hands at stomach in and chin up slightly your side Feet approximately Pause before shoulder-width starting apart, legs relaxed Toes pointing towards the centre-back of room 10 TIPS FOR SPEECH DELIVERY 7-2 Everybody makes mistakes - never Maintain constant audience eye apologise for stumbling contact throughout Maintain consistent Use hands, enthusiasm for but no manic your subject and audience waving If on a podium, speak clearly and slowly to microphone If mobile, move around to capture attention Alter your delivery speed and volume Add the occasional pause for effect 10 Don't speak for too long International audience? Beware of acronyms, idioms and jargon SOME TOP TIPS FROM THE PROS Public speaking tips from Sofie Sandell, author of Digital Leadership How Creativity in Business Can Propel Your Brand and Boost Your Results If I am making an important speech I always go through my structure as a story. Stories also add authenticity. It makes it very easy to follow and undersland. I also seek experl feedback when planning a speech. You can also think of a speech as a journey: A few stories and points of wisdom Take off and intro Summary, landing (make people feel good about what they just heard) (a nice intro helps your audience relax) I love to chat with some people from the audience before I go on stage, then I know more who they are and what they do. It's a great way to create a better connection. This is a trick I learned from a singing artist. One tip l'd give to people giving speeches: Your posture will in many ways determine how your voice sounds. Iimagine myself diving into the back of the room and then my posture correct itself and I also connęct better with the people in the back of the room. Public Speaking Tips from James Bannerman, author of Genius! Deceptively Simple Ways to Become Instantly Smarter It's not uncommon for someone giving a talk in Business to 'accidentally' lose their audience the moment they read something out from hand-held notes. When the majority of Speakers read out information from hand-held notes during a talk they usually do the following with their eyes. They look DOWN - UP - DOWN. A bit like this... Down at what they're going to săy Up at their audience to check they're still there Having lost their train of thought - down at their notes again Experts on Presentation Skills, however, suggest we reverse this process and look UP - DOWN - UP instead. Audiences tend to listen most at Ihe beginning Wandering off in the middle And lune back in for the end So with the first option, all the audience is likely to see is a man talking to a piece of paper. Consequently, they feel disconnected and 'switch off'! With the second option, however, what the audience sees is a speaker who not only makes a lot of eye contact with them throughout, but also appears to know their speech off-by-heart (because they're looking at the ceiling or out of the window when the speaker's actually looking down at their notes). 3 WAYS TO MAKE A SPEECH MEMORABLE AT THE END Finish on a strong statement - refer back to the speech's theme Any questions? And d Scot gan Azed d on to 5o th Make the speech available (either slide notes or a recording) people ry ooe purs She Pope, the pe the Pre h ew eo peoele 2ngons or he phte was a n the Presidtp wok Whet te or Deley d of one d agood arou d e to the whole woe Cheat Cheet FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING LONDON SPEAKER BUREAU.coM