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How to Become a Better Public Speaker

28 May 2015

Joining the speaker circuit may never make your bucket list but there’s a good chance that, at some point, you’ll need to get up and speak in front of a room full of people. Here’s how to make sure you’re memorable for all the right reasons:

1. Ditch the script

The quickest way to fall flat is to write out a script and then try to remember it word for word. Mapping out your ideas is a good plan but use your time to develop the concepts you want to convey and the key points you need to hit during your talk. What ideas and information do you want attendees to come away with? What are your key takeaways? How will you present them? Once you figure that all out start rehearsing and practicing until you feel comfortable with your talk. It’s fine to bring notes with you but make sure you know your stuff so that if you falter a quick glance will be all you need to get back on track.

2. Use visual tools

No matter how compelling a topic may be, just watching someone talk gets old fast. To keep levels of engagement up, introduce interesting visual and audio tools such as slides, videos, pictures and more. Not only will your audience appreciate them, but these types of tools help ensure you hit your key points (and drive them home) and keep your presentation moving forward.
There’s a big caveat here: Make sure your tools enhance rather than make your speaking event. In other words, even if the audio and visual system goes kaput your talk shouldn’t.

3. Work on your delivery

We’ve all sat through presentations given by speakers whose monotone deliveries could lull insomniacs to sleep. Don’t be one of those speakers! Be lively—vary your tone, pitch and pace and watch that your body language is equally engaging. Don’t forget to put yourself into your presentations. People enjoy hearing personal stories and anecdotes. You don’t need to be funny, but you should be authentic.
During a talk, be sure to make eye contact with people and don’t be afraid to ask them questions.

4. Be personable

If possible, spend a little time upfront chatting with and saying hello to attendees. If you don’t already know them, ask their names, key things they’re hoping to learn and anything that helps you get a sense about why someone is there. Later on, where appropriate, you may want to use some of those audience examples to help explain concepts and to make people feel connected.

5. Provide value

People are busier than ever; appreciate that and make the time they spend with you worthwhile. Focus on presenting concepts and sharing information that adds value. For example, offer tips and tools during your talk to help people do something better, be available to answer questions or offer your slides as a presentation follow up.

Chamber members can practice their public-speaking skills at many Chamber networking events, including our ongoing breakfast networking meetings. Or check out Entrepreneurs in Motion (EIM),  a networking group, meets every Friday morning from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office.

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