The Thrift Meister offers
his best tips from the three college courses he took on public speaking
along with other worth while tips. They work--speaking as the voice
of experience.
Glossophobia--the fear
of public speaking.
* The Thrift Meister's best tips from
his three public speaking courses in college.
- First tell the audience why they need to care
about the subject and why it is important for them to be informed
on the matter.
- Next tell the audience why you should be trusted
to give them advice or information on the subject--establish your
credentials as an authority on the subject.
- Tell the audience what you are going to tell
them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them. That is three
distinct and different things you are doing.
- Tell the audience what you are going to tell
them: Give them an outline of where you are going--this is like a
series of bullet or main points.
- Tell them: This is the meat of your presentation
and where you spend the most time, get into details, and drill down
into the finer points of the topic.
- Tell them what you told them: Give the a quick
wrap-up or summary of the main points.This will mean that the audience
has heard the main points three times and better allow them to retain
them.
- Save your most important point for last.
- Don't just stand still in front of the audience--walk
around, show them any visuals you have up close--this will help hold
their attention better.
- Make eye contact.
- Change the inflection and tone of your voice
and pause at crucial points to get their attention.
- Don't give handouts to the audience during
the presentation (after is best) they will start looking at what you
pass out and quit paying attention to what you are saying. Once you
lose the audience it will be harder to get their attention back.
- If you are trying to move them to action, tell
them what to do and why it is important that they do it. If you will
see them again--tell them you will follow up with them to see if they
have done it. Be sure to follow up as you said you would.
- If you remember only one thing from this section--make
it--tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then
tell them what you told them.
* Get to the room you are speaking in early and
get familiar with the surroundings and give yourself a chance to feel
comfortable in the room. Mingle with the crowd you will be speaking
to. Don't go into the room you are speaking in for the first time as
yo begin to speak never having seen it before.
* Build slowly by starting out making short talks
in fron of small groups and build into larger groups.
* Know your audience, know what they expect in
a speech, don't try to speak over their heads.
* Practice your speech out loud ahead of time.
* Remember to breath.
* Get a good night's rest before your speech.
* Smile.
