Tips for Public Speaking

Tips for Public Speaking

• Always Give the Audience Something to Take Home
• Don't Defer Answering Questions. If a question pops up in the middle of your presentation, that’s awesome: someone is listening! So seize the opportunity
• Ask a Question You Can't Answer:Asking questions to engage the audience often feels forced. Instead ask a question you know the audience can’t answer and then say,” That’s okay. I can’t either.” Explain why you can’t and then talk about what you do know
• Fuel Your Mental Engine. Think about the session in future.
• Share a Genuinely Emotional Story: Many speakers tell self-deprecating stories, but simply admitting a mistake is a waste if you only use it to highlight how far you’ve come. Instead, tell a story and let your emotions show. If you were sad, say so. If you cried, say so. If you felt remorse, let it show. When you share genuine feelings you create an immediate and lasting connection with the audience. Emotion trumps speaking skills every time
• Pause for Ten Seconds: Pause for two or three seconds and audiences assume you’ve lost your place; five seconds they think the pause is intentional; after ten seconds even the people texting can’t help looking up. When you start speaking again the audience naturally assumes the pause was intentional... and that you’re a confident and accomplished speaker. A poor speaker abhors a vacuum; only confident speakers are secure with silence. Take one long pause to gather your thoughts and the audience will automatically give you speaker bonus points
• Share One Thing No One Knows:  I’ve never heard someone say, “I was at this presentation the other day and the guy’s Gantt chart was amazing...” I have heard someone say, “Did you know when you blush the lining of your stomach also turns red?” Find a surprising fact or an unusual analogy that relates to your topic. Audiences love to cock their heads and think, “Really? Wow...”
• Don't Make Excuses
• Don't overload your slides
• Don't Ever Read Your Slides
•  Your audience should be able to almost instantly scan your slides; if they have to actually read you might lose them
• Always Repeat Audience Questions:Unless microphones are available, rarely will everyone in the audience hear questions other audience members ask. Always repeat the question and then answer it. It’s not only courteous, it also provides you with a little more time to think of an awesome way to answer each question.
• Always, Always Run Short:  If you have thirty minutes, take 25. If you have an hour, take 50. Always respect your audience’s time and end early. As a bonus, that forces you to hone your presentation – and to prepare to shift gears if your presentation takes an unexpected turn. Finish early and ask if anyone has questions. Or invite them to see you after the presentation. But never run long… because all the good will you built up could be lost.