Public Speaking Tips

Public Speaking and  Your Audience

sofia@speak2us.com.au

Never Apologise. For example, never ever begin your presentation with "I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous and I haven't had time to prepare."

Instead, smile and say something lively and encouraging like "I'm delighted to be here to tell you how we have anticipated your needs and ..... 

Forget about you.  Concentrate on them.  Speak naturally - chat to the audience a you would over coffee. They'll love it.

Present your information in bite-sized pieces by limiting the information to

3 key points.

Learn to "read" your listeners so that you can tailor your message if necessary.

Finish with some form of call to action - or by summarising the key points. 

Leave your audience laughing, thinking, or feeling - but don't just leave them wondering whether you have finished.

Have fun!  Enjoy it and your audience will too! 

Public Speakers' Tips on Protocol

Speak2us Canberra for Public Speaking Tips

sofia@speak2us.com.au

The Speaker's space  is usually a "home base" and one or two points of travel.

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The difference between a podium (small platform for a speaker), stage, lectern (a reading desk)  So when you are MC name the space correctly.

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When introducing a speaker - do a nice build up - if appropriate.  Refer to them but don't use their name until the end.  And, be in control of where you want the applause to happen.  Finish off with the magic words - the speaker's name.

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When introducing a speaker - hand over the space - don't leave it vacant.

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If you are to be introduced - don't take chance - write your own introduction. (And, if you have a name like mine (Sofia Majewski) put the pronunciation in phonetics.  (May-ev-ski.)

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If you are introducing a speaker - consult with them beforehand - find out how they want to be introduced and check the pronunciation of their name.  (Can be very inelegant if you don't and then mispronounce their name.)

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Memorise your opening. Make it Bold/Catchy/Dramatic/Memorable, anything but Apologetic/Boring/Cautious/Dull.

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You can find ways of speaking a short opening sentence and the follow with the traditional "Ladies and Gentlemen"   or try "Gentlemen and Ladies" but not Bette Midler's "Ladies and Germs."

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You must void cliches like "And, now without further ado" or I will put the Public Speaking police on to you.  Others to avoid include "anytime soon", "revert back", "going forward", "cover off" "general consensus" (Consensus is already general)  and "very unique."  (Unique 
is an absolute. It can't be very unique or almost unique or "a bit unique"

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Avoid saying "As I said earlier."  You're lucky if anyone remembers what you said earlier.
Say what?