Public Speaking Tips

Simple Public Speaking Rules

1. No speech is ever perfect. Perfectionism creates more fear. Do your best and leave it at that.

2. Forget about what you forgot to say. Trust that the audience heard what was needed.

3. Someone has said that you should put ten hours of practice into every one hour presentation. You can, but it's over kill. Practice until you feel like you have 80%, let the other 20% take care of itself. If you know your stuff, you made not need any practice.

4. Make it clear. No rambling. No tangents. The audience should leave knowing your position whether they agree with it or not.

5. Be conversational. No sterile speech patterns. No monotone. Speak like you would to a friend over a cup of coffee.

6. Toss out ego. It's not about you or your acceptance; it's about giving the audience value they can grow from. Too many speakers have their esteem wrapped up in being liked.

7. Stop playing "What if..." What if I freeze? What if I forget?

8. Be you. Chances are high that your friends consider you warm and humorous. No one is against a speaker like that.

9. Use props if they clarify a point. In one of my presentations I have 2 jars on stage. One filled with money. One filled with trash. I get an audience member to crack the trash jar with a hammer. Then we talk about the crap they fill their lives with and the result of that. Then another person cracks the money jar. We talk about how to fill our lives with wealth. Close: "What's in your jar? Nothing you haven't placed there yourself."

10. Get to know the audience. Meet and greet before and after. Get as close to the crowd as possible when speaking. Forget the the podium.

11. Use as few notes as possible. I like a single sticky sheet with my points on it.

12. Your life provides your illustrations. Every experience holds the possibility of an example or truth others can learn from.

13. Don't tell jokes. First, most are not funny. Second, most of the people have heard the lame things. Third, a story of something foolish you did as a child is funnier than any joke on the planet.

14. You don't change lives. People have to take your words and apply them in order for change to result. You are responsible to them, not for them.

15. You become what you think about. Think scared, you'll be scared. Think passionate, you'll be passionate. Trace your feelings and you'll discover they came from thoughts.

16. Your best for this moment is the best you can do. Don't compare yourself to famous speakers. You can learn, grow, and become better, and you should. However, don't allow what you are not at this moment to hide the greatness of who you ARE at this moment.

Warm Regards,

Paul Evans

The Instant Speaking Success Home Study Course. Create and deliver great speeches. Design your speeches and presentations with great content. Deliver with passion. http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/spk.htm