The Golden Rules of Public Speaking
“Each one of you has the capabilities to become a good speaker.”
1.Prepare like a Samurai
Get to know your audience in depth so start on time preparing. Set a clear goal for your presentation; what is the outcome you want from it. Rehearse using your PowerPoint presentation. Ask for objective feedback of colleagues.
2. Transform your emotions
Smile to your audience and see them as you best friends. Connect with participants before your presentation. Listen to their stories. Now you already have some supporters in the room. If you feel nervous look at them at the start or mention something about the conversation you just had. If that doesn't help see them all sitting on the toilet missing the badly needed toilet paper. If one raises his hand do not ask "Do you want toilet paper"
3. Grab & hold attention
Start with a startling fact or a story that captivates attention. Be dynamic as the Niagara Waterfalls from the start. Show your Passion for the topic. Interact regularly & ask questions to your audience. Show that you love doing this.
4. Be Crystal Clear
Use understandable language and above all avoid jargon if your audience does not know much about your topic. Talk at the right speed otherwise you will get disconnected.
5. Develop an Eagle vision
Look at your audience. Divide the audience into several circles and cover them all. Change when you see they are no longer following you and certainly when people fall asleep. Tell a story or a joke or make a summary. Just clap your hands it will shake them up.
6. Be structured
People love structure in a presentation. So use the famous say-say-say pathway. Focus on the main points. At the end finish strong leaving your key messages clear in the mind of all. To know you have done a great job ask people leaving your meeting "What are the main messages you retained from. Doing this is a crosscheck.
7. Be persuasive
Use persuasive language, smile, be spontaneous and authentic. Tell stories in which people recognize themselves they will love. Connect with the heart of people. So combine ratio with emotions.
8. Use your body
Use your body to reinforce what you are saying. Dare to be different from all other speakers. Show your self-confidence.
9. Stop on time
Start on time but for god sake stop on time. They will love you even when your speech could have been boring. At least you stopped on time.
10. Reinforce your credibility
Prepare for tough questions at the end of your speech. If you receive such a question wait a little bit before replying even when you could answer directly it will increase your credibility.
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Each one of you has the capabilities to become a good speaker. Believe me, I have seen so much transformations from nervous speakers into very good speakers.