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At the MarketingProfs B2B Forum in Chicago, Ann Handley and I got to talking about public speaking and the tips we've gathered over the years to guarantee success. We had so much fun comparing notes, that it only seemed right to share my top tips here.
I bet you, too, have accumulated a fair share of worthy words of wisdom. Would you like to share yours? Include them in the comments or send them via email to CBWhittemore [at] gmail [dot] com. I'll gather them all together in one place.
Here are my top 10 tips:
1. Never eat a banana immediately before a speech. For that matter, avoid dairy products, too. Both contribute to a distracting need to clear one's throat during a presentation.
2. Drink lots of water, ideally with lots of lemon [I avoid ice]. Have water with you at the podium. This helps minimize dry mouth.
3. It's okay to feel nervous. Even the most experienced speakers get nervous. Anticipate it and be prepared. Yes, you'll be aware of it, but the audience won't. No one but you will feel your knees shake. If you're worried about tripping on stage, then don't wear high-heels...
4. In the few minutes before the presentation, clench and unclench all of the muscles in your body. Do that again and again. It will help dissipate excess energy. Remember to breathe. If you tend to race at the beginning of a presentation, then consciously make plans to slow yourself down and breathe.
5. Practice, practice, practice. Videotape yourself speaking. Practice some more, especially the parts of the presentation when you feel most vulnerable. If it's at the beginning, then learn the beginning by heart. Understand the rhythm of your material.
6. Project your voice and your presence. If you're not sure what that means, then go into an empty church or auditorium and practice projecting both without a microphone. Try singing, too. Fill the entire space with your voice. That will really help things click.
7. Make eye contact, with every part of the room. Hold contact for a few seconds. If you forget, place boldly dressed friends in strategic places and look at them!
8. Do not read your presentation.
9. Do not clutch the podium. If possible, stay as far away from a podium as you can [except for when you need to drink water].
10. Remember that you are the expert. Express that energy and passion and have fun. You will be contagious. Guaranteed!
Since posting this at Flooring The Consumer, I've received the following additional tips:
11. Be sure to use pauses to highlight points you want to make [hat tip to Valeria Maltoni].
12. Remember to smile and connect with people in the audience [hat tip to Ann Handley].
13. Speak slowly, especially if you are passionate and interested in your topic [hat tip to Gavin Heaton].
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Comments
A couple more:
1 - If you have butterflies, eat a few saltine crackers. It will quickly settle your stomach.
2 - If at all possible, spend time prior to your speech becoming familiar with the environment. Know where everything is and be as comfortable as possible with your surroundings.
Great list and great resource!
BTW love this point about being nervous: "Yes, you'll be aware of it, but the audience won't."
Exactly!
Posted by: Mack Collier | 11.26.07
14. Be yourself. Let your personality shine through.
Posted by: Elaine Fogel | 11.26.07
I like suggestion five, "practice". Speaking is a craft and discipline that one can improve through constant practice. I recommend joining a professional speaking group to fine tune and improve your speaking skills. These groups often offer critical feedback to work out the kinks in voice projection, rate, pitch, hand gestures etc.
Posted by: Paul Barsch | 11.26.07
My old business partner taught me something useful about speaking with a .ppt deck. Just before you move to a new slide, say or ask something relevant/compelling/interesting that ties into the next visual. This approach may not sound like a big idea, I know, but most presenters seem to do the opposite (using the slides to jog their own memory instead of keeping an audience riveted). Make sense?
Posted by: Shelley Ryan | 11.26.07
Mack, love the saltines and the becoming familiar with the environment.
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.26.07
Paul, good point about joining professional speaking groups.
Elaine, absolutely let your personality shine through! Great addition.
Shelley, I like that tip. It makes great sense and helps propel the presentation forward. Thanks!
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.26.07
I like #7 -- "...place boldly dressed friends in strategic places and look at them." I've done this(even if they weren't so boldly dressed at the time).
Ask friends throughout the room to nod and smile at you -- one of the things that always unnerves me is the "blank screen" of an early morning audience, or a tired audience, or an audience that is staring into a bank of laptops... lol. It helps to have the feedback of a friendly face, even if that person is a plant.
Posted by: Ann Handley | 11.27.07
Ann, I will happily be your planted friendly face anytime you need me :-)
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.27.07
That's right! I'll never forget that you were the smiling face in the front in Chicago!
Posted by: Ann Handley | 11.27.07
I'd also suggest wearing an outfit in which you're comfortable. No, this doesn't mean bathrobe & fuzzy slippers. But even the most knockout ensemble can wreck a presentation if you're preoccupied by tight shoes (not to mention tight pants!)
Posted by: Patricia | 11.27.07
Patricia, yes! It's that comfortable, but classy outfit that lets you focus on your message rather than worrying about potential wardrobe malfunctions! Thank you.
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.27.07
CB -- thank you for the hat tip! Patricia makes an excellent point. Beware of wardrobe malfunctions. I remember an article for Italian magazine l'Espresso by Umberto Eco where he described what happened to him when he wore tight jeans -- all he could think about where his pants for a whole day ;-)
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | 11.28.07
I try to mingle a bit with people who arrive ahead of the presentation, especially those sitting in front. I interact with them to learn what they are hoping to hear and to possibly address questions one on one. This also establishes some "friendly faces" in the audience.
Posted by: Doug Meacham | 11.28.07
Valeria, to think that Umberto Eco worries about such things! That is grounding...
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.28.07
Doug, very interesting approach. I understand that Jay Leno mingles with people as they are waiting in line before the show. Also allows him to get some timely input on his material. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 11.28.07
C.F - Never knew about the banana .. guess I'll have to pass on the banana split until after the speech (smile). Seriously, thanks for the post .. great tips.
I take a moment before to remind myself that my purpose is to serve the people in the room and not an ego trip.
Posted by: Toby | 12.03.07
Toby, wny am I not surprised that you take such a grounded approach? Terrific addition. Thank you.
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | 12.03.07