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No Speaking opportunity is too small:
As a beginner, it’s always best to accept small speaking opportunities
before trying to enroll in the National Speaker’s Bureau.
Starting with small engagements can help you to learn from potential
mistakes and build-up the confidence to address a large group.
There are plenty of volunteer speaking opportunities, such as
the Rotary Club, Toastmasters, colleges and universities, and
religious groups.
Get the Details in Advance:
Do not accept speaking opportunities on subjects that you are
unfamiliar with.
Make sure to request speaking points ahead of time, and
that you understand the organization’s mission and history.
Also, plan to arrive a few minutes early, so that you can mingle
with the audience and double-check audiovisual equipment.
Shower and Car Ideas are Welcome:
Sometimes the best ideas happen in places outside of the cubicle,
like while crooning in the shower, or on the morning drive to
the office. Therefore, keep a notebook with you at all times
to jot down ideas and situations related to your topic and audience.
Develop a list of the things that you feel would benefit your
audience and can serve as strong takeaways.
Leave the Milk Products Alone:
Pop princess Ashlee
Simpson wasn’t totally off when she cited lactose intolerance
as a possible reason for her Saturday Night Live lip syncing fiasco.
It’s best to stick to light meals before your talk (for obvious
reasons) and avoid milk products. In fact, these
products coat your larynx and may cause you to do a lot of errrrr
throat-clearing, so avoid them before the big day.
Open with a Bang:
The best speeches help listeners travel through time and tell
a story. Try planning your speech from the approach of:
“this is where I was;” “this is where I am;” and “this is how
I got here.” Remember, the first 30-seconds of the speech
are crucial for capturing audience attention.
Don't Recycle:
It’s rare that you will be able to recite Martin Luther King,
Jr’s famous, “I have a Dream,” or John F. Kennedy, Jr’s “ask not…”
speeches with the same charisma and conviction that they held,
so steer clear of famous quotes and cliché lines. Many speakers
like to open with industry-related jokes, but remember if humor
doesn’t come naturally then don’t try it on stage!!
Body Language speaks Loud and Clear:
Have you ever seen the speaker hunched over the podium? How about
the speaker who looks down throughout the entire talk? These
are major speaker No-No’s. Stand tall when your name is
called, slowly walk to the podium, take a deep breathe, smile
at your audience and look into their eyes. Don’t be afraid
to remove the
safety blanket of the podium and walk and talk to engage your
audience members.
Remember you are the expert, and it is your job to persuade or
educate your listeners beyond words.
Keep it Concise:
Enough said.
Summarize the Key Elements:
At the end of your presentation, make sure to summarize the key
points. Make sure that your takeaways are clear. For
example, slides or handouts on the future implications of what
you covered in your speech can leave a lasting impression on your
audience, and keep them feeling inspired and energized.
Have Fun (Even when the Projector Breaks):
Okay,
so sometimes computers crash and PowerPoint slides have a strange
way of transitioning themselves, but those are just supporting materials.
People will remember your grace far longer than the details of your
slides. Relax, be yourself, know that you are being called
upon for your expertise, and have fun up there! |
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Client News &
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Congratulations to Spotlight’s client the Massachusetts
Technology Collaborative (MTC) for hosting more
than 300
national and local health care leaders this
month, at its e-Health Conference at the Boston
Convention and Exhibition Center. Keynote
speaker for the event was National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology,
Dr. David Brailer
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