Public Speaking

Preparation

• Identify your audience.

• What is the goal of the speech: persuade? Inform? Inspire/entertain?

• Write an outline first.

• "Let me tell you a story." Stories are more memorable than facts and numbers. Good stories contains conflicts and creativity.

Open

• Develop credibility: show confidence and competence (two key details in your background on the subject matter)

• Five cold openings:

  • ask an open-ended question;

  • begin with a story;

  • begin with a bold statement;

  • tell the audience to imagine something;

  • begin with hard evidence (Must be credible).

• Common opening mistakes:

  • start with something trite;

  • clear the throat;

  • highlight technical/personal insecurities.

Handle tech mishaps

• Over-prepare: always bring backups - laptop, remote, etc.

• Know the material well so that you could speak without the slides.

• Last move: get the audience involved in the problem.

Close

Q & A

• Let your audience know how you'll handle Q&A. Jump-in anytime (small group) or a dedicated time.

• Hold your Q&A near the end, not at the end. "I have a one final thought to leave you with, but before I do, I'll open up the floor for questions." This handles the no-question scenario, and you'll have the control of the final words.

• Repeat the question when the room is large.

• Keep the answer brief. If you can't answer the question within one minute, say so. "It's a complicated question, and a comprehensive answer might take an hour. I'll give a shorter answer, and in the interest of time, I'll take another question."

Closing words

• Rephrase the title.

• Summary: key takeaways.

• A relevant quote. Make sure that the audience likes the author.

• Personal tagline: for repeated internal presentations to the same audience.

• A call to action.