Speak Up or Sit Down

Last night the phone rang; my wife said, "I hope it's for you". When I answered, the caller asked, "Ray, would you speak to the Lions Club next month?" First my gut said, "No"; however, my head said, "Do it". So, one month from next Tuesday, I stand in front of 20 men and women as their evening speaker. They will have just enjoyed dinner with before and after dinner drinks. What a group: stomachs full and heads mellow. Just how will I do it?

These guidelines help me prepare, and may guide you when asked to speak publicly

1. Know your audience. When in graduate school, a professor posed this question, "Why this message to these people at this occasion on this .subject?" What will I say to who they "are" about a subject they (and I) care about? The importance and impact of learning all you can about your audience and their reason for inviting you to talk cannot be overlooked. Their reason links you to what matters to them, and the trust they have in you to speak on a subject they care about.

2. Ask the question, "What made them invite me?" I asked this question last night when talking to the woman inviting me to speak. She said, "We want you to talk about the Town's finances". Since I am the chairperson of the Finance Committee in my Town, and our Annual Town Meeting is within a few months, I am their logical source, and this subject interests me.

3. Condense your talk to one sentence. This group wants one question answered,"Will the Town budget cause me to pay more in taxes?". This is a closed-end question, but they want me to elaborate on all the implications. Every speech topic demands more research than you have time to share (remember to limit your talk, in most instances, to twenty minutes). A speech should be facts and stories....facts and stories.

4. Write your talk, but don't read it. The minister of my church writes all of his sermons word for word, but does not read his sermons from the pulpit. Audiences want eye contact, so leave the script at your chair, stand up and speak up. Reveal the content and importance of your message through the voice and appearance of your personality. Even an unskilled speaker comes across well when the expression of their content comes from within. However, know your subject by delving deeply into each facet of your subject. You won't get a chance to say everything you know (nor should you), but you will infer that your knowledge exceeds your statements. This assures your hearers that you know what you are talking about, and they can relax while listening.

5. Tell a lot of stories. Budgets seem as exciting as an Excel spreadsheet. So, I'll tell them stories about what those line items mean to them and to Town employees. Whenever stories get told, emotion gets expressed. People like to think, to ponder, to evaluate, but not on a full stomach. So the facts will be interspersed with many stories. Whenever you speak, unless at a funeral (and even there laughter heals the sorrowing heart), get people to laugh.

6. Know when to speak up and sit down: Most people manage to listen for 18 or 20 minutes. Stomachs full of food washed down with a glass of wine causes minds to nod. So keep it simple by introducing your audience to what you will say, give them the facts (lots of stories), and tell them what you said. Then end it with a purpose driven suggestion. Since our Town needs elected and volunteer officials, I may challenge them to volunteer or take out registration papers for the next election. That ought to wake them up!

Finally, have fun; don't be overly confident if it goes well, or overly hard on yourself if it goes poorly. Every event provides an experience and each experience adds another dimension to your personality. Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD) wrote, "Speech is the mirror of the mind", so be sure to have something to reflect,. Oh, one last point, eat after you talk, and have a drink, if you want, when you get home.

About The Author

Ray Randall is a registered investment advisor with Ethos Advisory Services, http://www.ethosadvisory.com, and he manages Echievements. You may email him or call (877-895-3756).

rayrandall@echievements.com

---

No More Stagefright - Have Fun Speaking!

7 Tips that calm and center you before your presentation:1.... Read More

Speech Writing Secrets Of President Bill Clinton

Speaking in public can be a powerful way to build... Read More

Ethics in Speaking: A Practical Point of View

Often managers have to deliver presentations with unpleasant content. The... Read More

Start Conversations as Easily as You Start a Car

Starting a car is easy. Put the key in, turn... Read More

A Quick Tip for Delivering a Great Speech

Does speaking in public leave you tongue-tied? Do you stumble... Read More

Giving Your Audience Great Benefits

What benefit do you provide the audience?People should listen to... Read More

Talk May Be Cheap but Your Speech Should Be Priceless!

Take a moment and imagine if you will any one... Read More

Public Speaking - How to Make Your Next Speech Count

Along with the opening two minutes of a speech, the... Read More

Speech Tips - Ten Things to Remember When Accepting an Award

Many people are recognised for their work, industry, sporting or... Read More

How To Get Paid Every Time You Speak - REALLY!

For many, speaking or training is a full time business.... Read More

Voice Coaching - Training Your Voice to Give Better Presentations

Picture a cool crisp autumn morning in the wide open... Read More

20 Tips to Becoming a Professional Speaker: How to be a Rising Star

Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting.... Read More

Conversationally Speaking

"Would you like to say a few words?" How many... Read More

Choosing a Hot Keyword: Advice for Aspiring Public Speakers

When choosing keywords, you'll want to stay away from using... Read More

A Simple Guide to Writing (and Giving) a Speech

Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks... Read More

Knowing Your Boundaries

While delivering a speech, it is clear that we will... Read More

Getting on the Speakers List

How do you get your name on a speakers list?Speaking... Read More

How to Create a Compelling Media Kit

A well-built media kit is vital for effective marketing. Without... Read More

Know Your Audience

What is worse than wearing a tuxedo to an event... Read More

Foreign Translations of Your Talk - How Do You Ensure Your Message is Delivered Properly?

There are a number of possibilities as to how this... Read More

Speak With E?s Part 2

"Educate, Energize, Entertain, and provide an experience for your audience"1.... Read More

Is Information Delivery Instruction?

Do you work for one of those organisations whose "training"... Read More

Speak in Public! Who Me?

The first time I had to speak in front of... Read More

Demand Dignity in Public Speaking Training

Mandy*, a bright, attractive professional woman, had a fear of... Read More

Tips For Keeping Your Cool Before Your Presentation

Stretch to relax. Rise on your toes and reach for... Read More

10 Tips for Better -- and Less Scary! -- Public Speaking

The fear of speaking in public is well-documented, often discussed,... Read More

Lose Stagefright Over Your Lunch Hour

While teaching a two-day Speaking Confidence program to a group... Read More

How VALUABLE is Your Speaking Topic?

What information can be used immediately by the audience and... Read More

Speech Training - Building Your Voice, Tips from a Professional

Having a clear and confident voice is an essential business... Read More

The Top Four Ways To Get Audience Involvement In A Presentation

In the thousands of speeches I've heard very few presenters... Read More

Get Speaking

On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend 'graduate'... Read More

To Insure Success in Speaking: Anticipate

We all know that to be a careful driver on... Read More

Let Your Appearance Speak for You, Not Against You!

Every 7 seconds another baby boomer turns 50. What does... Read More