Cheatsheet for Public Speaking

A 9-STEP Cheat Sheet FOR BECOMING A PUBLIC SPEAKING

expert

Down at what they’re going to say

Up at their audience to check they’re still there

Having lost their train of thought - down at their notes again

Audiences tend to listen most at the beginning

Wandering off in the middle

And tune back in for the end

3 WAYS TO MAKE A SPEECH MEMORABLE AT THE END

Summary, landing (make people feel good about what they just heard)

A few stories and points of wisdom

Take off and intro(a nice intro helps your audience relax)

SOME TOP TIPS FROM THE PROS

How Creativity in Business Can Propel Your Brand and Boost Your Results

If I am making an important speech I always go through my structure as a story. Stories also add authenticity. It makes it very easy to follow and understand. I also seek expert feedback when planning a speech.

You can also think of a speech as a journey:

I love to chat with some people from the audience before I go on stage, then I know more who they are and what they do. It’s a great way to create a better connection. This is a trick I learned from a singing artist.

One tip I’d give to people giving speeches:

YYour posture will in many ways determine how your voice sounds. I imagine myself diving into the back of the room and then my posture correct itself and I also connect better with the people in the back of the room.

Public Speaking Tips from James Bannerman, author of Genius! Deceptively Simple Ways to Become Instantly Smarter

ItIt’s not uncommon for someone giving a talk in Business to ‘accidentally’ lose their audience the moment they read

something out from hand-held notes.

When the majority of Speakers read out information from hand-held notes during a talk they usually do the following with their eyes.

They look DOWN - UP - DOWN.

A bit like this…A bit like this…

Experts on Presentation Skills, however, suggest we reverse this process and look UP - DOWN - UP instead.

So with the first option, all the audience is likely to see is a man talking to a piece of paper. Consequently, they feel disconnected and ‘switch off’!

WWith the second option, however, what the audience sees is a speaker who not only makes a lot of eye contact with them throughout, but also appears to know their speech off-by-heart (because they’re looking at the ceiling or out of the window when the speaker’s actually looking

down at their notes).

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9 10International audience? Beware of acronyms, idioms and jargon

Don’t speak for too long

Alter your delivery speed and volume

Add the occasional pause for effect

If mobile, move around to capture attention

If on a podium, speak clearly and slowly to microphone

Use hands, but no manic waving

Maintain consistent enthusiasm for your subject and audience

Everybody makes mistakes - never apologise for stumbling

Maintain constant audience eye contact throughout

10 TIPS FOR SPEECH DELIVERY

Adopt a ‘ready’ and ‘controlling’ position

Exude confidence

Pull shoulders back and down

Tighten stomach in and chin up slightly

Hands at your side

Feet approximately shoulder-width apart, legs relaxed

Toes pointing towards the centre-back of room

Look across your audience

Pause before starting

9 TIPS FOR TAKING THE STAGE

4 ESSENTIALS FOR 24HRS BEFORE THE SPEECH

Rehearse well until you’re familiar with it – but don’t OVER practice, or it will sound unnatural

Memorise opening and closing only

Relax on the evening before the talkTake a short walk away from everything 3 hours prior3 hours prior

Drink liquid (caffeine free) 1½ and ½ hour before presentation and then go to the toilet prior to the speech

Check for clothing disasters

Bonus Pro-Tip:Stand in the Wonder Woman pose. This is an ‘Alpha’ pose and is scientifically This is an ‘Alpha’ pose and is scientifically proven to lower cortisol (the stress-inducing hormone) and raise testosterone (which boosts confidence).

Find a private place and hold the position for 2 minutes.

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9 GUARANTEED WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT

A DRAMATIC, SHARP OPENING WITH CHALLENGING QUESTION

“Everybody close your eyes. Now raise your hand if you’ve ever been rude to someone.”

VERB AT SENTENCE BEGINNING

“Let’s discuss rudeness in jokes, and particularly public speeches. TTry not to use sarcasm. Listen closely, and I’ll tell you why…”

USE STRIKING ADJECTIVES AND METAPHOR

“If you don’t have the audience

eating out of the palm of your hand, using incredibly dry humour might

build an unbreakable wall between them and your presentation.”

IF APPROPRIIF APPROPRIATE, PRESENT AS STORY - NARRATIVE CAN BE DRAMATIC AND ENGAGING

“Sarcasm does have a place in the world. There’s a legend of a great war between Athens

and the city of Laconia…”

MAKE GEOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL COMPARISONS

“An envoy from Athens was sent to Laconia with a message. He said ‘If we take this citHe said ‘If we take this city, we’ll burn it to the ground’.

The Laconian king replied simply: ‘If’.”

OCCASIONAL SHORT, SHARP AND WITTY QUOTES, ANECDOTES, PUNS AND SELF-DEPRECIATING HUMOUR

“Ultimately, it’s like Oscar Wild said: ‘Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit’”

USE CONTRASTS

“On the one hand, you might feel clever. On the other hand, you’ll appear pompous”On the other hand, you’ll appear pompous”

OCCASIONAL REPETITION, ALLITERATION AND PAUSING

“Say it with me, and say it loud: Sarcasm Sucks!”

ADD ATTENTION SEEKERS AND THREE-PART LISTS

“Listen closely: If in doubt, avoid the 3 speech killers: Rambling, Clichés and Sarcasm.”

Speeches that changed the World (Quercus, 2005)Simon Sebag Montefiore

As a rule, simplicity of language marks superb speechmaking“ “

Tell what you are going to tell (first 2 minutes)

Tell it (main body of speech)Split into three linked segments (sub-divided if necessary)

Tell what you have just told (final 3 minutes)(final 3 minutes)

KISS AND TELL PREPARATION

KISS

(keep it simple, stupid)

You know your subject; you’ll lose those who don’tDon’t assume all are experts.

A simple speech, easily understood, is a winner

TELL

WHAT TO INCLUDE

INSIGHTS examine subject from different angles and offer a unique opinion

FACTS AND FIGURESyou’re the expert -

offer things they don’t know

EDIEDIT, EDIT AND RE-EDITexpand but don’t fill

WWWwordage without waffle

RELEVANCEmake sure the audience see the benefit of the talk

Gives you focus

Raises audience expectation

Helps the speech stand out on a prospectus

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TITLE

WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY

WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE IS INTERESTED IN

RELEVANCE

R EAL

RELEVANT to your audience

ELOQUENT present using clear language

ARTICULATE well thought-out and expressed

LLEARNED be an expert

PLAN REAL SPEECH

Public speaking tips from Sofie Sandell, author of Digital Leadership

Finish on a strong statement – refer back to the speech’s theme

Any questions?

Make the speech available (either slide notes or a recording)

LONDON SPEAKER BUREAU.COMCheat Sheet FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

Public Speaking can be one of the most fear-inducing parts of modern life, but if done properly it can also be the most rewarding.

Talking in front of an audience is nothing to be afraid of, so long as you’re prepared. This infographic will give you everything you need to plan, prepare and

deliver the perfect public speech.