By Arlen Busenitz, on March 24th, 2010%
When you are preparing a speech, what is your first step? Do you brainstorm a topic, make an outline, or research? Consider this next speaking tip:
Speech Preparation Tip #24: Find your Chris and Prepare the Speech for Chris.
Several months ago I spoke to about 50 energetic jr. highers. As I was preparing, I selected another jr higher in the area whom I’ll call Chris. He was a good representative of the audience I was speaking to. I prepared speech as if I was giving it to Chris. I asked myself several questions. What problems does Chris have? What would keep Chris’s attention? What info will help Chris? I kept asking these questions and prepared a customized keynote for Chris. Yes, audiences are diverse and I did seek to add material to target the whole room because of the various backgrounds of the audience. However, by focusing on one . . . → Read More: Tip #24: The First Step in Writing or Preparing your Speech
By Arlen Busenitz, on March 19th, 2010%
Your speech intro is one of the most critical parts of your presentation.
During these essential few minutes, you want to do three things:
- Grab Attention
- Preview the speech
- Share compelling reasons why the audience should listen to you.
Over the next couple days, we'll be tackle each one of these.
Good Speech Intro Tip #19: Grab their attention with a question, a story, or a startling statement.
Any one of these will get the audience involved and ready to pay attention.
Starting with a Question
Do you remember a time when your were very discouraged or disappointed?
Would this question grab the audience's attention? Definitely, I've used it several times with great success. Three points to remember when asking questions.
First, ask it to one person. Look at one person and ask the question. Second, phrase the question so it is "you" focused. Third, pause after the question to . . . → Read More: Tip #19: How to Write a Good Speech Intro – Part 1
By Arlen Busenitz, on March 5th, 2010%
Three days ago, I heard the great speech coach Patricia Fripp share a speaking tip to make our presentations deliver more punch.
Presentation Tip #5: Put the most important word or phrase at the end of the sentence.
Compare these two sentences.
Persistence is the secret to reaching your goals.
The secret to reaching your goals is persistence.
The second sentence puts persistence, the power word, at the end. This gives more punch to the sentence. Subtle but effective.
For your next speech consider Patricia Fripp’s advice. Skim through your speech, rearrange sentences, and put the most important word or phrase last.
