, ,

Why NOT start a speech with "Good evening"

-- Mariah Burton Nelson (Mariah@MariahBurtonNelson.com)

What does the audience hear when the speaker says "Good evening"?

"Blah, blah, blah."

If the speaker then proceeds to thank the introducer, the committee, the... see what I mean? I don't even want to finish that sentence, because I'm going to lose your attention -- just as you will lose the audience's attention if you drone on and on, thanking people.

I call this the Blah Blah Blah Opener. The audience has sat through this opening so many times, they literally won't hear you; they'll just wait (if you're lucky) for something more substantial to come along.

Don't bore your audience to death before you've even hinted at your main point. Did Abraham Lincoln open with, "Greetings ladies and gentlemen. I'm so glad to be here in Gettysburg"? No.
He dove right in: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." How can you not keep listening after that?

I know: You want to -- and need to -- thank people. But you can thank people toward the end of the speech, when the audience has already enjoyed a rousing call to action, or a poignant story, or an intriguing new theory, or whatever the speech is intended to convey. At that point, a few "thank-you's" don't detract from anything, because the "anything" is almost over.

How, then, should you open a speech, if not with "Good evening. I'm so glad to be here in ______, and I'd like to thank blah blah blah"? Say something interesting instead! Make a provocative statement. Challenge the audience to think about, or do, something new. Promise them you'll soon reveal the answer to some mystery -- or otherwise build suspense. Tell a lighthearted story about someone the audience knows well. Describe your morning -- if you can make it funny and relevant. Ask a question -- a real question that you're curious to see how the audience will answer, so you can get to know them better.

All of these openings will immediately signal the audience that you're NOT going to be a typical boring speaker, and that they're in for a treat.

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here," said Lincoln at the dedication of that Gettysburg battlefield. As it turns out, he was wrong about the world forgetting what he said. We do remember. Good thing he didn't start with a Blah Blah Blah Opener or the audience might never have heard the rest!

,

Speech triage — 5 questions to ask yourself to prepare a presentation quickly

Here’s a quick and effective method for preparing a presentation when you're under the gun and can't spend a lot of time brainstorming.  Ask yourself the following 5 questions: >>>

, , ,

Improve your Public Speaking – 4 Tips for Using Evidence

Many tools can be implemented for success in delivering your speech, whether you are giving a speech to a public audience, talking with members of a company board meeting, or simply offering a sales presentation. Such tools comprise explaining detailed examples, designing statistical charts, in addition to providing influencing testimony. Below, we will add another public speaking skill to the list and explain four special tips for using “evidence” in a influential speech.

more ...

How to Write an Inspiring Speech

Do you want to inspire people? Do you have a burning desire to share your life experiences and tell your stories so that other people can benefit? If so, there are a number of things to consider when writing an inspiring speech.
read more ...

,

Opening your presentations

Bert Decker has a great post he has called "Six Do's to Open Your Presentations".  Very useful tips and his message is to "take advantage of your opening." Well worth reading

http://adjix.com/4bx3

, ,

Timing your ending is critical in speeches and presentations

Seth Godin says ...

I'm sorry, we're out of time

What do you do when the deadline looms?

I often hear blowhards on the radio, wrecking the entire interview because they don't know how to call it quits when the host tells them they have thirty seconds to wrap up. They try to say one more thing, one more thing, one more thing and they get hung up on and the message is lost.

I often hear presenters who always manage to need just two more minutes than the time allows.

Read more ... http://adjix.com/3i6h

 

,

The great openings series: Use an activity that is pertinent

Using a pertinent activity as an opening gets the audience's attention because it makes them active. It gives them the opportunity to move physically which makes them more alert and comfortable. It lets them learn and participate with one another. Finally, it put you in charge. That's right, when you cede temporary authority to your audience you get larger in their minds.

Three keys to using a pertinent activity
The three keys to make this work are to organize the activity, set the limits, and debrief the activity strongly and smoothly. Let's walk through an opening activity you might try out.  ... more

,

You will never fit everything in

 

Here is a secret for all speakers:

“You will never fit everything in”

I have seen many presentations where the speaker says “I have three points to share”, and then about five minutes before the end, he says, “Ok, and now my second point…”. This inevitably ends up in his presentation going overtime, or on him rushing through the last two points of his presentation.
This usually happen because the speaker is desperately trying to fit everything in!

The  trick is to realise that you will not fit everything into your speech.

http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/you-will-never-fit-everything-in.html

,

How to make sure your speech flows

It’s very important that your speech have an intrinsic rhythm or “flow”; otherwise, it may come across to listeners as staccato, dull and/or uninspiring. But how do you ensure that your next presentation has a natural cadence that adds to the clarity and energy of the information being conveyed?

Though some people do have a natural gift for writing and delivering speeches that keep audience members spellbound from beginning to end, it’s absolutely fine if you didn’t receive that talent at birth. The ability to create a “flowing” presentation can be learned, and it’s probably much easier than you think.

To begin, try these top seven suggestions for maximum results during your next public speaking engagement:

http://www.publicspeakingexpert.co.uk/how-make-sure-your-speech-flows.html