Public speaking instruction often focuses on eye contact, voice projection, and what to do with your hands while you’re talking. Equally important to mastering these physical techniques is developing and deploying good and original content. As an executive speech coach people ask me, “What do I talk about?” “How do I start my speech?”
Listen for interesting and unique content in your day-to-day life. I have found it many times in conversation. As a member Speakers Roundtable and a past president of the National Speakers Association I am frequently with my speaker friends. In the middle of a conversation I will ask, “Do you ever say that in your presentations?” The response is often, “No.” And then I say, “You should! It’s better than your content.” This is because what you say to entertain and engage your friends is exactly what an audience will love.
Powerful openings are sometimes waiting to be discovered within your existing presentation. Recently, I had the honor of speaking at the Institute of Management Consultants Convention where I was impressed by a presentation from a woman named Charlotte. I was in awe that anyone could be that smart! Two-thirds into her presentation, I heard and wrote down an ideal opening line – and it came in the middle of her presentation. She said, “Can you imagine being raised by a mother who always said, ‘Charlotte, it is simply immoral to not use all your talents!’? At age six my mom had no idea she was defining my career choice as a consultant.” Though her presentation was already successful, here was an opportunity to add additional impact by taking this vignette from the middle of the speech and using it as the opening.
Record your presentation and analyze your words to see how you might restructure to make the most of original and compelling content.
If you need to improve your presentation skills, why not join me in Las Vegas for the Lady and the Champs Speakers’ Conference February 22-23, 2014? I team up with my World Champions’ Edge partners Darren LaCroix, Ed Tate, and Craig Valentine. As an executive speech coach, my clients include corporate leaders, celebrity speakers, well-known sports and media personalities, and sales teams. You can learn many of the public speaking secrets I share with my executive speech coaching clients at Fripp events and through my DVDs, CDs and digital downloads.
Create Your Keynote by Next Week CD program demystifies the process of developing a keynote presentation. This step-by-step program is distilled from years of wisdom gained from coaching professional speakers, executives, and sales teams. For more information visit: https://fripp.com/store/speakers/create-your-keynote-by-next-week/
For more information on upcoming public speaking and presentation skills events that are open to the public visit: https://fripp.com/public-speaking-events/
Learn effective presentation skills, and perfect your business presentations through CDs, DVDs and digital downloads: https://fripp.com/store/public-speaking/
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp is hired by individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
