Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking
by Sandra Schrift
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TITLE: Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking
AUTHOR: Sandra Schrift
CONTACT: sandra@schrift.com
COPYRIGHT: ©2006 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved
Format: 60 Characters per line
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Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking
Whether you want to be a part time, full time or BIG time
speaker you must speak, speak, and speak. At first, deliver
25-30 minute free talks to service clubs and community
organizations. Consider it to be your off-Broadway tryout. A
great opportunity to fine-tune your program…and maybe get
some future paid business!
Do the following to put yourself at ease when delivering
a speech:
1. Your speech needs a beginning, middle, and end. You must
grab your audience's attention in the first minute…so begin
with a starting comment, question, story, or humor. End your
speech on a strong note by asking a question, providing a
quote, tell a story or leave them laughing.
2. Every 5-7 minutes, back up your facts with signature
(about you or others) stories. Stories are out there -
everywhere. Find them in the stores, at restaurants, on the
airplane, at home. People retain information better when
hearing a story.
3. Practice your speech out load. Record it on to a tape
recorder and/or video camera. Also do this when giving a
program to a live audience. Do it every time!
4. Practice pausing before and after important points. Don't
be afraid to leave open space. The use of silence is a key
requirement to becoming an effective speaker.
5. Use direct eye contact. You can focus on one person when
making a point…and everyone else in the audience will think
you are speaking to them also.
6. Don't just stand behind the lectern: move around,
gesture. Be animated. (Fifty-five percent of how people
perceive you is by body language; 38 percent by your voice;
7 percent by your words)
7. Smile a lot. Be enthusiastic about what you are saying.
And have fun.
New! Do you want to learn how to give a compelling speech?
Would you like to know what sets leaders apart? Are you ready
to prepare a speech that hits your audience's hot buttons?
Now you can. Buy the audio CD (available as an MP3 download).
"POWER PRESENTATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS" at
http://www.schrift.com/Power_Presentations_for_Professionals/
coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to
"grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with
business professionals and organizations who want to
master their presentations.
To find out How to Become a Highly Paid Professional
Speaker, go to http://www.schrift.com/ProfessionalSpeaker/
Join my free bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine
http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm
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