THE KEYS TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

THREE CORE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE ANY SPEECH

1    How do you want them to feel?

Getting people in the right frame of mind is critical as a presenter. Focus on how you want them to feel and what you need to do in order to get them to feel that.

2    What do you want them to know?

There is so much information that you could give them. It’s very important to know exactly what you really want them to know and deliver that information rather than trying to cover everything.

3    What do you want them to do?

Understanding what do you want to do is very important as you need a strong and clear call to action. Otherwise they might be motivated and know what they need to know but won’t take the important steps that they need to take.

STRUCTURE OF SPEECH

-          INTRODUCTION

1    Grab their attention

Make them want to know more about what you are talking about. Use counter intuitive statements, shocking statistics, interesting story

2    Introduce the main idea

Explain it clearly and briefly

3    Pace the audience

Demonstrate similarity with the audience by saying things that you know are true for the audience. This will make them believe that you understand them so they are more likely to keep listening to and believing you.

-          BODY

1    Make your point

2    Give examples or stories

Use stories or examples to act as a proof for your point

3    Defend your point

Look at the other side of the argument and explain why it isn’t true and why your point is valid

4    Repeat your point

-          CONCLUSION

1    Review your message

Looking back at the message you’ve given, hoe useful it is and what they need to do in the future

2    Finish memorably

The primacy effect suggests you are more likely to remember what’s at the beginning. The recency effect suggests you are more likely to remember what is at the end.

(source: NLPConference 2013, Owen Fitzpatrick)