ARSL2017: How to Be a Great Speaker

Simone Kirk

First tip: have a timer or clock somewhere.
Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking. 75% of people suffer from it. It’s also categorized as a social fear. We fear how people see us.
Simon Sinnick TED Talk: Recommended to watch.

“There are two kinds of speakers. Those that are nervous, and those that are liars.” Mark Twain

1. Recognize that fear is normal and that is in adrenaline. Reprogram your brain and think of it as a positive thing.
2. Preparation: The better the prep, the better your rep. Know your presentation. The more passionate, the more amazing it would be. Go over a scenario in your head, “What could they ask? What is my audience interested in? Do I need to look further into something?”
3. Dress: What do people see? Know your audience. Our job as a speaker is to make our audience as comfortable as possible. “Fake it until you make it.” Your outfit needs to let you move.
4. Lecterns are not good. Get out from it so you can see hands. Know how to speak into a microphone.
5. You-Audience-Subject. What are you talking about? Who is your audience? Chamber of Commerce...business people. What interests them? Do you know them or are they strangers?

Speech Structure Building: Florian Mueck
Opening: Concrete foundation...you have 30 seconds to reel in your audience. Do not waste it!
Go in with something that is not expected.

1. Deliver Great Content: Have a structure to your speech and it needs to make sense.

Use positive rhetoric: Instead of used car, they say “pre-owned.”
Use metaphors: Make your audience as emotionally-involved as possible.
Your reading voice is different than your speaking voice.

What’s Your Story?: Our audience loves stories. Tell them.
Use quotes: Tap into someone’s credibility. Match your theme.

2)  Keep your Audience Attention:
Eye Contact: Do a figure 8 to keep your audience active.
Voice: Do not be monotone. Variation and projection is key.
The art of body language: Keep your body moving, keep your hands visible the whole time.
What you do with your body during your presentation dictates how your brain feels.
Never turn your back.

Types of Visual Aids:
Images, full screen, no reading slides. We are always networking. If you show statistics, know why you are sharing them.

Make it Unforgettable: Do not let them forget.
Tap into some humor.
Be enthusiastic.
Smile.

Have a good closing: End it with a bang. That is your roof of the building.
Go out there and tell your stories.

​