Speaking is a form of service. Whether we are speaking to someone one on one or speaking to a group of thousands, we have the opportunity to serve. Whatever message we have to share, we will be more effective as a speaker when we are other-focused..
It’s the same weather you consider yourself a professional speaker or just occasionally need to share some information with people. Following are a few tips to help you get the word out better.
1. Share information that benefits the listeners.
.It’s always best to match the message with the audience. We want to share information that’s appealing and helpful. So we need to know our audience and share the information in a way they will understand. Making sure it’s a good match will determine the words we choose to use as well as the specific content.
2. Be heard.
A lot of people feel extremely self-conscious speaking in front of a group. Sometimes it makes us want to hide. But we can’t hide and be heard at the same time.
If we are in a group, we should always stand when we talk. It helps the audience identify who is speaking and hear us better. Also, we need to project our voice. That means we can’t let our voice trail off at the end of a sentence because people will miss the last part of what we say. (I was guilty of that one in my first talks.) As my coach says, we should finish each sentence STRONG. Throw that last word to the GROUND.
If you have an opportunity to use a microphone, use it. The whole point is for people to hear you. You have information that will benefit them, so make it easy for them to hear it.
3. Be careful with PowerPoint..
If you choose to use a PowerPoint presentation, remember that less is more. People don’t need to read all your points on the screen. Just a few words to summarize will be more helpful. Or, use an image that conveys the idea you’re trying to get across.
Never rely on the PowerPoint presentation. Often times technology goes awry. Whether it’s batteries for the remote, the projector’s bulb or the connector wire for the computer, we are often left without the means to deliver a PowerPoint presentation we labored to create.
4. Know that you are responsible for the audience’s experience.
Accepting this responsibility will help ensure that we serve our people well. Part of helping people have a good experience is focusing on the positive. If we had a fight with our spouse before we left, we were almost late because of traffic or the projector or sound system is not working properly, the audience doesn’t need to know about it. Let them have a good experience of the information you have for them.
I found that I give my best presentations when I am grounded and centered. Then I can focus on the people and the information that will benefit them. People genuinely enjoy connecting with other people. When the speaker is genuine and authentic, people appreciate it.
5. End on time.
I was at a networking meeting and we each had 60 seconds to give our “infomercial.” A lady stood up and proclaimed herself to be a “professional speaker.” Then she proceeded to talk for three minutes. It was so uncool!
Honestly, it takes a lot of practice and deliberate effort to stay within the allotted amount of time for a talk. I prefer, at least at this point in my speaking experience, to practice my talk three or four times out loud while I time it. The fact is it’s rude to go over on time. It’s disrespectful of the audience and their time. It’s also disrespectful to the host because it affects the timing of the rest of the meeting.
In conclusion…
Keep these guidelines in mind next time you have some information to share. Your audience will get more from it and you’re speaking truly will be a form of service.
