PUBLIC SPEAKING: So You Want Them to Remember What?

Big speaking opportunity coming up right?  Perfect. I've got one too.  Actually, I've had five on the calendar over the last few weeks.  Had three last week that were quite fun. I'm looking forward to each of the others coming in the next few months ... different audiences .. but for the most part, much the same topic.

The question I always ask myself is this:  What do they really need to remember when they leave?

It seems simple that you'd be able to provide something worthy of their "out the door memory" but it does take some thinking in advance. You hope that people have an emotional attachment to your speaking opportunity.

Here's three things to think about as you work your way through your presentation "punch list."  (I suggest you have one, by the way.)  All are designed to help people with their take away.  I use them all.

1. Narrow the focus first.  Many people think about the time they have to fill instead of the fill they've got for the time.  Time flies when you're in front of an audience and you have to trust that.  So pick the three things you most want to cover in your talk.  Leave it at that.  And be prepared to deviate from your notes - if you need the notes at all.

2. Use words... not sentences for clarity.  For example... at the LPGA these days, we're discussing the word "momentum."  The numbers back it up... but if I can leave them with that one key word... it's easier for them to re-deliver to others. Stats and stories are great... but I'll talk about the word like "momentum" as though its a stand alone thought.  Another word might be... "motivation."  Sales people try to get others with a call to action.  So... lets say I begin my talk with something like this....

"Ladies and gentlemen... I want to talk today about two things... Momentum... and Motivation."  Boom.. they know where I'm going and the rest of the information falls under each category.

3. Talk with a purpose.  Inevitably, every speaker has a plan for their talk.  It will include a few stories... some data etc.  But if you have no passion or purpose in your delivery, it becomes just another talk.  Make it special... be different, be dynamic.  Are you talking at them... or engaging with them?

Are they engaged??  You can tell.

The great thing about a speaking engagement is the fact that you have a speaking engagement. The key again is ... are you engaging??  If not... they probably won't remember why you were chosen to speak in the first place.

Thanks so much for reading this blog... and sharing as well.  I welcome your comments on twitter... and hope you'll share this or subscribe via email on this blog page.    

Thought for the day:  Speakers are a dime a dozen.  How do you become the shiny penny?

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