10 tips for successful public speaking
Tell stories to keep the attention of your audience.
Most of us have an opportunity to speak in front of a group at some point, perhaps at your industry event, your company’s sales conference or to a local club.
Make the most of your opportunity. Here’s how:
1. Take it seriously. If 200 people are in a room and you speak for a half hour, you are taking up 100 hours of people’s time. I see many speakers “wing it” and it makes me feel sorry for the audience.
2. Know the conference organizer’s goals. When I speak, I work with organizers to accomplish three goals in equal proportion: education, entertainment, motivation. Since I am a paid speaker, I must deliver on all three so the conference organizer is happy he/she invited me. You need to know why you have been invited to be on the podium. How would the organizer define a successful presentation?
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
