SpeechesBE BRIGHT, BE BRIEF AND BE GONE

Be memorable…..and brightLure them in.

Monotone is basically communications terrorism.

Luckily you have a pulse and a point so act like it.

Have sound structureHave two things: a path and a destination.

They want to know where you’re going and why.

Set the expectation near your opening on what you’ll be covering.

As you write and revise, focus on structuring and simplifying.

Remove anything that’s extraneous, contradictory, or confusing.

Remember: If it doesn’t help you get your core message across, drop it.

Don’t waste the openingShare a shocking fact or statistic.

Tell a humorous anecdote related to your big idea.

Open with a question – and have your audience raise their hands.

Get your listeners engaged early. And keep the preliminaries short.

You’re already losing audience members every minute you talk.

Capitalize on the goodwill and momentum.

The early moments are nirvana.

Use the “right” toneWho is your audience?

What are you doing to reach them?

Have you missed them?

Humanize yourself and your messageYou and your message are one-and-the-same.

If your audience doesn’t buy into you, they’ll resist your message too.

It’s that simple.

Repetition, or emphasis on key ideasThink about the State of the Union.

Can you address all of the issues in society?

No way, so you choose a few and leave the audience wanting more.

This creates dialogue down the road.

And sometimes haters. Haters gonna hate.

Shake it off – Taylor Swift

Transition smoothly, like a bossUse silence or rhetorical questions for punch.

Remind the audience to wake up from time to time by saying things like so, the take-a-ways are or this is something to really consider.

Emphasis.

Passion.

TheatricsUse them if you can…if it’s forced, or worse, awkward, go without.

End stronger than you startedFact is, your close is what your audience will remember.

So recap your biggest takeaway.

Tie everything together.

Share a success story.

Make a call to action.

Don’t hold anything back.

Your ending is what audience will ultimately talk about when they head out the door.

Keep it short…be briefThis is their time, not yours

Be goneDo not use a “thank you” or “any questions” slide.

Do use a contact slide.