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7. GESTURES. Do not be a statue, consider occasionally exaggerating a gesture. Speaking from a platform is different than holding a one on one conversation. Use your whole body when you speak.
8. CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE. Use a lot of eye contact. Speak directly to individual members of
audience. Do not take your eyes off your audience or focus on a point over their heads.
9. COMMUNICATE CONFIDENCE. Make a conscious effort to project yourself confidently. This is as important as message.
10. WARM UP. Take a few minutes before you begin to warm up your body. Move around and do some vocal exercises to warm up your mouth and your voice.
Pre-presentation do' & don'ts Have a glass of water near you, located in a place that can not easily be knocked over. Do not drink ice cold water since cold water can tighten your vocal cords. Only drink room temperature water.
Use audio visuals only after practicing with technology ten times. Have a couple of lines to say when technology seems to be slowing down your presentation. Have a Plan B in event all technology fails you.
Do not start your speech by using warm-up phrases like "thank you for that great introduction," "gee, it is great to be here." Jump right in with your rehearsed, opening story.
Handouts That Can Get You Clients Always have something to give to audience participants when you speak. Audience members will forget you when you walk out door if they do not have a part of you to take home with them.
o In addition to information on topic discussed, consider giving participants an article you have written on topic. This makes you look like an expert. Always have your brochures and business cards displayed.
o Include a flyer on your upcoming seminars or where you will be speaking next.
o Put your business name, address and phone number on bottom of each sheet of paper you give your audience.
o Many speakers use an evaluation form to ask audience members for feedback on how their presentations can be improved. While you have to be pretty thick- skinned to do this, it can be very helpful.
o Design a sheet asking audience members for their contact information. Consider including qualifying questions to help you determine if you should follow up with an individual. For example "Do you or does your company use (fill in blank with your product or service)?", or "Would you be interested in a complimentary consultation to discuss (fill in blank with your product or service)?"
o To make sure everyone turns in their form, hold a drawing, give away one of your products or services.
o Consider making a special offer good only for a certain period of time for everyone in your audience. Give each person a customized coupon with offer written on it. Or send them an electronic coupon after event.
o Some savvy professionals give everyone in audience a specialty item with their business information on it, such as a pen, a pad of paper or an eraser. You will make friends with your audience members when you give them freebies.
Start with a few of these tips that seem right for you, then add a few more. Speaking is a skill that can take time to develop. The more you do it, more clients it will bring you and, eventually, you will find that there is no place you would rather be than in front of an audience sharing your message.
Caterina Rando, MA, MCC, is a business success speaker, coach and author of the national bestseller "Learn to Power Think." She helps people get the results they want with ease. To find out about her programs, book and other resources, visit http://www.caterinar.com. Caterina can be reached by email at cpr@caterinar.com.
