Speakers Guide

Some tips for public speakers:

• Remember to smile. Breathe into your lower lungs – if you want a relaxed audience you must be relaxed.
• If you suffer from nerves remember that your anxieties exist only in your own mind. Since you created them you have the power to dispel them.
• Pretend you are just talking to someone at the back of the room, having a friendly conversation.
• Find things about people in the audience you really like. Ooze warmth and good vibes.
• Do not read from a script word-for-word (the audience will find this style boring and you won’t be invited back).
• Bring a list in point form.
• If you forget to mention something it probably does not matter. No-one will know.
• Avoid saying ‘um’ or ‘ah’ – listen to recordings of your previous talks
• Never apologise for any aspect of your presentation, it really does not look good.
• Show enthusiasm and display some animation.
• Dress professionally – if you want to be taken seriously dress a little ‘up-market’, or at least good casual.
• Turn off your mobile phone.
• Talk as if you are having a conversation with someone, relax.
• Don’t try to cram too much into your talk. Keep it simple.
• Show a little humour and remember to smile.

Remember the old public speaking formula:

1. Outline what you are going to say.
2. Say it.
3. Summerise what you have just said.

The most common trap

Is trying to cram too much in. Your talk can only ever be an outline or conversational introduction. This is not the place to tell people everything. No-one knows or cares that you missed something. Audiences generally have a short attention span – use it wisely.

Your purpose

Is to direct people back to your stall after your talk so that you can continue the conversation and promote your business. 

To do this you must finish early or at least on time so that you can engage people without obstructing the next speaker.