A Speaker's Template - Click to Enlarge!

This Speaker’s Template gives you the Big Picture.  Your entire speech is on a single page.

It’s a great visual to ‘See’ how the Content of a Speech should be constructed and all the pieces ‘fit’ together.

We think in terms of pictures.  By using icons, images and colors, it’s easy to work on the separate modules of your presentation.

Literally, and physically, the entire speech can be on one page.  This has many advantages over note cards and sheets of lined paper.  Rather than using a Linear Outline Form to develop your talk, this template shows how the parts flow from Title to Close.

This diagram was constructed using Mind Mapping software which greatly helps the process of developing, practicing and delivering a speech.

Use a Mind Mapped Speaker’s Template to Develop, Practice and Deliver your speech and it will be absolutely, positively – No Sweat!

About the Author:
Fred E. Miller coaches, speaks and writes about Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.

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That was the question I asked the speaker I was evaluating at a Toastmaster Meeting.

The reason I asked, was that Michael, the person I was critiquing, possessed the habit of rocking from side to side during his speech.  He wasn’t aware of it, but it was so bothersome I had to mention it.

Michael, like all Toastmasters, was attending the meeting to improve his presentations.  Just telling him what he did correctly wasn’t going to help him get better.  I certainly did mention the positives of his presentation, but ’sandwiched in’ the ‘room for improvement’ advice.

Whether it’s rocking back and forth, jingling change and keys in pockets, or filling dead air space with ‘Ums and Ahs and You Knows’, those distractions compromise the delivery of your message to the audience.

Often, as in Michael’s case, it’s something you’re not aware of.  This is one reason it’s important to have someone critique your talks and/or film yourself so you can see and hear how you present.

Other personal distractions could have to do with your appearance

• A stained shirt or jacket
• Food on your face or in your teeth (I’m not kidding.)
• Too flashy jewelry that sparkles too much.
• Outrageous clothing that ’sends its own message’

There are some preventative measures that can be taken to avoid delivering distractions.

• Empty your pockets before speaking.  No coins or keys = No Jingle!
• Have a friend in the audience quietly ’signal’ you if you start swaying or rocking.
• Put a Post Note on the lectern or on top of your notes or mind map with a reminder .
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before a presentation.
• Practice – Practice – Practice
  • In front of a mirror.
  • In front of friends and family.
  • In front of a camera.
• Look in a full length mirror before coming to the lectern.
  • Check:
    • Clothing – zippers, buttons, for lint & hair
    • Self – hair, face

Eliminate personal distractions when delivering your presentation and your speech will be absolutely, positively – No Sweat!

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one was O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G!

I was in Boston last week and had an opportunity to do some sightseeing.

Around the famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace there were several street performers.

They’re mostly very good.
One was O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G!

The Content of his performance was juggling.
The Great Delivery was what set him apart from the majority of street performers.

I was reminded of Delivery Lessons all great speakers should emulate.

Here they are:

Learn, as I did, from the Street Performer.  Do this and Your speech will be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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They are both communication skills a speaker needs to continually sharpen.

Writing is a great way to develop, and make better, the content of your presentations.

The analogy  is: “If you really want to learn about a subject – Teach It!
The same holds true for blogging.

I know the subject of Public Speaking and Presentations.  I’m an expert in this field.  I’ve practiced and studied it for years. However, each and every time I write a new blog Post, I add to my knowledge of the subject.

My good friend and internet marketing mentor, Russ Henneberry blogs at least four times a week.  Every Post he writes has valuable content.  Over the last year, this activity plus others, have given him ‘Expert Status’ in the eyes of his readers and those who attend his monthly MeetUp, Tiny Business, Might Profits.

That ‘Expert Status’ gets him hired by people who need his internet training and services.  We’d all rather deal with experts, wouldn’t we?

Following his advice, I’ve disciplined myself to publish a new Post every Friday.  Each of them, including this one, pushes me to put my thoughts on paper (virtual paper) and do research.  The research inevitably leads me to finding new information.   Often my findings put in context something I knew, but had not used in my speaking or coached to others.  Russ confirmed the same thing happens to him when writing Posts or preparing lesson plans for his MeetUps.

Blogging is not easy.  It is hard work.  Sometimes very hard work!  It’s Monday, as I’m working on this Post to be published Friday.  I’ve edited it and re-written it more than several times.  I’ll work on it, again, before Friday.  I check and recheck for grammar and spelling errors – and find them.  (Sometimes not all of them!)  That’s the nature of good blogging, and writing in general.

Each time I write it is a learning experience.

If you blog, you are teaching those who read the Posts.  This is my goal.

My Posting teaches the components, parts and elements of a speech.  I focus each Post on a specific subject relevant to developing, practicing and delivering presentations.  If I do that well, you learn and improve your presentations.  If enough people read and benefit form my Postings, I will become an expert in their minds.  And since people want to deal with experts, the next step . . .

Take this advice on blogging and pledge yourself to do it on a regular basis.  Do this and Your speech swill be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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Be In the Arena – Not in the Crowd!

So you give your speech and stumble – BIG DEAL!

Remember what TR said . . .

It’s been a bit over 100 years since President Teddy Roosevelt gave his ‘Arena Speech’, but the message rings as true today as it did then.

The essence of that quote, from the longer talk Roosevelt gave that day (one of my favorites and placed at the end of this blog post), is that it is
far better to have tried and failed, then to have not tried at all.

The ‘crowd in the arena’ watches the battle, but doesn’t benefit as much as the individual actually in the arena – or at the lectern!

Those words are still a great reminder for anyone who needs to remember that life is full of defeats and victories.  We learn from both.  Continue to believe in yourself and your goal of speaking.  Know that each speech can be better than the last.

Each speech is a learning experience, and you will learn each time you present.  The ‘crowd’ wants you to succeed.  They are glad it is you and not them ‘in the arena’.

Far better to be on the stage and stumble, then to be in the crowd and ‘not in the fight’.

Anyone and everyone can be a critic.

And . . .
You could be the only one who knows you stumbled.  Don’t bring attention to this by saying, “Oops!” or “I’m sorry”.

You don’t want to be too polished.  The ‘crowd’ relates better to you as ‘one of them’ if you do make a few mistakes.

Speaking, and speaking again and again is the only way you’ll get better.

We learn by doing, not by watching.

Get into the arena (Stand at lectern)!

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

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This Slide Show and Music will be playing when people enter the room I’ll be speaking in.

What effect do you think it has on them?  My thoughts are that it reminds many of them why they chose to attend.  It preps them for the information I’m going to deliver.

This slide show serves the same purpose an Opening Act does for the Headliner of a Concert.  It’s also what an Audience Warmup Professional does before Oprah, Jay, or David ever steps on stage.

All this ‘warming up’ is before the Emcee steps to the microphone.

Organ playing at the baseball game.  Film clips at football games.  All these warmups get fans in the spirit for the main event.

Getting your audience into the correct ‘mindset’ will jump start your presentation.  Your message to them will be far more effective.

As a speaker, it’s your responsibility to make sure this is done.  Don’t rely on the meeting planner or anyone else to do this.  You take charge!

A Tony Robbins Event has great ‘Eye of the Tiger’ type music blasting long before the show begins.  The famous Cirque Du Soleil show have cast members walking thru the audience and performing as guests enter the place.

What is Your ‘Show before the Show’?

If you don’t have one, develop a ‘Show before the Show’.  Do this and Your speech will be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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None of us have the great memories we wish we had.

We’re exercising, walking, driving or maybe just sitting at a coffee shop and an idea for a speech, or a story to make a point in one, comes to us.  We don’t have a pen or paper handy, but we mentally promise ourselves to start working on it when we have the opportunity.  Many times that doesn’t happen because we forget that great idea – Bummer!

Yoga teaches to be ‘Always present and In the Moment’.  This makes great sense for speakers because what’s happening NOW might be potential material for a new presentation or a delivery technique to add to a speech already in your ‘portfolio’.

Great speakers always update their material and consider all the speeches and techniques they ‘own’ to be works in progress.

Too many ideas have gone unused because they haven’t been ‘recorded’ for future use.

The answer: Have a good quality digital recorder always with you.

I recently replaced the one I had for many years.  When it finally wore out and I went almost two weeks without one, I again realized how important and useful these devices are.

The ease of use, quality of recording, and great features make a recorder mandatory for me.  This one, an Olympus Model VN 6200PC, meets all my needs and more.

• It offers several folders so I can put my thoughts into different subject areas.
• It can record for 440 hours.
• It can link to my computer and download the recordings.
• There is a voice activation feature that extends recording time and saves battery life.
• It’s much smaller than a cell phone, so carrying it in my pocket is very convenient.
• There is a large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and Battery life.
• Individual messages can be deleted.
• And other features I haven’t even discovered yet.

Get one of these and keep it with you at all times.  I can’t tell you how many great ideas I’ve had when I was _________ (you fill in the blank.)

Additionally, use it to record, and listen to, your practices and presentations.

Purchase a good digital recorder and constantly use it to record speech ideas.  Then, diligently and regularly put those ideas into your talks.  Do this and Your speech will be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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Do YOU always remember people’s names?
I don’t, and bet you don’t either!

All of us have had this experience:
You’re at a networking event, business show or merely shopping in the grocery store and spot someone you ‘know’.  You ‘know’ them, but at that moment, have a brain cramp, and can’t recall their name.  Then, like I’ve done, you start to panic because they are headed in your direction.  It’s even worse if you, or they, are with someone.  You know you’ll be expected to introduce everyone to each other – YIKES!

This wouldn’t be a problem if  you, and ‘the person you know’ were: in the military, a first responder, hospital employee or a number of other occupations.  This is because they all wear NAME TAGS.  If you’ve ever attended a Trade Show, you’ve worn a Name Tag, and know the benefits they offer.

Unfortunately, most occupations don’t make Name Tags mandatory.  I really wish they would!

Name Tags invite you in, and close the distance between people. Name Tags save people from embarrassing moments ands help expand our relationships and networks.

I’ve written about the importance of arriving early at speaking events to ‘Meet and Greet’ people who will be in the audience.  Talking to a group where there are individuals you’re met goes a long way towards relieving anxiety.  Name tags make the ‘meeting’ much easier.   Addressing someone by name while extending your hand is a quick and great way to meet those who came to see and hear you.  It’s also nice, if your presentation is interactive, to be able to call upon and answer participants by name.  And for those who seek you out after the meeting, you’re a step ahead by saying their name.

For these reasons, INSIST to the meeting planner, or whoever asks you to speak, that EVERYONE has a NAME TAG! In fact, buy Name Tags at an Office Supply Store and bring them, with a bold, black Sharpie Marker, to all events where you will be speaking.

For more about the importance of name tags, visit the site of the recognized expert on this subject, Scott Ginsberg, The Name Tag Guy.

Insist on Name Tags.  Take advantage of them when doing your pre-speech ‘Meet & Greet’, and Q&A Session.  Do this and Your speech will be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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My good friend and internet mentor, Russ Henneberry, is an internet expert.

Russ Henneberry

He develops, and helps others develop: web sites, blogs, email marketing campaigns, social media campaigns, and many other things related to internet marketing.  He really knows his stuff!

Russ holds a monthly MeetUp named, TINY BUSINESS, MIGHTY PROFITS and has established himself as an authority in this area.  Part of his plan for ‘proving his status as an expert’ is the speaking he does at the MeetUps.  They are so well attended, he’ll probably need the seating the Fox Theatre in St. Louis affords in the near future.

From the get-go, Russ connected with his audience on an emotional level.

At his first MeetUp, he announced we would go around the room and give everyone an opportunity to introduce themselves with their elevator speech.  Russ then said, “I’ll go first.”

Here’s what he said:
“I’m an entrepreneur, teacher, son, father, husband, and . . . I’m a Failure.”

No one expected to hear those words.

Russ then went on to explain about a business he had owned and failed.  He elaborated on all the mistakes he had made and how the business had drained him financially and emotionally.

When he uttered that phrase, “I’m a Failure.” it had the same impact on the attendees as when Renee Zelwicker exclaimed in the movie, Jerry McQuire, “You had me at ‘Hello‘”

Everyone in Russ’s audience instantly connected to him on an emotional level.

I can not over emphasize the impact of that statement. Too many times we hear speakers talk about how great they are and their many accomplishments.  They hardly ever mention failure, and consequently, often don’t connect emotionally with their audiences.

Failure is part of life.  We learn more from what goes wrong than what goes right.  When something works the first time we try it, we usually don’t stop and analyze why it worked.  Failing stops us.  And, if we’re smart about it, we try to determine why success didn’t occur, change something, and try, try again.

However, most speakers, and people in general, don’t like to admit their failures, especially in a public forum.

Russ seized the moment, grabbed his audience with his honesty and that ‘pattern interrupt’ phrase, and has held them ever since!

Connect emotionally, as Russ Henneberry does, and Your speech will be: absolutely; positively; there’s no doubt in my mind; no ifs, ands, or buts about it; Your speech will be – No Sweat!

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If You Absolutely Want to BOMB!

1. Don’t practice your presentation.
   1. You’ve given it before – no big deal.
2. Don’t visit the facility before your talk.
   1. Don’t find out what style of seating is in place and don’t rearrange if not best for you.
   2. Don’t check the lighting; natural or in-room.
   3. Don’t find out where the temperature controls are located or who to call to adjust heating and cooling.
   4. Don’t find out where, specifically, the room you’ll be presenting is located.
      1. Don’t place signs directing attendees to this room.
   5. Don’t check the sound system.
   6. Don’t locate restrooms or emergency exits.
3. Don’t ask the meeting planner about your audience.
   1. Don’t ask what they already know about your subject.
   2. Don’t ask what they expect to take away from your presentation.
   3. Don’t ask about their demographics.
   4. Don’t personalize your presentation for the audience.
4. Don’t dress appropriately for the presentation and audience.
   1. Whatever feels comfortable will work.
      1. The same applies to personal grooming.
5. Don’t bring, or have a plan for, an extra projector bulb, projector or backup plan if your computer crashes.
6. Don’t act professional.
   1. Don’t worry about inappropriate language, jokes, gestures, or speaking about taboo subjects.
7. Don’t be concerned about merely reading your speech or using verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
8. Don’t check props you will be using and don’t put them out of sight after their use.
9. Don’t stick to the subject matter you’re scheduled to talk on.
   1. Talk about whatever comes to mind regardless of the audience’s interest.

Look at the above list.  Plan on using two or three of the items.  I Guarantee – You WIll BOMB!

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