W Wouldn’t It Be Nice If. . .

Before your presentation, your Audience had specific instructions and training on how to be a Good Audience?

An audience can make or break a presentation.

A good, enthusiastic group gives the speaker responses and energy that lead to a better presentation.

Audiences with individuals who have their own agendas and don’t respect the speaker’s efforts, can disrupt an otherwise, good presentation.  This can lead to, frustration for the presenter, a less than stellar performance, and the audience not GETTING the speaker’s message.

If the speaker has developed and practiced a speech, the audience should follow certain “Guidelines” that give the presenter an opportunity to deliver their message so the audience GETS IT!  They don’t have to agree with all of it.  They don’t have to agree with any of it.  However, unless they GET IT! there can’t be a significant discussion going forward.

To help the speaker, and the audience, I’ve compiled a set of:

Audience Instructions

1. Arrive well before the scheduled event.
• Arriving after an event has started and finding a seat is disruptive to everyone.
2. If you can meet the presenter before their presentation, befriendly and say, “I’m looking forward to your presentation!”  That short sentence gives the speaker added incentive and energy for their upcoming talk.
   • Smart speakers, if possible, Meet & Greet audience participants before the presentation.  They greet people as they enter the room, and thank them for coming.  This activity “connects” the speaker to the participants.  It’s a technique that lowers the speaker’s anxiety and usually leads to a more attentive audience.
3. Sit so that your whole body faces the speaker.  This isn’t a problem if chairs are already arranged in a classroom style.  Sometimes, though, the presentation is after a meal where people are seated at round tables.  It is best for the people to turn their chairs to face the presenter.
4. Be an Active Listener.
• Lean towards the speaker.
• Be able to repeat the last statement the speaker made.
• Make eye contact with the presenter.
• If the speaker asks a question like, “Does that make sense?” Motion your head up and down if it does, side to side if it doesn’t.
• A good speaker should always be taking the temperature of the audience and nonverbal communication is important to them for letting them know if you’re
  GETTING IT!
5. If you want to ask the speaker a question, wait till the proper time.
   • An experienced speaker, in their Opening, will tell the audience how and when they will be handling questions.
   • It’s possible, the question you have, will be answered at a point further in the presentation.
   • Jot it down so you don’t forget to ask if it isn’t covered.
   • Don’t wave your hand trying to ask questions when it’s not the Q&A part of the presentation.
     • It’s distracting to the speaker and others in the audience.
6. When asking a question, be polite in your language even if you disagree with something the speaker said.
   • They should show you the same courtesy.
   • If you have more than one question, give others a chance to ask theirs before attempting to ask another.
7. Don’t talk to others, text, eat, drink, or do anything that could be distracting to the audience or speaker during the presentation.
8. Applaud!
   • It’s the courteous thing to do, even if you didn’t like what the speaker said or disagreed with them.  They have usually worked hard on their presentation and should be applauded (literally) for their effort.
9. If possible, approach the speaker afterwards and Thank Them.
   • Do this even if you disagreed with some of their points.  Most likely, they put much time, thought and effort into their speech.  That should be respected and acknowledged.
   • If there were specific things you gained from the presentation, mention those when thanking them.
   • Following up with a Thank You email or a personal note, and being specific in your appreciation, will always be appreciated

Following these guidelines will insure the audience receives the best presentation the speaker can deliver!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
2. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
3. Remember: NonVerbal Communication Trumps. . . The speaker on the podium says, "I really am...

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St. Louis (KSDK) - It could be a wedding toast or a class assignment in high school or college. Most of us get anxious when we’re asked to talk to an audience.

It’s the number one phobia, called glossophobia. When it comes to talking the talk, many people would rather get a root canal or an IRS audit than make a speech.

Click the video player above to watch the report.

Fred Miller’s book is No Sweat Public Speaking!, and among his tips: people remember the first and last thing you tell them, so Have a strong opening and a strong close to your speech, have confident body language, remember that the audience is on your side and they want you to succeed.

KSDK

Transcript of Interview

Kay Quinn: …or it could be a wedding toast, or a class assignment in high school or college.  Most of us get anxious when we’re asked to talk to an audience, and Art Holliday here has a story about the fear of speaking in public.  75 percent of us are afraid to talk in public.  You and I aren’t — aren’t among those people.

Art Holliday:  The number two phobia is fear of death; but the number one phobia is fear of speaking in public, okay.

Kay Quinn:  Wow.  Can you imagine?

Art Holliday:  It’s called glossophobia. And when it comes to talking the talk, many people would rather get a root canal or an IRS audit than make a speech.

It’s time to talk about talking.

Fred Miller:  Yikes.  Me, speak in front of a group?  Oh, my gosh.

Art Holliday:  Welcome to Cave Springs Toastmasters where an author and a teenage film maker face their fear.

Male1: Very afraid.  I have a big fear in public speaking.

Female1:  You know, I did have a little bit of a fear in public speaking.  But, like, Fred said today, practice, practice, practice.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller is an author who coaches people how to speak in public.

Fred Miller:  If your reaction to a speaking opportunity is more Yikes than Yes, you’re not alone.  Lots of people have a fear of public speaking.

Art Holliday:  Miller says he is used to calming nervous narrators.

Fred Miller:  I’ve coached lawyers, and doctors, and CEOs; coached a bride — father of the bride to be.  I think he started having panic attacks the day his daughter got engaged, thinking about giving that toast to the bride.

Art Holliday:  Even presidential candidates can experience tongue turmoil.

Governor Perry:  I would do away with the education, the commerce, and let’s see.  I can’t.  The third one, I can’t.  I’m sorry.  Oops.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller’s goal is oops for your confidence when you work the crowd.

Fred Miller:  Kind of feel like your naked all alone, vulnerable?  That’s just it.  You’ve got to get used to it.

Female2:  The first speech, oh my gosh, my legs were shaking; and now I ‘m on speech seven and-

Male4:  I’m not very good at public speaking and, plus, I’m very shy.  I just realized well, this is the best opportunity to come here and learn.

Male5:  Thank you Mayor, and fellow Reglinians.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller says you can go from knee-knocking nervousness to a knock-your-socks-off presentation.  All you have to do is–

Fred Miller:  Speak, speak, speak.  If you want to be a swimmer, swim.  If you want to be a baker, bake.  The learning is in the doing.   So, if you want to be a speaker, just get up and speak.

Art Holliday:  Just make sure you hold onto your script.

Now, Fred Miller’s book is “No Sweat Public Speaking!”

Among his tips:

• People remember the first and last thing you tell them, so have a strong opening and a strong close to your speech.
• Have confident body language.  Remember that the audience is on your side and they want you to succeed.
• And Miller is a big fan of Toastmasters International, which helps improve public speaking and leadership skills.  There are 77 Toastmaster organizations in Missouri and Illinois within 25 miles of downtown St. Louis.  So, a lot of people are aware of their fears and they’re trying to do something about it.

Kay Quinn:  Yeah, you’ve go to remember we’re all just human, right.  So, you’re going to make mistakes from time to time, or slip up, and I love the Don Knotts’ thing.  Oh, that is so funny.  That’s classic.  It’s priceless.  Thank you so much, Art.

Art Holliday:  Thank you.

[00:03:20]

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
2. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
3. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...

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YourYour Elevator Speech is a Mini-Presentation 

CLICK to Open Booklet

The term, Elevator Speech, implies it’s something that won’t take very long to deliver.  If someone’s only going to be in an elevator with you till the next floor, it may be less than a minute.  It’s not an exercise to take casually.

Just as an Elevator goes up one floor at a time, the Elevator Speech should be delivered “by the floor.”

At each stop, the verbal and/or nonverbal signal to look for is, “Tell me more.”

Everyone doesn’t want to go to the Top Floor with you.  Some don’t want to leave the lobby! There is no need to waste time and energy taking them all the way up.

The Elevator Speech can be a good tool for Qualifying and DisQualifying prospects.

The Elevator Speech starts simple. As interest and time permit, it is expanded.

Again, not everyone wants to go with you to the Top Floor and you don’t want to take everyone there.

Let’s get in the Elevator and start going up!

1st Floor  -  Describes Who You Are
Hello! My Name is Fred Miller.
That may be all someone wants to know about you – Your Name.

2nd Floor  -  Describes What You Do
I’m a Speaker, a Coach and an Author.
That’s what I do.
Hopefully, they want to know:
What I speak about.
What I coach.
What have I authored.

On this floor, very briefly, tell them what you do.  Don’t give a lot of details.

3rd Floor  -  Describes Your Expertise
The Title of my Book is, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
How to Develop, Practice, and Deliver a ‘Knock Your Socks Off!’ Presentation with -
No Sweat!

This is where you tell something about why you have expertise in what you do.

4th Floor  -  Why They Hire Me
Businesses and Individuals Hire Me Because they want to improve their Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.

I prefer the words Hire Me rather than:
“I work with people who. . .
“I help people. . .
Hire Me lets them know I get Paid to do this.
Hire Me can be an excellent Dis-Qualifier.

The word “because” is important.  It has a positive psychological impact on the recipient.

5th Floor  -  More Why They Hire Me
They do this because:
We perceive really good speakers as Experts.
Perception is reality.
We like to work with Experts.

Here, expand on why they hire you.

6th Floor  -  More Information
They know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.

You may not have time or need to deliver more information, but it’s good
to have it as an option.

I could follow this up with,
“Are You Taking and Making Speaking Opportunities?”

That could continue the conversation.
This is an Elevator Speech, not a Sales Presentation.
If this leads to a meeting and a conversation, I’ll ask it at that time.

7th Floor  -  I Deliver
I show them how to Develop, Practice, and Deliver a ‘Knock Your Socks Off!’ Presentation with – No Sweat!

The “No Sweat!” is part of my Branding.  If you have a “Brand” it’s this is a great place to use it!

8th Floor  -  ASK!
“You probably don’t know any companies or people who could use the services I offer,
Do You?

Asking the question this way will catch them a bit off guard and usually get them thinking.
Their answer could be a prospect.

Somewhere on the ride up, the person you’re delivering to, is curious enough to tell you they want to know more and have a conversation in the future.
If not, ASKING them is the next best thing to do.  What have you got to lose?

Be aware that an Elevator Speech, just like any presentation, consists of two Components:
Content and Delivery.

Plan your Content.
•  Read The Elevator Speech Booklet.
•  Very little, but pertinent information, for each “floor.”
•  Continually refresh it. Change is constant.
• You learn new skills and have new experiences that can be
valuable to mention.

Delivery is Verbal and NonVerbal.
Verbal: The way the words are spoken.
•  Speak clearly and distinctly.
NonVerbal, Everything else.
•  Smile.  It’s universal and gets a positive response.
•  Make eye contact to show honesty and sincerity.
•  Stand tall and lean in slightly to listen and/or shake hands.
•  If appropriate to shake hands, give a firm handshake.

Now, work on Your Elevator Speech.
Then, if you’re inclined, go to the Comments Section, please, and
share Your Elevator Speech!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
2. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
3. Remember: NonVerbal Communication Trumps. . . The speaker on the podium says, "I really am...

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Have you ever watched a Professional Mime? They speak no words, but communicate very well, don’t they!

If they were to use their voice, their NonVerbal Communication: eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and body movements, would outweigh their spoken words.

Our NonVerbal Communication carries more weight than the words we say and how we say them.

Example: The speaker on the podium says, “I’m very excited to be speaking to this group today.”  At the same time, he is yawning, not giving eye contact to anyone in the audience, and continually looking at his watch.  What’s the message he’s sending?

Everything in the Delivery of our presentation must be in sync, else the audience will believe what they “See.”

While we can consciously use our NonVerbal Communication Skills to emphasize parts of our presentation, it’s important to remember that we exhibit involuntary NonVerbal Communication, also.  (If you saw Simon Cowell’s eyebrows rise when Susan Boyle started singing her first song, “I Dreamed a Dream,” on Britain Has Talent, you know what I mean.  Here’s a Link.)

Facial expressions like: raised eyebrows, rolling eyes, smirks, yawns, snickers and other expressions are often exhibited before we are conscious of them happening.  Yet the audience sees them and immediately an impression is made.  If not in sync with the words they were hearing, and carries a different meaning, the audience will believe the involuntary NonVerbal Communication they see.

The same holds true of gestures and body language.  If we’re talking about something we are ‘passionate about’, but not ‘showing’ that emotion with gestures, posture and body language, the ‘disconnect’ tells our audience the ‘passion’ may not be as real as we’re telling them!

If using slides in a presentation, it is critical to either insert Blank Slides or use the “B” Blank Button at points in your presentation.  This will shift the audiences’ eyes to you, the presenter.  They will the see your important NonVerbal Communication.

Use NonVerbal Communication to reinforce the words you speak and enhance your Presentation:

• Make Eye Contact with individuals in the audience.
• It demonstrates honesty, self-confidence, and sincerity.
• Use Facial Expressions.
• Smile, when appropriate.
• A smile is universal.  I call it a non-physical hug because when you give one, you usually get one right back!
• Other Facial Expressions are also universal and ‘seen’ the same by people all over the globe.  They include expressions for:
• Fear, Anger, Surprise, Disgust, Happiness, and being Sad.
• Gesture to emphasize specific points of your presentation.
• Be certain they are in sync with your message.
• Make those gestures larger for larger audiences so all see them.
• Your Posture conveys self-confidence, honesty, and leadership.
• Don’t slouch, lean, or fidget when standing.
• Posture also applies when you are sitting, before and after you speak.
• Consider yourself always on stage.
• When you Move Your Body, walk deliberately.
• Pick several ‘anchor’ points to always return to.  (Kind of an X marks the spot!)
• One of those anchors can be ‘stage center,’ directly in front of the audience.
• If you’re using slides in your presentation, be sure you have BLANKED the screen with the ‘B’ Button on your computer or remote, or inserted a Blank Slide.  If you don’t do this, you are the screen!

In summary, if everything in a presentation is not in sync,
NonVerbal Communication Rules!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

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2. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
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I’ve sometimes heard this from executives, business owners, and other professionals.

It’s all about how you define the word “Presentations,” isn’t it?

Here are some questions for them:

• Does anyone ever talk to a prospect?
• Does anyone ever talk to a client?
• Do you have salespeople?
• Does anyone work in customer service?
• Do co-workers ever discuss the opportunities and challenges of their job?
• Do co-workers ever discuss the opportunities and challenges of the company?
• Does anyone ever attend networking events?
• Does everyone have an elevator speech in case someone asks them what they do and where they work?
• Are there ever company meetings?
• Does anyone ever attend trade shows or conventions?
• Do you ever have a booth at one?
• Do teams ever meet?
• Do you ever have vistors?
• Does anyone ever visit other companies.
• Do you ever have an Open House for clients and prospects?
• Does anyone ever interview job candidates and/or suppliers?

Here are some more questions:

• Do you believe Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities?
• Do you believe Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities?
• Do you believe Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities?
• Do you believe that people who speak/present well are perceived as Experts?
• Do you agree we prefer to work with Experts?
• Do you agree Experts can can command a higher price for their products and services
• If someone delivers a really poor presentation, what’s the perception of the person, their product/service, and company?
• Does your competition give presentations to prospects?
• Are some of their prospects your customers?

And, if you now believe people here do give presentations. . .

• Is their Content good?
• Do they have an Opening, Body and Conclusion?
• What kind of Closing do they use?
• Is their Delivery of the Content done in a professional manner?
• How are their Verbal Communication Skills?
• How are their Nonverbal Communication Skills?
• When, and how, do they handle Questions?
• Are they comfortable in front of an audience?
• Do they present themselves well?
• Do they present your company well?
• Do they use PowerPoint in their presentation?
• What’s on the slide?
• Text?
• Graphics?
• Are the slides contributing to the presentation in a positive manner and helping the audience GET IT or. . .?
• When the presentation is over, what’s the audience’s perception of the presenter?
• How does it reflect on their product/service and company?

Do you still believe “No one here gives presentations?”

If you didn’t GET IT! before, I’m sure you GET IT! now.  
You, and most of the people you work with give presentations on a regular basis.
They may not be ‘platform speeches’ in front of hundreds, but they certainly are presentations that can have positive or negative effects.

Speaking to a group or talking to an individual,
the basics apply to most communication.

• Content – the message
• Delivery – presenting the message
• Verbal Communication – the voice and how it is used
• NonVerbal Communication – gestures, facial expressions
  and body language

Keep this in mind the next time someone asks,
“Do you and your people give presentations?”

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

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Speakers The First Thing the Audience
will Remember!

The Law of Primacy and Recency states:
The First and Last Things your audience hears
and sees, will probably be remembered more
than anything else in your presentation.

Of the two, the Closing will be better recalled.

Knowing that Law is important for several reasons.

• It’s why speakers should have a Strong Opening
  and a Strong Closing!
• The Opening should grab the attention of the audience and make them desire to hear more.
• Example:
• “Picture this!  Friday is our annual Open House and the president of the company wants each department to give a fifteen minute presentation.  I have you scheduled for 1:15 – right after lunch!”
• After your Opening grabs the attention of the audience, give them an agenda of how your presentation will proceed.  This is important because people like to know what and when things are going to happen.
• Example:
• “I’ll talk about the Fear of Public Speaking.
• Why we have it.
• Nuggets to lessen it.
• I’ll then take Questions.
• Finally, I’ll Close the Presentation.”
• The Closing should be something you want them to remember.  (Think of courtroom summations and closing statements by political candidates.)
• Examples
• A Call to Action.
• “Today, as soon as you get back to your office, start writing your Introduction!“
• A Challenge.
• “We’ll be meeting again one week from today.  I challenge each of you to have an Introduction that answers the three questions every Introduction should address
• Why this Subject?
• Why this Speaker?
• Why Now?
• A Motivational Quote.
• Remember as you leave the auditorium, ”The worst speech you’ll ever give, will be far better than the one you never give!”
• It’s an opportunity to Brand Yourself.
• Each episode of NBC’s Meet the Press, the longest-running television series in American broadcasting, ends with, “If it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press!”
• My good friend and internet marketing guru, Russ Henneberry, Tiny Business, Mighty Profits, does this.  He ends each of his dynamic presentations with, “Go back to your offices and start using the marketing strategies we talked about today and Your Tiny Business will have – Mighty Profits!”
• If you’re going to have a Question and Answer Session, have it before the Closing.
• Taking questions at this time is important. Here’s why: As stated above, the last things the audience sees and hears will be the first things they’ll remember.
• Example:
• Suppose I have a killer Close.  It’s a “Call to Action” that has the audience rushing thru the doors to start on that goal immediately.
• But, as most speakers do, I take questions about my presentation after my Closing. Things are going along fine and I have time for one more question.  That person says, “Fred, that stuff you said about ‘practicing in your mind’s eye.  That’s garbage.  It never works.  In fact, you’re full of garbage! ”
• Now, the presentation is over.  The last thing people heard is the first thing they’ll remember:  ”Fred is full of garbage!”
• That is not the take-away I want them leaving the event with!

Follow this advice about the last thing you say and do, and my prediction is this:
Your next presentation will be; absolutely, positively – No Sweat!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

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Opportunity is waiting!

On the other side of that door is Lots of it!
How do we unlock and open it?

Speak!

Public Speaking/Presenting
is the Key to opening the
Doors of Opportunity!

Here’s why:
We perceive really good speakers as Experts!

Perception is reality, and we like to work with Experts.

The Research Shows:
   •  Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities!
   •  Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities!
   •  Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities!

The people who take and make Speaking Opportunities grow the perception they are Experts. They grow their businesses, careers, and leadership possibilities.

Think of great business and political leaders.  Many attained their positions because of their great skills as a speaker.  Presidents Obama, Clinton and Reagan rose to the highest position in our country partially because of those communication skills.  Sarah Palin, considered a rock star on the podium, ran for vice president.  Apple’s Steve Jobs was the consummate presenter and salesman as was Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca.

A speaker wants to connect to the members of the audience.  The message of a person, skilled in presentation skills, speaks to the audience, and makes the connection.  That connection can lead to direct and indirect opportunities.

Being a good presenter is an important skill needed for many occupations.  Some present well – others don’t.  All things being equal, the ones who communicate well are the leaders in their profession.

Equally important is the fact that even if a person seldom makes a presentation, having the skill will help in other significant ways.
   •  It will improve their one-on-one communication, something everyone does.
   •  Since it takes most out of their comfort zone, it widens that comfort zone and
improves self-esteem, a worthy goal!

Please Note: A Speaking Opportunity is also an opportunity to:
   •  Give others a Negative Impression of  You. 
   •  Embarrass Yourself.
   •  Set a Career Back!

Knowing this, it’s important to be aware that a Speaking Opportunity, whether you sought it out, or it found you, is Important!  Don’t take it lightly.  The spotlight will be on You.

You want to delver a great presentation.  If assigned this task, you want those counting on you to be proud of your performance.  You want to be satisfied with your own work.

Study, Learn and Use The Laws of Presentation.
   •  Know Your Stuff.
•  Really know the subject you’ll be speaking about.
•  Be up-to-date on the latest information.
   •  Know How to Present.
•  Be proficient with all the Components, Parts, and Elements of a presentation.
•  Study presentation skills.
•  Join Toastmasters.
•  Get a Coach!
   •  Be Audience Centered.
•  It’s all about the Audience.It’s not about you!
•  Understand – Believe – Practice this law!
   •  Practice – Practice – Practice!
•  This is not a suggestion!
•  A good rule of thumb is:
•  For every minute of presentation – practice one hour.
•  (The above is not a misprint!)

Those with a Fear of Public Speaking, or those who speak, but don’t have good presentation skills, lose out.  They lose out because they either don’t take speaking opportunities, or, take them and perform poorly.

Presentation Skills, like all skills, can be learned!  No one was born knowing how to ride a bike, drive a car, or use a computer.  No one was born a Public Speaker!

There is a Simple, Proven Formula for learning these skills.
1. Study.
2. Practice – Practice – Practice.
3. Deliver Presentation.
Repeat the above activities!

Follow the suggestions in this Post for Opening the Door to Opportunities and make your next presentation – No Sweat!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift. Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
314-517-8772

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•  The Three Wise Men.
•  Three Strikes You’re out!
•  Rock, Paper, Scissors.

It is also one of the best techniques presenters can use for ensuring their audience GETS IT!

Andrew Dlugan sums the Rule of Three up like this:

“Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message.”

In his book, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, Roy Peter Clark provides insights to the Magic of the Number Three:

• Use One for power.
• Use Two for comparison, contrast.
  (right – wrong, black – white, up – down, hot – cold)
• Use Three for completeness, wholeness, roundness.
• Use Four or more to list, inventory, compile, and expand.

Make use of the Rule of Three in your presentations with the proper, inflection, cadence, and pauses, and I guarantee better speaking!

I’ve taken Dugan’s and Clark’s advice to heart and incorporated it into my presentations.  What follows are examples from my Keynote Presentation, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”

Read them with the Rule of Three in mind.  You’ll understand and remember more than if I had written them without using the Rule of Three!

• I’ll talk about the
• Components,
• Parts and
• Elements of a Speech.
• I’ll
• Name them,
• Explain them, and
• Give some examples.

• The ability to speak in front of a group will improve:
• Your career
• Your one-on-one conversations and
• Your self-confidence

• Speaking Opportunities are:
• Business,
• Career and
• Leadership Opportunities.

• In order for the audience to GET IT! I need to do three things.
• Educate
• Entertain
• Explain

• The Communication Pyramid consists of:
• Physiology – Body Language – 55%
• Tonality – How you use your voice – 38%
• Words - 7%

• Your Introduction should answer three questions.
• Why this subject?
• Why this speaker?
• Why now?

• Eye Contact conveys
• Honesty
• Sincerity
• Self Confidence

• The Fear of Public Speaking is an Equal Opportunity Fear.  It doesn’t care about your
• Age
• Education or
• Occupation

• Do serious athletes just “show up” for the important
• Game
• Match or
• Meet?
• (Perhaps they Practice a bit!)

• How about 
• Great Musicians
• Singers and 
• Actors?
• Do they just “show up” for the
• Concert,
• Show or
• Play?
• (NO!
  They Rehearse/Practice a lot!)

• My single best piece of advice for becoming a better speaker
• Speak! 
• Speak! 
• Speak!

• When, 
• Where and
• Why
• As we’re growing up, do we make the decision that if we “fall down” we won’t get right back up?

• There are Three Ways to help people remember your message.
• The Law of Primacy and Recency
• Something unusual
• Repetition

• Text on a PowerPoint Slide does not reinforce the message.  It
• Confuses
• Competes and
• Complicates it.

Now that you know about the Rule of Three, it’s magic and benefits, I challenge you to understand it, practice it and use it in your presentations!  (I just used it again, didn’t I?)

Post a comment, if you wish, and give me and others your examples.

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Photo Credit: visualpanic

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When was Your Presentation
last updated?You

If it’s been awhile - Keep reading!

Doing a Presentation Makeover
makes sense if:
The Information You Want to Convey is Important.
It should be Important!
     Important to the audience and
     Important to you!
If it’s not important, Why are you doing it?

“The presentation you and/or your team deliver:
directly reflects upon the presenters and those developing the presentation.”

You might need a
Presentation Makeover if you. . .

• Use cheap clipart.
• Use lots of fancy fonts.
• Put your brand on all the slides.
• Use lots of text in your slideshow.
• Use fonts that are less than 32 pt.
• Don’t customize your presentation.
• Don’t Practice – Practice – Practice.
• Think your Introduction is your Bio.
• “Wing it” at any of your presentations.
• Have many bullet points on your slides.
• Read those bullet points to the audience.
• Take questions after closing the presentation.
• Deliver your presentation from behind a lectern.
• Don’t research information about your audience.
• Give all the attendees handouts before presenting.
• Don’t have a Strong Opening and a Strong Closing.
• Aren’t continually updating your knowledge of your subject.
• Leave it up to the Master of Ceremonies to write your Introduction.
• Use low-rez images in your slides and enlarge them to fill the screen.
• Don’t use the “B” Button (Blank Screen) when delivering presentations.
• Are using someone’s stories in your presentation that are not your own.
• Don’t continually research information on the subject you’re presenting.
• Take questions throughout your presentation and always run out of time.
• Use lots of different slide transitions with an equal amount of build-ins
  and build-outs.
• Dress inappropriately or wear flashy jewelry and accessories when presenting.
• Are delivering Nonverbal Communication that is not in sync with your Verbal Communication.
• Keep a prop in view of the audience after using it and moving on to another part of your presentation.
• Don’t have a few questions in your hip pocket to “prime the pump” during the
  Q & A.
• Are not using personal stories to reinforce the points you’re making in the body of your speech.
• Don’t scope out the venue you’ll be speaking in several days before your presentation.
• Don’t have a “Master Slide Deck” you can easily pick and choose slides from for specific audiences and events.
• “Grab” images off internet sites rather than purchase or use ones with Creative Commons license.
• Are not using the Presentation Mode that PowerPoint and Keynote Offer.
• Are not using a remote control device that controls the slide, sound, has a “B” Button, has a laser pointer and is long range RF (radio frequency, not being directional.)

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

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Naturally, we want people to perceive us as an EXPERT.  Perception is reality, and people like to work with EXPERTS - Correct?

Being perceived as an EXPERT grows your:
1. Business
2. Career
3. Leadership Opportunities

EXPERTS also get paid more for the products and services they provide.

You can accomplish this by standing on a Special Three-Legged Stool that you build!

Here is what those Special Legs are:

1. Speaking
The perception of someone who speaks really well, is that they are an EXPERT!

The research shows:
Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

The folks who take and make those speaking opportunities grow the perception they are EXPERTS.  They grow their businesses, careers and leadership possibilities.

SPEAK whenever and wherever you find an opportunity!

Merely being in front of a group and presenting sets you apart.  However, if you want to be apart and above, you must consistently study and apply the art and science of Public Speaking.

2. Internet Marketing
Today the internet gives the “little guy” the same tools the “big boys” work with.

Your Internet Marketing Plan should include:

• A great Website featuring your Blog
• Regularly post great content that readers can use and see you as an EXPERT on your subject.
• Email Marketing
• Regular drip campaigns that ‘sort and sift’ prospects from non-prospects and lead to sending the correct information to those who really show an interest in your content, products and services.
• The proper use of social media.
• Video!
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

3. Writing

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