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Speaking Without Slides: How to Make Your Words Stand Out on Their Own

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Speaking Without Slides_ How to Make Your Words Stand Out on Their Own

Slides can be helpful. But let’s be honest—too often they become a crutch.


Some of the most powerful presentations I’ve ever seen had no slides at all. Just a speaker, a message, and an audience fully engaged. When you remove the slides, something interesting happens: people actually listen.


Speaking without slides forces you to focus on what really matters—your message and your connection with the audience.

Here are guidelines for doing this.

  • Structure is everything. Without slides to guide the audience, your organization has to be crystal clear.

    • Open strong.

      • Tell them what you'll be telling them and how you will handle questions.

      • Use clear transitions so they always know where you are in the talk.


  • Use stories and examples. Stories create mental pictures that are far more memorable than bullet points.

    • When people can see it in their minds, they don’t need to see it on a screen.


  • Be conversational. Speaking without slides should feel more like a dialogue than a performance.

    • Make eye contact.

    • Pause. Let your audience absorb and think about what you've said.

      • Silence can be incredibly powerful when you’re not racing to keep up with a deck.


  • Use your body and your voice. Your gestures, movement, facial expressions, and vocal variety become your visuals.

    • This is where strong body language and purposeful movement really shine.


  • Know your material cold. Don't memorize it — know it!

    • When you understand your message deeply, you can adapt, respond, and connect in the moment without relying on what’s behind you.


Bottom line: Slides should support you, not replace you. When your words can stand on their own, your confidence grows, your delivery improves, and your audience remembers you—not your slides.


Sometimes, the most powerful visual . . .is you.


Follow this advice and your presentations will be absolutely, positively - NO SWEAT! ————————————————————————————————————————————————–


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About the Author                 Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”


Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.


They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."


They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!


Services:

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  1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

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  3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

  4. We are All Self-Employed!


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My books can be purchased on amazon.com.               "  NO SWEAT Public Speaking”                “ NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”



If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this post or other posts please contact me: Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com.


Thank  you for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated

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