| 1. No speech is ever perfect. Perfectionism | | | | Toastmasters to get experience and exposure. |
| creates more fear. Do your best and leave it | | | | There's a crazy mindset that runs through the |
| at that.2. Forget about what you forgot to | | | | brains of some speakers. They think that they |
| say. Trust that the audience heard what was | | | | can get in front of an audience and be |
| needed.3. Someone has said that you should | | | | fabulous the first time. Not gonna happen. No |
| put ten hours of practice into every one hour | | | | one plays an instrument without practice. The |
| presentation. You can, but it's over kill. | | | | same is true with speaking.19. Impromptu and |
| Practice until you feel like you have 80%, | | | | spontaneous speaking only work when you |
| let the other 20% take care of itself. If you | | | | understand the communication rules and know |
| know your stuff, you may not need any | | | | how to break them. Many top speakers "ad lib" |
| practice.4. Make it clear. No rambling. No | | | | 80% or more of their messages. That's only |
| tangents. The audience should leave knowing | | | | possible because they KNOW the exact response |
| your position whether they agree with it or | | | | their words will bring. Their material may be |
| not.5. Be conversational. No sterile speech | | | | new, but it's not an experiment. They know |
| patterns. No monotone. Speak like you would | | | | how people will react to their words before |
| to a friend over a cup of coffee.6. Toss out | | | | they ever use them. Do you have audience |
| ego. It's not about you or your acceptance; | | | | response ESP? Do you know if the audience |
| it's about giving the audience value they can | | | | will laugh, cry, or clap BEFORE the words |
| grow from. Too many speakers have their | | | | come out of your mouth?20. If you can't |
| esteem wrapped up in being liked.7. Stop | | | | summarize the intended result of your speech |
| playing "What if..." What if I freeze? What | | | | in one sentence, then you're not clear. There |
| if I forget?8. Be you. Chances are high that | | | | should be no doubt about the value and |
| your friends consider you warm and humorous. | | | | intention of your presentation.21. Sometimes |
| No one is against a speaker like that.9. Use | | | | it's your job to offend. I have an upcoming |
| props if they clarify a point. In one of my | | | | speech that is going to highly bother the |
| presentations I have 2 jars on stage. One | | | | attendees, but the CEO will love it. The |
| filled with money. One filled with trash. I | | | | audience will get what they need, not what |
| get an audience member to crack the trash jar | | | | they want. That's the way is has to go |
| with a hammer. Then we talk about the crap | | | | sometimes.22. Don't sacrifice clarity for |
| they fill their lives with and the result of | | | | cuteness. If you're amazed at the cleverness |
| that. Then another person cracks the money | | | | of your speech, then chances are better than |
| jar. We talk about how to fill our lives with | | | | great that your audience won't be.23. |
| wealth. Close: "What's in your jar? Nothing | | | | Outlining your speech should never take more |
| you haven't placed there yourself."10. Get to | | | | than hour. If it does, then you're working |
| know the audience. Meet and greet before and | | | | too hard on something that almost everyone |
| after. Get as close to the crowd as possible | | | | will forget. Jot down your points. Subtitle |
| when speaking. Forget the the podium.11. Use | | | | some illustrations. Then practice. Speaking |
| as few notes as possible. I like a single | | | | is much easier than people make it out to |
| sticky sheet with my points on it.12. Your | | | | be.24. Self-effacing humor works miracles. |
| life provides your illustrations. Every | | | | Last Friday I walked into our church's |
| experience holds the possibility of an | | | | baptismal pool by accident. Got soaked from |
| example or truth others can learn from.13. | | | | the chest down. Good news: My cell phone was |
| Don't tell jokes. First, most are not funny. | | | | saved. Bad news: It went to meet its maker a |
| Second, most of the people have heard the | | | | few minutes later. I've gotten phone calls |
| lame things. Third, a story of something | | | | galore from friends teasing me. I've already |
| foolish you did as a child is funnier than | | | | jotted down the details along with several |
| any joke on the planet.14. You don't change | | | | ways I can use this embarrassing tale as an |
| lives. People have to take your words and | | | | illustration. If you're not willing to look |
| apply them in order for change to result. You | | | | dumb, then you're not too smart.25. Don't |
| are responsible to them, not for them.15. You | | | | take yourself too seriously. First, other |
| become what you think about. Think scared, | | | | people can recognize it, and it will turn |
| you'll be scared. Think passionate, you'll be | | | | them off. Second, your own body will |
| passionate. Trace your feelings and you'll | | | | recognize it and turn you off.26. Words will |
| discover they came from thoughts.16. Your | | | | never become ineffective. We live in a world |
| best for this moment is the best you can do. | | | | of advanced technology. Multi-media abounds. |
| Don't compare yourself to famous speakers. | | | | But NOTHING will ever replace an individual |
| You can learn, grow, and become better, and | | | | with a bold message, the passion to share it, |
| you should. However, don't allow what you are | | | | and an audience wanting to change.Paul Evans |
| not at this moment to hide the greatness of | | | | is the executive creator of Instant Speaking |
| who you ARE at this moment.17. Fear is part | | | | Success. Over 24,000 public speakers receive |
| of speaking. Even the best speakers feel some | | | | his weekly speaking letter. Sign up is free. |
| slight butterflies from excitement. Fear is | | | | Paul's public speaking course has help |
| not unusual; it's typical. Don't be surprised | | | | thousands of speakers overcome fear and |
| by its presence.18. You cannot get better if | | | | deliver with power and passion. |
| you do not speak regularly. Join a club like | | | | |