Public Speaking for Consultants Matthew Stern President Best Software Toastmasters

What will be covered Fundamental public speaking skills Fundamental public speaking skills Resources for further development Resources for further development

Fundamental public speaking skills Overcoming nervousness Overcoming nervousness Knowing your audience Knowing your audience Organizing your talk Organizing your talk Using visual aids correctly Using visual aids correctly Developing a good stage presence Developing a good stage presence

Overcoming nervousness Know it’s natural – It’s a sign that you want to do well Know it’s natural – It’s a sign that you want to do well Practice Practice Know that the audience is on your side Know that the audience is on your side Bring moral support, like a friend or coworker Bring moral support, like a friend or coworker Picking out audience members and speaking to them one on one Picking out audience members and speaking to them one on one

Knowing your audience Do your homework Do your homework Address your audience’s interests Address your audience’s interests Watch the audience’s reaction during your presentation Watch the audience’s reaction during your presentation

Organizing a speech Opening: Introduce the theme of the talk and the points you are covering Opening: Introduce the theme of the talk and the points you are covering Body: Present your points and provide supporting subpoints Body: Present your points and provide supporting subpoints Closing: Recap your points and end with the main thing you want the audience to remember Closing: Recap your points and end with the main thing you want the audience to remember

Using visual aids correctly Do you need them at all? Do you need them at all? Choose the appropriate visual aid Choose the appropriate visual aid Design for readability Design for readability Always have backup equipment and software Always have backup equipment and software Practice with the equipment Practice with the equipment Check for typos and misspellings Check for typos and misspellings

Developing a good stage presence Eye contact Eye contact Appearance Appearance Body language Body language Vocal clarity, projection, and variety Vocal clarity, projection, and variety Pauses Pauses Ahs, ums, and filler words Ahs, ums, and filler words

Recap It’s OK to be nervous It’s OK to be nervous Know your audience Know your audience Organize your talk so that it is easy for you to deliver and the audience to follow Organize your talk so that it is easy for you to deliver and the audience to follow Use visual aids when they support your talk Use visual aids when they support your talk Polish your delivery, but focus on giving quality content Polish your delivery, but focus on giving quality content

Resources for further development Toastmasters International: For a meeting near you: Toastmasters International: For a meeting near you: Nightingale Conant: For audio and video programs on public speaking: Nightingale Conant: For audio and video programs on public speaking: My Web page: For tips on public speaking, speeches, books, and links: My Web page: For tips on public speaking, speeches, books, and links:

Questions?