1. Painless Presentations:
Overcoming the pitfalls of public speaking
Creating Your Content

2. Content AKA: What’s in your Speech
No matter what your topic, you are there for a reason. You have to adopt an attitude that your content matters.

3. Audience is Everything1
When Choosing Content
Audience is Everything

4. Think about who is in the room or who might watch later
What are the audience demographics ?
age, gender, nationality, income, race, beliefs, education
What is their level of expertise on the topic?
What do you want them to do, think, or feel at the end?

5. Let purpose drive content2
Let purpose drive content
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

6. You may be combining all three in one speech
The purpose guides content choice
Are you informing?
Are you persuading?
Are you entertaining?
Are you celebrating?
You may be combining all three in one speech
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

7. Most speeches combine these elements:
Stories
Facts and data
Ideas and Opinions
Be sure to cite any facts, data, or ideas that are not your own. It adds credibility and prevents plagiarism.
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

8. 3
Organize Your Content

9. Organize Content: Know your thesis Your thesis is your main point
Your thesis should tell the audience the speech’s purpose
Keep it short. Typically a single sentence.
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

10. Organize Content: Think in Threes
Restrict your speech to 2-3 main points to help audiences remember:
Thesis Statement
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

11. Organize Content: Think about moving between points Thesis
Presentation Body
Point 1
Transition statement (“The next point I want to discuss…”)
Point 2
Transition statement (“Now that we’ve thought about...”)
Point 3
Transition statement (“We’ve covered…”)
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

12. Organize Content: Don’t forget the beginning and end Introduction
Thesis
Presentation Body
Point 1
Transition statement (“The next point I want to discuss…”)
Point 2
Transition statement (“Now that we’ve thought about...”)
Point 3
Transition statement (“We’ve covered…”)
Repeat the Thesis
Conclusion
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

13. Finish Strong
Start Strong

14. A good speech should flow easily
Lots of speakers spend a lot of time on main points and details, but forget to grab audience attention, transition smoothly, and finish with flair.
These are the things that hook the audience, maintain flow,
and create lasting memory.
If you aren’t there yet, then ask two questions: So what? And who cares? What is the audience going to get from me presentations. Why does it matter and to who? If you can’t answer these two questions, you shouldn’t be speaking.

15. Weak Starts Fiddle with technology Lengthy introductions
Ask how much time you have
Question the quality of your speech
Have no introduction

16. Strong Starts Ask a question State a curious fact Tell a story
Show a picture
Tell a joke
Relate topic to audience

17. Weak Endings That’s about all I have I hope that was useful
I know that was a lot of information
Thanks for listening
I guess that’s it

18. Strong Endings Summarize your points Tie back to your intro
Make a lasting point about relevance
Provide one solid takeaway
Tell a related joke
Show a picture that emphasizes your point
End with a call to action

19. Tie it Together
Introductions, conclusions, and transitions should tie a presentation together to bring closure to the speech & keep a coherent message