5 Elements of Great Public Speaking

The difference in a powerful and pitiful presentation is usually a few essential basics. The following seven reminders must be part of every speech.

1. Audience Awareness.

The better you know the people in the seat, the better your presentation will be. Too many speakers are self-centered. They design a message that sounds good to them.

The audience-centered speaker provides what the people need. Information to help them grow. Motivation to aid the desire to apply.

2. Positive Preparatio

Do not prepare in fear. Forget worrying about the possibilities of what can go wrong. Instead, think about the positives. Note everything you can’t wait to share. Pinpoint the most powerful aspects of the speech and look forward to releasing them.

3. Confident Content.

Too often we draw our confidence from our delivery style. Listen, that’s overrated. Who cares if an audience is wowed by delivery if no content comes with it?

The less confident you are with your delivery the more critical it is that you are confident with your content. Know exactly the benefit the audience will receive from the information you share.

4. Test Technology.

Check the microphones, laptop, etc. before the event. Inspect it with enough time to repair it if needed.

Last Wednesday I spoke at a meeting and we were not sure if my laptop would be compatible with the projection system. In the end we switched cables and all went well. But if I hadn’t been there forty-five minutes early it might not have went as well.

5. Validate Value

This ties the previous four points together.

Value the audience. Remember that you are talking to people with fears and also with dreams.

Value preparation. Don’t try to wing-it and don’t over prepare thinking it will make you perfect.

Value content. Have a clear message that cannot me missed. Also, make it practical so it can be immediately applied.

Value technology. If PowerPoint strengthens the message use it; if it doesn’t then don’t. Only use technology that will enhance the message.

If you know those four areas the fifth - validate value - will be guaranteed. You will know what you are going to say, who you are saying it to, and why you are sharing it.