Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

Theodore Henderson, ACS, CL, President of THJ & Associates, LLC

If you are going to be a great, or even a good speaker, you must organize and prepare yourself properly. Once in a while you can get away with adlibbing, but sooner or later it catches up to you and usually at the worst time. Do yourself a favor and put real work into your presentation. Take the time to get organized before you begin writing your presentation and it will take a load off of your shoulders.

Let's review the steps that will make your presentation informative, entertaining and less stressful:

• First, you should select a topic appropriate for your audience. If it is chosen for you, such as at work, then preparation becomes even more critical as it may not have a personal appeal to you.
• Be mindful of the time you have. Saying a lot about a little will go a long way towards keeping the audience interested.
• Carefully write down everything you know about your topic. Then review and decide what will be needed for your presentation. Now go off and research, interview, brainstorm, etc. In short, get the information you need to be prepared.
• Make your presentation well organized.  Outline your main points and then collect relevant accurate data. You don't need any more than three to five points in your speech to hit the mark.
• Make sure you have a catchy introduction that lets the listener know what is in it for them with a hook that reels them in. This of course is all tied together by a strong conclusion.
• After your draft is put together practice your speech three to six times out loud.  Tape record your practice, if possible. After you finish practicing, practice again! Then once you've gone over your speech so many times that it's coming out of your ears, practice one last time for good luck before you hit the stage.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Just like a top athlete, becoming and staying a top speaker demands practice.

Make sure you get familiar with where you are speaking even if it simply means arriving extra early and feeling out the facilities.

If you don't have any prior knowledge of the layout, seek out someone who does, if possible. If you are going to be on a stage, definitely find out what type of stage. Know the feel and location of the lectern. Understand where you will be speaking and stand there and feel it.

MICROPHONES

The size of the room will dictate whether or not you need a microphone. The larger the group the more advisable it is that you use a microphone.

ROOM CONDITIONS

The room affects everyone in it so investigate. Is the room too hot? Too cold? The acoustics? The noise? Figure it out ahead of time and you will minimize problems later.

VISUAL AIDS

If you are going to use any, including handouts, decide how you will use them and distribute them ahead of time.

Let me share a life experience example as a guest speaker. In March 2007, I was one of several speakers invited to make a three-minute presentation to a lunch crowd of 200 publishing executives and technology vendors.

First, I made sure to arrive early so I could visit the stage, check the microphone, and I had to make sure that the prepared slides that I had sent ahead of time were there and in order. After this little inspection I had the feel of the room and knew what to expect.

After sitting down and waiting my turn, I watched several speakers who were not really prepared, had too many slides, rambled on, deer in the headlights, reading their bullets, etc.

After taking the stage, I promptly did the proper greeting to the audience and launched into a properly structured speech that I was later complimented for by several potential client executives in attendance.

Did I make the greatest speech ever? No. Did I make a good speech? Yes, simply by using Toastmasters principals I have learned of preparation, speech organization, body language, and lastly I did not turn my back to the audience and read my slides!

Preparation was the key!

Theodore Henderson, ACS, CL, President of THJ & Associates, LLC, a New York City-based consulting firm. He helps individuals and groups build small businesses that reflect their passion and purpose by guiding them through a direct, simplified, and functional business planning process. Theodore@thjassociates.com                           www.thjassociates.com