Public Speaking f o r Private People Tips & Tricks for Amateurs and Scaredy-Cats (like me!)

1. Public Speaking f o r Private People Tips & Tricksfor Amateurs and Scaredy-Cats (like me!)

2. 4 P’s to Avoid Pure Terror! • Prepare • Practice • PAUSE • Pamper

3. It’s All About Building Confidence.

4. Research Subject Audience Organize Slides they’ll see & hear Handouts and/or activities “Cue cards” you’ll work from Understand Confirm your responsibilities Length & Purpose Format Familiarize yourself with the equipment and the process Relate your requirements Prepare

5. Research • Do Your Homework • Understand your topic thoroughly • Research and write the presentation as you would an important paper • Know Your Audience • Basic demographics (age, experience level, familiarity with your topic) • Approximate number of attendees

6. Slides and/or visual presentation Follow a logical progression Use high contrast colors Minimum 18pt text size Be consistent Handouts Additional Info Activities Delivery materials Create “cue cards” Double (+) spacing Large, bold, easily read font Use Reminders Look Breathe! Reminders are also good placeholders Organize

7. Understand • How much time do you have? • What does your host hope you’ll accomplish? • What equipment , software, support will be readily available? • What will additional equipment will you need to be successful? • Internet connection? • Projector? • Whiteboard? • Podium • Water

8. Practice • Early Stages • Read aloud as you’re writing • Your reflection’s a good test audience – so is a tape recorder • Get feedback from trusted friends • Mark up your cue sheet on run-through

9. PAUSE • Evaluate your performance • Tongue-twisted? Slow down. • Out of breath? Add breathing marks. • Knees knocking? So what, you’ll be behind a podium. • Test audience confused? Pinpoint the problem and re-write. • Focused only on the page or losing your place when you look around? Add more visual marks. • Monotone? Practice accenting various parts of speech for more impact. • Make changes to slides and cue sheet or cards as necessary • Reorganize to clarify • Eliminate awkward passages • Insert reminders to yourself

10. Practice EVERYTHING Hand and facial gestures Comfortable stance Running your equipment Taking questions Recovering from mistakes Plan ahead Select comfortable, confidence building clothes at least a week in advance Wear extremely comfortable shoes Do final run through in the clothing you’ve chosen well in advance Resume Practice

11. The night before Gather all materials Get a good night’s sleep Morning Avoid caffeine Avoid people who stress you out Be good to yourself & do things that make you feel cared for 1-2 hours prior Check set-up, final technical arrangements Do final run through, on location if possible Walk away. Spend remaining time with someone who distracts you and makes you laugh Use the restroom Pamper

12. Confidence • You know your topic • You know your material • You’ve done this before • Other scaredy-cats will be awestruck • You CAN do this, and you’ll be great

13. If Something Goes Wrong • Don’t panic, improvise! • Pause for a drink of water to regroup • Excuse yourself and adjust your equipment • Spend a moment as if deep in thought, then begin again “spontaneously” once you’ve found your place • Ask if there are any questions • Break for an activity

14. Handouts • Delivery Tips • Writing Tips • Cue card / cue sheet sample and copies of the entire presentation will be available on the KON website. Log onto www.kon.org and follow the links to Conclavefor more info, and be sure to visit www.abacon.com - they have a ton of great resources!

15. 4 P’s Prepare Practice PAUSE Pamper If your foundation is solid, your presentation will be, too! Build confidence by planning ahead – eliminate potential sources of worry If something goes wrong – breathe! And then improvise. Summary