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Impromptu Speaking Tips: When you have to perform on-the-spot!

Impromptu Speaking Tips: When you have to perform on-the-spot!. PREPARING Listen very carefully to what was asked – seek clarification if necessary. Organize 2-3 main points in your mind, and attach an example or “illustration” of each point.

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Impromptu Speaking Tips: When you have to perform on-the-spot!

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  1. Impromptu Speaking Tips:When you have to perform on-the-spot! • PREPARING • Listen very carefully to what was asked – seek clarification if necessary. • Organize 2-3 main points in your mind, and attach an example or “illustration” of each point. • This is where you create an outline of your answer in your head. • Don’t worry if you might be leaving something out. Focus on 2-3 relevant points and move towards your response. Too many people “freeze” at this point because they can think of too many options and struggle to choose. • Calm yourself by taking a deep breath, making initial eye contact before you begin, and being purposeful. • PRESENTING • Your goal is to make a clear presentation of a limited amount of highly relevant information. • Organize your response for the audience based on the theory of “Tell them what you are going to say, say it, and tell them what you said”: • Introduce yourself (if necessary) • Restate or rephrase the question • Tell the audience your main points. “In response to that question I am going to share with you two ideas, X and Y” • One at at time, explain and “illustrate” each point. “Now point X, …. • Summarize the answer. “Again my answer to the question posed is X and Y” • If you need to field questions • Confirm, Conquer, Confirm (and compliment when due) • Repeat question for audience • Anticipate and prepare for questions & objections • Use your “tools” effectively: your voice and body should help the audience stay connected to your message. • BODY: • Make direct and varied eye contact • Use gestures purposefully (avoid nervous twitching and such) • Move to relieve audience fatigue and ease your nerves • Demonstrate comfort and purpose in your posture • Use appropriate facial expressions for message • VOICE: • Pace: overall speak slowly, but vary your pace for effect • Volume: speak loud enough for surroundings, but vary volume for effect • Quality: have your voice tone reflect the message • Avoid “ums” and other such filler words • SMILE: Act like this is not the worst thing that has ever happened to you! • PRACTICE • Recruit your spouse, children, friends to listen to you • Find opportunities to speak: www.toastmasters.org

  2. Presentation / Speaking Tips: • PREPARING • Know your Purpose: • Will you be speaking to entertain? To inform? To persuade? • Know your Audience: • How many, what level of experience, and what connection do you have to them? • Preview and Understand the Logistics: • What challenges will the room or facility present? What technology will be available to you? Visit and try out the equipment if feasible, otherwise ask a lot of questions. How much time will you have? Does that include Q&A or not? • Get Organized: • Organize your presentation based on the theory of “Tell them what you are going to say, say it, and tell them what you said”: • Visual Support: • What visual aids do you want to include? Don’t be married to PowerPoint, but if you use it….. • Avoid words in white on anything but a very dark background, and when in doubt just use black font color. • Try to avoid more then seven lines or elements per slide. • Use “Animation” when it is convenient to be able to advance the slides (a remote “clicker” or a teammate at the computer). • Avoid the overuse of sound effects • Full Dry Run: • Get the team together and try out everything. Pay special attention to technology use and transitions. • PRESENTING • Get Everyone Involved Right Away • Have each person introduce themselves and what part of the presentation they will do. • Use Summaries / Transitional Statements Frequently • You know the structure & logic of your presentation, your audience doesn’t. • At speaker changes, be sure to have departing person recap and fully introduce the person and topic to follow, and the person beginning should recap that. It may seem redundant to you, but it gives the audience time to process the shift in discussion topic and helps the audience comprehend how everything fits together. • Don’t run-off when you are done! Have one team member summarize the whole presentation and wrap the whole thing up on a high note. • Use Your “Tools” Effectively • your voice and body should help the audience stay connected to your message. • See reverse side for details. • Fielding Questions • Confirm, Conquer, Confirm (and compliment when due) • Repeat question for audience • Anticipate and prepare for questions & objections • PRACTICE • Do a team de-briefing session post-presentation • Find opportunities to speak: www.toastmasters.org

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