Top 7 Insights to Effective Speaking

The ability to speak well can enhance your career, clinch a sale, sell a point-of-view and increase an executive's productivity. Here is a list of do's and don'ts regarding speaking and presentations.

1. The most important objective of any speaker is to appear credible and knowledgeable about his or her subject. Speak to your audience as if you were having a conversation.
   
   
2. Grab the audience's attention in the first few minutes with a question, startling comment, inspiring story, or funny experience. This will help you connect immediately with everyone and reduce the tension. Stay away from jokes!
   
   
3. Reduce your nervousness by taking several deep breaths immediately before you're introduced. And for you chocoholics...eat some chocolate to relax your vocal chords.
   
   
4. When making a presentation, look at one person long enough to deliver one complete thought, then move to another individual and repeat the process. Everyone else in the audience will also feel attended to.
   
   
5. Use visual aids to increase audience retention of your message. But NEVER become a master of ceremonies to your overheads.
   
   
6. Avoid the number one mistake in the speaking business...failing to check your audio-visual equipment before your presentation. Show up early to check out the sound system and any other equipment you will be using.
   
   
7. Personal benefits from acquiring excellent speaking skills include: more self-confidence, becoming more persuasive and evolving into a magnetic or dynamic speaker.

Coach Sandra Schrift is a career telecoach to emerging and experienced speakers on the business of speaking. One-on-one coaching available. Also, Speakers University classes begin again on January 17th. Check Web site for details and to register at http://www.schrift.com

NEW! 6 audio cassette program on "How to Succeed in the Speaking Business." (includes handouts and a 20 minute coaching call) All for $69 ( a $169 value) Secured Web site for purchase. http://www.schrift.com FREE - subscribe to bi-weekly ezine - MIndShare and email me for your FREE 20 minute coaching call.