Post on 21-Mar-2017
5 Effective
Techniques for Speakers
to employ during a to employ during a to employ during a to employ during a
Speaking EngagementSpeaking EngagementSpeaking EngagementSpeaking Engagement
Susanne Petersson
@SusannePresents@SusannePresents@SusannePresents@SusannePresents
Let’s focus on Speaking events where
� You are one of a series of speakers,
such as at a conference
� You are a member of
a presentation team
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Have you experienced Speaking
� When you must modify your subject
matter at a moment’s notice?
� As your audience
regularly changes?
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As with all Speaking Engagements
You are a You are a You are a You are a
sales person sales person sales person sales person
promoting promoting promoting promoting
a producta producta producta product!!!!
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Every interaction Every interaction Every interaction Every interaction
counts counts counts counts –––– people people people people
are always are always are always are always
watchingwatchingwatchingwatching!!!!
Incorporate these Tools
1)1)1)1) Gain credibilityGain credibilityGain credibilityGain credibility
2)2)2)2) Use conversational styleUse conversational styleUse conversational styleUse conversational style
3)3)3)3) Be graciousBe graciousBe graciousBe gracious
4)4)4)4) Build smooth transitionsBuild smooth transitionsBuild smooth transitionsBuild smooth transitions
5)5)5)5) Expand your knowledgeExpand your knowledgeExpand your knowledgeExpand your knowledge
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1) Gain credibility
� Greet everyone!
� Speak with individuals
and small groups as
you are able
� Make an effort – it
doesn’t go unnoticed!
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1) Gain credibility
� Be animated
� Show confidence!
Buses – like conference rooms – hold large audiences
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1) Gain credibility
� Know when to stop talking
� Permit audiences to
enjoy unique moments
� Allow brief interruptions,
distractions to run their
course
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2) Use conversational style
� Talk to the audience – not at them..
� Draw audience into your subject matter
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2) Use conversational style
� Be open to adjust with
audience interest,
expectation
� Balance stories with facts
and figures
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3) Be gracious
� Toward your audience
� Thank them!
� Listen to queries with
interest
� Provide time for them
to enjoy highlights
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3) Be gracious
� Toward the competition
� Be open and friendly!
� Politely redirect a person
with a mistaken ticket
� Allow an unintentional
entrant 1 stop
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3) Be gracious
� Toward your subject matter
� Keep opinions about style
and names to yourself
� Redirect any negative
commentary – highlight
the positives!
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4) Build smooth transitions
� After a competent speaker
� Be supportive
� Reaffirm the audience
learned valuable information
� Transition the audience to
your style and subject matter
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4) Build smooth transitions
� After a spectacular
speaker!
� Remain positive
� Acknowledge the
audience’s enthusiasm
� Transition audience to your style, subject
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4) Build smooth transitions
� After a failed introduction
from previous speaker
� Remain positive
� Sell your talk as engaging
and informative
� Transition audience to your style, subject
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4) Build smooth transitions
� Introduce the upcoming speaker with
sincerity
� Show enthusiasm
� Introduce them by name
� Appraise next speaker of any
pertinent information
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5) Expand your knowledge
� Look at your subject through a new lens
� Be a tourist for a day!
� Remain informed of
current events, trends
� Incorporate relevant
ideas into your talks
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5) Expand your knowledge
� Detours are inevitable:
� Traffic, construction
� Filming locations
� Parades, protests
� Accept circumstances
in a positive light
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5) Expand your knowledge
� Prepare general stories that fit any place
in your talk – you may need them:
� Delays at scheduled
stops, or during setup
� Weather conditions
that obstruct sites
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5) Expand your knowledge
� Have a few versions of the main
stories, anecdotes, and facts
Brief – Standard – Detailed
� Adjust the level of detail to the
time allotted
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5) Expand your knowledge
� Know facts about other
interesting locations
and topics
� Smoothly incorporate
relevant points as
detours occur
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You benefit with each talk
� Boost your spontaneity during
presentations
� Eagerly share your expertise,
inspire others
� Readily navigate unforeseen
detours and other changes
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Audiences benefit as You
� Appear prepared and knowledgeable
� Connect information in a
logical sequence
� Convey an approachable
demeanor as interact
with ease
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Enhance your Effectiveness
1) Gain credibility
2) Use conversational style
3) Be gracious
4) Build smooth transitions
5) Expand your knowledge
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My Background
I recognized the value of these skills while
presenting Chicago city tours atop a
double-decker bus
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Incorporate these 5
techniques to enhance your
live or virtual engagement
Photos taken while applying technique #5