“Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

When you’re speaking, it helps to be prepared. That may sound funny after what I’ve just told you, but if you read every day, you will already be prepared-maybe not for the fine points you are specifically speaking about, but usually we are asked to speak about something we are experts at or at least familiar with. Cover your bases mentally. Imagine yourself being in audience. What are you looking for? Being able to trade places with the audience can open you up to a lot of ideas.

2. Have Notes.

Have examples and references in mind to back up your statements, and make them as vivid as possible for your listeners. Notes can sometimes function as a useful reference point, especially if you’re speaking to a large audience. If you’re prepared, no one can tell that you’re using them. Ideally, you don’t want to read a speech. For some reason, no matter how good your delivery is when you read a speech, it’s usually boring. Everyone sees that you’re reading it and it’s never quite the same as delivering it off the cuff. Notes offer the best of both worlds: They keep you focused and moving in the right direction without turning you into a stiff.

3. Be A Good Storyteller.

People like stories, and they’ll remember them. A speech shouldn’t become a lecture. Humor goes a long way, and it will remind you and everyone else that we’ve all got a lot of things in common. Storytelling is a skill, so work on it. It’s helpful to listen to comedians. The good ones can teach you the art of great timing.

4. Think About The Common Experiences.

How can all of us relate to one another? How can you enable your audience to relate to you and to what you’re saying? Everyone has a daily routine and a family. You stuck in traffic jams, you have cranky moments and bad days like everyone else. A lot of your experience can be understood and appreciated by your audience because they’ve had them, too. Look for what you have in common and lead with it. You will create and immediate bond, because they will realize they can relate to you.

5. Be A Entertainer.

People are there to learn something, but also to be entertained. One reasons Elvis Presley was such a great entertainer is that he made every effort to tune in to his audience –it was give-and-take all the way. And nobody did it like Sinatra. Some people call it charisma. I call it tinning in delivering.

6. Be Able To Poke Fun At Yourself.

This will make you accessible to people even if you are up the stage and in the spotlight. We’ve all had disasters in our lives, major and minor. To be able to laugh at them in retrospect is healthy and helpful. Use the blips that we all encounter in our lives to your advantage.

7. Learn To Think On Your Feet.

Memorable public speaking involves a good deal of spontaneity. It’s a lot like negotiating-you have to focus on your goals but remain flexible. A lot of people are terrific writers but not so great at getting their ideas across orally. Writing is a form of thinking, and so is peaking. The difference is that you don’t have time to go back and correct yourself when you’re onstage. It’s not a first draft and it’s not a rehearsal. Be prepared for the performance, because that’s what’s expected of you.

8. Listen In Your Daily Life.

Every day can be a preparation for a speech or a presentation. Have you ever said to yourself, “I will have to remember that one” after hearing someone say something particularly clever or unusual? Even offhand comments that you overhear can be useful. Remember them. Make notes if you must. Everything and everyone can become material.

9. Have A Good Time.

It’s contagious. If your audience believes you are enjoying what you are doing, they’ll enjoy being in your company. If it’s an obvious chore to you, forget it and find someone else to speak for you. Before you speak, remind yourself that it doesn’t matter all that much. Don’t feel that the weight of the world is on you. Most of the people in the room don’t care how well or poorly you do. It’s just not that important. It’s merely a speech-not an earthquake or a war. You’ll have a better time and be a better speaker if you keep it all in perspective.

So, think about your audience first. The rest will fall into place. Involve your audience. They will appreciate being included.

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