Public SpeakingPublic Speakingf o rf o r

Private PeoplePrivate People

Tips & Tricksfor Amateurs and Scaredy-Cats

(like me!)

4 P’s to Avoid Pure 4 P’s to Avoid Pure Terror!Terror!

Prepare

Practice

PAUSE

Pamper

It’s All About Building It’s All About Building Confidence.Confidence.

PreparePrepare

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

ResearchResearch

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

OrganizeOrganize

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

UnderstandUnderstand

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

PracticePractice

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

PAUSEPAUSE

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

Resume PracticeResume Practice

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

PamperPamper

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

ConfidenceConfidence

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

If Something Goes WrongIf 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

HandoutsHandouts

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 Conclave for more info, and be sure to visit www.abacon.com - they have a ton of great resources!

SummarySummary

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.