Speaking Opportunities Are Business Opportunities and More!

We perceive really good speakers as experts. Perception is reality, and we like to work with experts - correct?

Public Speaking / Delivering Presentations is an excellent way to get yourself in front of prospects, connectors, people of influence, and others to let them know you are an Expert.

That's a problem.

Here's why: 75% of the population suffers from glossophia, the Fear of Public Speaking. People who have this malady don't take, and certainly don't make those opportunities. Consequently, they often lose potential business and career and leadership possibilities.

The research shows:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities!

See why above.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities!

You're likely in a career before going on your own.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities!

There are always leadership opportunities whether working for someone else, or in a trade association, civic group or a variety of other organizations.

The folks who embrace, take and make those occasions to speak, and do it well, increase the perception they are Experts. The result is they grow their businesses, career, and leadership possibilities.

Additionally, people who speak well and are seen as Experts can literally have the "platform" to promote their "platform", i.e. cause or passion. With this Expert Status, their efforts are more productive!

As stated, we also perceive excellent speakers as Leaders. In fact, we expect Leaders to be very good presenters. Some are; many are not.

If you speak well, you are seen as a Leader; be it in a company or organization; formal or informal. Leaders command authority, internally and externally, and are rewarded for their presentation skills.

The "Fear of Public Speaking' holds many back. I've encountered many individuals with great work histories, advanced educational degrees, and "old school" work ethics that are not where they want to be career wise because of poor communication skills. If a person can't speak to a group in a manner that educates, entertains, and explains their message, they are often passed over for people less qualified, but better communicators. This doesn't have to be.

Delivering presentations and speaking to groups is a skill, like all the others we have, that can be learned. No one was born knowing how to ride a bike, drive a car or operate a computer. We all learned these skills, and the same can be done with Public Speaking.

When you deliver that presentation, you want it to be a great one.
Here are some rules to follow that will let the audience know you are an Expert!

The Purpose
The goal of all communication; verbal, written or visual is the same. We want the recipients, as quickly as possible, to GET IT!

They don't have to agree with everything presented, but they do have to understand the message. If not, there cannot be a discussion going forward.

So the Purpose Goal is achieved, the Presentation must do Three Things

1. Educate
The audience should leave your talk knowing more about the subject than when they arrive.

2. Entertain
We like to be entertained. When we're being entertained we pay closer attention. Paying closer attention increases the odds the audience will GET IT!

3. Explain
It's imperative to explain your message in a manner that people understand easily without wondering, "What does that mean?"

Keep in Mind, People have Three Learning Styles

1. Visual
Learn by Seeing.

2. Auditory
They learn by Hearing.

3. Kinesthetic
They learn by Doing.

Were are usually a combination of these, with one being dominant. To help your audience GET IT! address as many of these as possible.

Example: Slides, with graphics that reinforce the message you are Speaking, increase the odds they'll GET IT!

Your talk should contain all the components, parts and elements of a complete presentation.

Introduction
Write you own! The Introduction is not your bio.

The Introduction should answer three questions.
* Why this subject?
* Why this speaker?
* Why now?

Opening
Grab the attention of the audience with a Strong Opening
Tell them what you're going to tell them.
Tell them if, and how, questions will be handled.

The Q&A should not be after your Closing. (That's why they call it the Closing!)

Body
Tell them.

Make three - five points and give a story, preferably a personal one, to support each point

Closing
1. Tell the audience what you told them
2. Have a Strong Closing.
3. The last thing you'll say, will be the first thing they will remember.

When delivering your material, be certain all the nonverbal and verbal messages sent to the audience are in sync with your the content of your talk.

There is plenty of help available.
* Toastmasters - An International Organization dedicated towards helping people with their presentation and leadership skills.
* Adult Evening School Classes - This is where I started.
* Books - There are many great ones available.
* CDs, DVDs - Watching and listening is different then reading. All should be part of the study.
* Blogs - There are a slew of great blogs on this subject. One place I go to regularly is alltop.com
* Personal Coaching - Professionals have coaches; Amateurs don't.

All the above will help, but the Learning is in the Doing!

You can do all the intellectualizing you want about speaking and improving your presentation skills: read books, watch professionals, listen to DVDs and watch videos.

The best advice I can offer is this: Speak! Speak! Speak!

Here's the analogy:
If you want to be a Great Baker - Bake!
If you want to be a Great Swimmer - Swim!
If you want to be a Great Speaker - Speak!

What's the worse that could happen?
The baker's cake falls. The swimmer finishes last. The speaker makes a fool of himself.

BIG Deal! Who Cares?
In the ocean of your life this is a Drop!

I Guarantee:
The worst speech you'll ever give will be far better than the one you never give!

Fred E. Miller is an author, speaker and coach specializing in Public Speaking and Presentations.

He teaches people how to Develop, Practice and Deliver a 'Knock Your Socks Off' Speech with - No Sweat!
Contact Information: Fred E. Miller 314-517-8872 Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com

By Fred E. Miller