Three quick tips for addressing packed halls
We train and coach many people who give business presentations in all kinds of conference rooms. But also speakers who want to inspire full rooms, during all hands meetings, conferences or a wedding.
And that in turn brings a specific set of challenges. Therefore, this time three tasty tips for giving a top performance.
1. My speech is on paper, I'm super happy with it, but now what?
Recognizable! How do you go from a written text to a workable speaking text? At Speak to Inspire, we love the yellow highlighter.
Step 1: Read your text once quietly.
Step 2: On each page, mark up to 3 important words with your highlighter.
Step 3: Read through your text again and see how these words represent a block of text.
Step 4: Isolate the yellow highlighted words to a small talking card.
Step 5: Tell your story aloud using the key words. Now think of these words as your "stepping stones" to the other side of the river.
Feels good huh! You tell your story relaxed and don't have the stress of literally conveying your beautifully written sentences. Instantly makes you a much more natural speaker!
2. I find clicking through my PowerPoint and speaking at the same time an awkward combo; is there another way?
there is another way! Print out your slides in the format of 6 small images per page and give them to a colleague along with the clicker. Practice together once and then have your colleague do the clicks from the audience.
You then stand there shining while behind you your slides miraculously appear. Pure magic and gives you peace of mind and leadership. After all, you are now not standing like a servant talking to your own slides. You have your focus completely with your audience.
3. I get the feedback that I mostly look at people in the front row when I speak. Do you have a tip?
Of course I have a tip. Many speakers forget to include the balconies, nooks and back rows with their eyes in the speech. The result is that much of your audience doesn't feel seen and your story has less impact. Most speakers engage responsive people with their eyes. Those are people in your audience who start nodding along from your first sentence.
You can do better than that!
Take advantage of interaction by raising your hands. This forces you as the speaker to watch where hands go up in the air. Automatically you survey the entire room.
Next, project in your mind a large letter W onto your audience.
During your talk, look with calm eyes at people sitting on the 5 ends of this letter. This will ensure that you engage the entire room with your eyes during your story. More eye contact is more connection, is more impact.
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