The Secrets Of Great Speakers
Abe Brown, Certified Master Coach Trainer

There is tremendous power in the Spoken Word. One need look no further than the inspirational influence of Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, the Dalai Lama, and Gandhi to feel the shift that occurs when a communicator steps up, hones their craft, and delivers a message. Racism has diminished, repression has ceased, recessions have been halted, and revolutions have begun, all through the power of the Spoken Word.

To be effective, it is important that we visualize ourselves as Great Speakers, create an awareness of the qualities of Great Speakers, and hone our craft as Great Speakers. Becoming a Great Speaker not only nurtures an abundant platform for us, but it can also become an unlimited stream of income.

The 30 Secrets of All Great Speakers:

1. Love Your Audience. The best speakers in the world love and are passionate about the people they are speaking to. The authentic care radiates through every part of our message, and is a huge “take-away” for listeners.

2. The Speaker Is A Part Of The Message. Your energy, passion, and charisma will either attract and retain the attention of your audience, or deter and repel them.

3. Smile. Take a deep breath. It may be your last one - for a while. Start speaking slowly.

4. Understand Basic Communication. The believability of what we communicate is influenced: 7% by words, 38% by tone of voice, and 55% by body language.

5. Never Read Your Speech. Read Your Audience.

6. Be Organized. Put what you have to say in a logical sequence:

- An Introduction
- A Statement of Purpose “Big Idea”
- Two or more main points (development)
- Conclusion

7. Use Your Speaking Time Wisely. A message doesn’t have to be eternal to be immortal! The most riveting speeches in history were 10-15 minutes in length.

8. Share Your Own Speeches. Our messages, keynotes and presentations need to flow from our core.

9. Speak To Individuals. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved. Connect. Engage.

10. Use Your Imagination. Imagination is the ability to make something new out of that which is old.

11. Share A Positive Message. People hear enough negative. Be a positive.

12. Be Bold! Believe in yourself and in the power of your message.

13. Never Be Satisfied With Your Speaking Ability. Hear the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”

14. Write Out Your Speech Word For Word, especially if you are still a beginner, i.e. under 7 years.

15. Know The Needs Of Your Audience And Match Your Content To Their Needs.

16. Know Your Material Thoroughly And Practice.

17. Ensure Your Message Will Be Captivating To Your Audience, As Well As Worth Their Time And Attention.

18. When You Are Presenting In Front Of An Audience, You Are Performing As An Actor On Stage. Look pleasant, enthusiastic, confident, proud, but not arrogant. Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and show appropriate emotion and feeling relating to your topic. Establish rapport with your audience. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident.

19. Body Language Is Important.

20. Speak With Conviction, As If You Really Believe In What You Are Saying.

21. Don’t Read From Notes for any extended length of time. However, it is okay to glance at your notes infrequently.

22. If What You Have Prepared Is Obviously Not Getting Across To Your Audience, Change Mid-Stream.

23. Slow Down. Pause. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think. To be more powerful, use fewer words and more pauses.

24. Add Humor Whenever Appropriate And Possible.

25. Talk About Your Own Experiences.

26. Compliment & Praise Others. It lifts you up when you give credit to others. Insure it is honest and sincere.

27. Never Conclude With Vague Generalities. Call for a response!

28. Have Fun. Enjoy Yourself. When you feel better, you communicate better!

29. Know When To STOP Talking. Do not belabor your closing remarks, or close more than once!

30. Above All Else: Be Yourself!

The 10 Secrets of All Bad Speakers:

1. Failure To Tune In To The Audience’s Favourite – Relevance
Audiences always, either consciously or sub-consciously, ask this: “WIIFM” (“What’s In It For Me?”). Cater to this!

2. Tendency To See Things Only From One’s Own Point Of View.

3. A Vague Message that lacks specifics and does not give listeners concrete actions to take.

4. Failure To Connect With People. When we do not properly connect, we make the greatest mistake a speaker can make: being long-winded!

5. Fear.

6. Lack Of Vision And Risk-Taking… a speaker who plays it safe!

7. Bad Research , i.e. the facts presented are inaccurate.

8. Failure To Prepare. Always give yourself more time to prepare than you think you will need!

9. Lack Of Honesty

10. Failure To Be Yourself

It's a fact! People who have the skills, confidence and courage to present information publicly earn more money, have less stress, are able to communicate their ideas with ease, and have more opportunities presented to them! Their ability to communicate in public enables them to naturally motivate and persuade others more easily because they've invested the time to master a few basic skills!

Whether you speak to 1 person or 1000 people at a time, the Professional Speakers Federation’s public speaking courses can teach you the most innovative public speaking skills, tools and techniques that can easily help you to confidently communicate your ideas.

After taking the Speech Mastery Course, participants soon realize that they can now, more than ever, look forward to giving presentations! Just imagine what it feels like to speak with confidence, conviction, and clarity of thought and composure! Have a look, and contact us for more info: http://www.professionalspeakersfederation.com/

Abe Brown, B.Th., M.R.Ed./C., C.M.C.
403.389.1190
1.866.455.2155
abe@certifiedcoachesfederation.com
www.professionalspeakersfederation.com
www.certifiedcoachesfederation.com
www.momentumcoaching.ca

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