More and more organizations are now recognizing this wisdom and the need for their people at all levels to seek out speaking engagements. Much of my time now goes to helping executives design their presentations.

In February, for the second time, I attended and spoke at the Ragan
Speechwriter Conference. Both times, I found it one of the most fun and
educational events of the year. Carol Ballock of CEOGO.com described
some impressive research from Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It found that in 1997 CEO's
reputations make up 40% of the reputation of the organization they run.
By 2003, that number had reached 50%.

Years ago, I spoke in Las Vegas at a Century 21 convention. Paul Harvey, also on the program, told the audience: "For a company's advertising program to work, it has to be handled not only corporately but also individually." I could not have said it better.

More and more organizations are now recognizing this wisdom and the need for their people at all levels to seek out speaking engagements. Much of my time now goes to helping executives design their presentations.
 

* The PowerPoint(R) comes last! Design your message first...add visuals only if needed. 

* Tell the stories you entertain your family and dinner guests with.

* Talk about what you are most passionate about and find the metaphor
for the subject of your speech.

* Ahead of time, interview some of the audience members—your customers, associates of your firm, or other leaders in your industry—and quote them in your talk.

* Don't try to say too much. Say less, illustrate it well, and stop.

* Shake hands and talk to some of the audience in advance. The more
personable they see you are, the more attention they will give you.

* Get comfortable in the room where you will be speaking. Practice
before anyone arrives. Make friends with the stage, platform, or front
of the room.

* Start early! Get your concept, content, and scripting together and
practice. If you walk or get on the treadmill that is a great time to
"talk to yourself." Get comfortable with the words. Your goal is to know it so well you can forget it. As Michael Caine says, "Rehearsal is the work, performance is the relaxation."

* Edit your notes to an outline with bullet points. Do NOT read your
speech or remarks. You want to be personable, not perfect.

* Make sure the type face on your notes is large enough so you can
glance down and read it easily. I use 22pt type!

* Watch the word "stuff." It is not specific and diminishes the power of
what you are saying. When my clients say this as we develop their
remarks I always ask, "Specifically what do your mean?"

* Delete most of the "todays" out of your remarks. Start listening to
how overused that word is in most business presentations. It is used to
mean "this time in history" and "right now." Everybody knows you are in
the room now. Stop "todaying" your audience. One executive I watched
used the T word 28 times in his 4 minute welcome. Even if his audiences
were not counting them as I was, they would perceive him as less
articulate than he was expected to be.

You may or may not be a CEO—yet—but being perceived as a charismatic
speaker will help your ambitions and reputation! 

Patricia Fripp is an award-winning speaker, sales trainer, and executive speech coach who delights audiences, electrifies executives who speak, and transforms sales teams. "Meetings and Conventions" magazine calls Patricia "one of the country's 10 most electrifying speakers." Author of the popular books, "Make It! So You Don't Have to Fake It" and "Get What You Want." 

Visit: http://www.fripp.com/
http://www.speakersroundtable.com/fripp/

(c) Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE -- Speakers Roundtable Member

Speakers Roundtable is an invitation-only association of 20 of America's foremost professional speakers. The members of Speakers Roundtable include business experts, award-winning professional speakers, authors, trainers, and consultants. 
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