It's Andy Fish!

Yup thats me and Veronica (she’s 2nd from left) talking before a group of about 1500 people.

Public Speaking. In a recent poll it beat death in terms of “Fear Of” so that means more people would rather be dead than the person giving the Eulogy. My daughter in law sent me a nice note after her wedding saying she thought I had a real gift, and may have missed my calling as a public speaker.

I’ve taught well over 5000 classes, addressed classrooms, been a graduation speaker, have adressed business groups and I’ve even been in some cases a last minute speaker with absolutely ZERO prep time to address a subject I would have only a cursory knowledge of.

I would advise against that.

I’ve also sat through a lot of presentations including the dreaded POWERPOINT presentation– and I’m begging you if you’re going to present one of those list ONLY the bullet points of your lecture and then read us your notes off a sheet of paper under each bullet point. Why?

Because a lot of people think if they put all of the information into the slides they don’t have to present they only have to read and that’s a HUGE mistake. You will bore your audience to death because I hate to break it to you a lot of us can read pretty fast– and certainly faster than someone who is nervously reading off a giant projection screen.

So what are the keys to successful public speaking, I’ve heard the cliches, picture your audience in their underwear– yeah that would make things more comfortable wouldn’t it? Have a few shots before you step up (actually ONE shot is never a bad idea) or any one of a number of other “tricks”. You know what is foolproof?
KNOW YOUR SUBJECT.

If you are legitimately the expert in the room you have nothing to fear even during the dreaded Q&A session (more on that later). So spend your time prepping by studying your subject inside and out, then write your bullet points, choose your images and compile your detailed notes about those bullet points.

A quick note about images– some of the best presentations I’ve ever sat through had NO images– they had no slides. The person just spoke in a confident way.

Practice your breathing and your voice projection. Once many years ago I worked with a good friend who was running for selectman for the first time, when I would propose we go to the venue to check the acoustics he would propose we go to the bar instead. During his time in a debate someone from the audience shouted out “You sound like you have a bucket on your head!”

Prepare.

Learn how to speak from your diaphram to get your voice to travel the room. If you have to use a microphone make sure it’s positioned UNDER your chin. If you have to hold it– and that’s something I hate because I’ve seen people shake like Michael J Fox when they are handed a microphone, do the same thing, hold it just below your chin but NOT touching your body. The sound guy is your best friend.

Keep the presentation short. I know you probably have a ton of information to go over, but keep it short.

Wedding Toast – no more than 5 minutes. Be sincere, don’t try too hard to be Jerry Seinfeld. Focus on what makes them a great couple, don’t focus on the night of the bachelor party when the groom threw up in your shoes, or how back in 7th grade you both had a crush on the same girl.

Business Presentation – 20-25 minutes max. If you’re doing more than that introduce a bathroom break and come back to it.

Read the room, pick a few people to be focal points. Make eye contact with them, if you’re extremely nervous make eyebrow contact with them. If there is a lot of watch checking and seat shifting speed it up.

During the Q&A – if someone is asking something ultra specific that effects only them, call them out on that and tell them you’ll talk with them after so you don’t take up everyone’s time.

Everyone will appreciate that you appreciate their time.

Lastly, if you don’t have confidence, fake it. The old expression never let them see you sweat hold’s true. Do not tell anyone how nervous you are, just act like you got this and you’ll be surprised how much better you do.