SO,YOU'VEBEENASKEDTO'SAYAFEWWORDS' AT A CONFERENCE OR MEETING. WILLYOUMAKETHESEMISTAKES?
As a professional speaker, I have attended, spoken at, and supervised many conferences and meetings. I have seen some amazing professional speakers and some poor professional speakers. But professional speakers are not our subject here...
If you have any knowledge, prominence, awareness, or point to make in virtually ANY subject, there's a fair chance you will be called on to 'do a talk'. This can be in front of the eight-strong accounts team on the third floor, a local charity chapter with a couple of dozen members - or at an international symposium of thousands of your industry colleagues.
WHOAREYOU?
You may be an academic, an author, a teacher, a hobbyist, a manager. You may be a hard-worker who has direct experience of working on a project and must now present their findings. Or you may be a leader of an organisation - and so are expected to address the staff at the annual conference or away-day.
STOP!
In 25 years I have only ever seen one (count 'em ONE!) non-professional speaker who has had the audience eating out of their hands. So, with respect, it is highly unlikely that you will do a good job... But you'll probably NEVER be told. Why?
You are unlikely to have been paid much (if anything) for your talk - no one criticizes a freebie!
The organiser considers themselves lucky and grateful that you agreed to attend
The feedback you get is always positive: "Thanks so much that was absolutely riveting and so relevant..." (blah, blah, blah!)
You are an infrequent presenter, so it doesn't really matter if you're not up there with the professionals, does it?
Attendees of conferences are polite and respectful
You are the boss - they HAVE to listen!
WHAT'S IN THIS COURSE?
There are a number of main sections covering:
WHY this course is necessary. Rationale and an outline of the problem.
BEFOREthe event. 20 minutes research = 500% improvement. Organiser etiquette and preferences. How to be proactively easy to deal with.
STARTING your talk. How not to start your talk (but 95% of non-professionals do). Give the audience a P.U.N.C.H.
A bit about STRUCTURE. Whilst I can't tell you your content (that's up to you) I can help with how you hang it all together!
FINISHING your talk. Fizzle-out finishes and how to avoid them. Handle Q &A like you're supposed to.
VISUALaids. The sins of presenting with slides. Powerpoint is amazing - but not THATamazing, please! The Law of slide transitions...
I finish with a few TIPS AND HINTS to fine-tune your performance!
The simplicity of the course is this: Do what Itell you and you'll get out alive... you might even be invited back next year!
PS (if you are asked back - charge them!)
