Coaching Tips for Powerful Presentations

By Sandra Schrift
Posted Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Tip #1 The purpose of your speech is to get results; to help people make changes and think or act differently. So start with the end in mind. What do you want people to do as a result of your speech? What do they need to know to do this? What do they need to feel to do this?

Tip #2 Show your audience that coaching is a process. It is different from consulting. Do some coaching (role playing) during your presentation. Let audience members see what it would be like to have you as their coach.

Tip #3 Determine what kind of coaching the client wants and needs. Interview a few people before you give your program to find out what challenges they are experiencing. The program chair can provide you with a few names to contact. Then use this information in your speech content.

Tip #4 People learn in three ways: Visual (what they can see), Auditory (what they can hear), and Kinesthetic (what they can touch). Try to include all three ways in your speech. Most of your audience will be visual and need to “see” what they “hear” from you. So tell your personal stories to support your points. When the audience hears your story(ies) they will feel connected to you.

Tip #5 People have short attention spans. Review your main points before you end your speech. Don’t give them too much information. Most people only remember one or two concepts – so provide your best one or two ideas that will have the most significance to that particular audience.

Tip #6 Be conversational by engaging the audience. Don't lecture the audience. Adults love to learn but don’t like to think they are in school. Be interactive. Remember, the audience that gets involved with your material will learn something they can use immediately. A great speaker wants the audience to “own” his/her material.

Tip #7 Use humor. This keeps the audience interested and they learn better. I don’t mean telling jokes. Use deprecating humor or make comments on common every day events, you know, the human condition. Bill Cosby is great at this. Think of others who do this well and emulate their style.

Tip #8 Use strong openings. Examples: a story, a significant statement, a quotation, a challenging question. You really only have 60 seconds to connect with your audience. Then you must provide a speech that engages them. Using personal stories and sprinkling your remarks with humor will keep them interested

Tip #9 Use Strong Closings. Examples: Provide a summary. (Tell ‘em what you told them) Review the main points, make a statement, tell an anecdote. Finally challenge them to take some action . . . immediately, in the next 48 hours, in one week, by the end of the year.

Tip #10 Use an evaluation form. This will provide you with feedback to grow and make course corrections as needed. Keep it short and always ask, “Who else would benefit from this program?” “May I call you to get this information?” Then follow up! For more tips: (www.speaklikeaproforprofit.com)

About the Author
Sandra Schrift 13 year speaker bureau owner and now career coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to "grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with business professionals and organizations who want to master their presentations. To find out How to Become a Highly Paid Professional Speaker, go to (http://www.schrift.com/ProfessionalSpeaker/) Join my free bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine (http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm)