5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Speech

Giving good speech is difficult. Public speaking is a true skill that you can evolve over time; a combo of art and science. Thinking about an approaching presentation, I can’t help but hone in on those words I know do not belong.

• MAKE SOME NOISE!!! Unless you are at the MTV Music Awards this Is not much of a crowd pleaser. The key point is these: Know The Audience. Your audience should dictate your style and approach, the words you use, and so on. If you can not modify your pitch to the audience you’ll turn people off quicker than you can say…
• Did That Make Sense? Actually, it did not. And on top of that, because you had to ask me I am so withdrew at this point that I have started playing a game on my Mobile. The key here: Practice. Do it in front of the mirror. Do it in the shower. Do it in front of others. Do it in public. If you give a speech in front of friends and family who aren’t in your field of expertise and they get it, you have got yourself a winner.
• Hm… The awful “hm” is so ordinary in our speech we often forget about it. But as you stand in front of a crowd, selling them whatever you’re selling (and do not be mistaken: you DO) too many “ums” shows a lack of training and experience.
• What Else Can I Show You? I don’t know, you tell me, that is why you are standing up there on the stage and I am sitting here thirstily in the crowd. Presentations are stories - they need a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t matter the setting, format or style of presentation. Whenever you are standing in front of people and giving a speech, you’re spinning a story. That means it require all the elements of a nice one.
• I Guess That’s It. Well is that the end or not? You would know better than me. Professional writers advice ending strongly, and it’s important when giving a presentation. Even saying, “That’s the end” is kinda lame - your final point (and the entire presentation arc) should make it obvious enough, and you should be able to transition instantly into the next step - be it questions, slinking off the stage, hours of clapping…

So, I guess that’s it.

Kidding.

Public speaking is the sort of thing that makes grown men cry, and buckles people to their knees. Here are the main Four Ps of Presentations:

1. Prepare. You might not need a detailed script, but prepare something. Make sure your story is compelling, entertaining and worth listening to.
2. Practice. You need to exercise. Even professional presenters exercise. Make sure you at least read it out loud a few times to develop a good rhythm.
3. Participate. You should always try to engage your audience. The sooner they feel like they’re part of what you’re doing, the better.
4. Pronunciate. You have to speak understandably. There should be no mumbling in a presentation. And another thing there there - Project. Speak understandably and firmly to get your point across.

[Via Instigator Blog]