Was this Obama's Best Speech Ever? Fort Hood Speech Getting Widespread Attention
Of all the tips I give my presentation training clients, the most important is to tell stories that flesh out your key message points. The concept of "telling stories" confuses many people. I often have clients tell me "I'm not a natural story teller."
Or, "I agree with the idea of telling stories in principle, but it just doesn't seem appropriate in our business situations, and besides, there is not enough time."
Sadly, this shows a misunderstanding of what story telling is all about. Let's clarify what stories are not:
Stories don't have to be funny
They don't have to be long (30 seconds is often enough)
They don't have to be about famous people or based in well-known locales
They don't have to be worthy of winning a Pulitzer Prize
It is important that your stories have a message, a resolution, a setting, one person, dialogue, another person, a problem, emotion, and passion.
Stories are not the most efficient way of communicating data, which is why most business communicators strip out all stories from their speeches. However, stories are the most efficient way of getting audience members to remember what you said.
If your goal is to get people to remember your key points, stories are essential. If you don't care if people remember anything you say, then just present facts and bullet points in a straight forward manner.
But if you don't care if people remember your points, why bother giving a presentation in the first place?
If you watched Obama's speech last night, think of what you remember. I bet it was the stories he told...
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Preparing Yourself Before the Speech while at the Location
Create a descriptive title for your speech which explains the benefits to the audience.
Walk around the room before you speak (while it is empty) and touch the chairs.
Get comfortable with the room.
People will be watching you long before you speak, so avoid any nervous or annoying actions.
Constantly observe your surroundings before and during your speech.
Wait for everyone’s attention before you speak.
Don’t put your notes on the lectern ahead of time, because someone may walk off with them.
Exercise before you speak. Exercise will energize you and help eliminate nervous tension.
Directing your Eye Contact during your Interview
Don’t eye surf and don’t have your eyes dart quickly across the room.
If you are being interviewed by remote and there is a TV monitor next to the camera, don’t glance over at it to look at yourself while the interview is going on. You will look shifty-eyed, nervous, and weird. (You might ask for it to be turned off if it's destracting)
Don’t look up at the ceiling when you are thinking what to say. You’ll look like you are BSing.
Look down if you need to look away for a moment. You’ll look thoughtful.
Don't dart your eyes.
Don’t look at the camera unless there is no reporter or host with whom to speak.
It is easier talking to a human being than it is talking to a hunk of metal.
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Preparing Yourself Before the Speech while at the Location
Directing your Eye Contact during your Interview
