Pump up Your Public Speaking Skills

Five Simple Steps

There are two types of

speakers: Those that are nervous

and those that are liars.

Mark Twain

So what’s in it for you?

ConfidenceConfidence.

VisibilityVisibility

How do I improve my speaking ability?

5

Simple Steps

NeedsKnowledge Level

AttitudesDemographics

What are the elephants in the room?

3 Questions• What do I want the audience

to feel, think or do?• What does the audience

already know about the topic?• What is the purpose of the

presentation?

What was Dr. King’s message?

You must be able to crystallize your

message into a single sentence or phrase…

Develop a 15-30 second “elevator

pitch” for the presentation.

‘You can increase your confidence, visibility and opportunities by improving your public

speaking skills. It takes five simple steps…”

Structure is vital.

The introduction gets The introduction gets the audience’s the audience’s

attention …attention …

Get’s the audience on Get’s the audience on board…board…

… … and and establishes establishes

your your credibility.credibility.

Drama is nice…Drama is nice…

… but only if it suits

your style.

The Body can use any The Body can use any organizational method you organizational method you

choose…choose…

Problem/SolutionProblem/Solution

State the problem.State the problem.

State the whys.State the whys.

State your solution.State your solution.

Cause/EffectCause/Effect

State the cause.State the cause.

Show the effect.Show the effect.

ChronologicalChronological

Topical

JournalisticJournalistic

JournalisticJournalistic

The conclusion summarizes and gives a call to action.

Visual Aids are great IF they enhance the

message.

Not all visual Not all visual aids have to aids have to

be slides.be slides.

If you use slides

Don’t put random images on them.

Decoration does not enhance learning.

Use fonts that Use fonts that are at least are at least 32 point!32 point!

Use Dark Text on a Light

Background

Use Light Text on a

Dark Background

Don’t put red and green

together. Some people can’t read

it.

Don’t put red and green

together. Some people can’t

read it.

Research recommends using large

photographic visuals.

Research recommends using large photographic

visuals.

Use charts to show numbers.

Don’t try to fit into someone else’s Don’t try to fit into someone else’s mold.mold.

Don’t masquerade as Don’t masquerade as something you are not.something you are not.

Just be YOU at your best.Just be YOU at your best.

While you are talking…

Make eye contact.

Sit down or lean on table

or lectern if your legs

shake.

Speak directly to one friendly face.

Focus on the message.

It’s the economy, stupid!

It’s not about you.

It’s about the audience.

Focus OUT not in.

General Tips…

Speak distinctly.

Watch out for distinctive speech patterns.

Stay out of the projector Stay out of the projector light.light.

SeriouslySeriously..

SeriouslySeriously..

How can I know if I am effective?

Donald Kirkpatrick’s Levels of Evaluation

Level 1:

Reaction

How did the participants find the experience?

Level 2:

Learning

Did the participants learn what you needed

them to learn?

Level 3: BehaviorLevel 3: Behavior

Did the participants change their behavior because of what they

learned?

Level 4: Results

Did we achieve the intended outcomes(s) for the organization?

Example: New Safety

Procedure

• Level 1: Evaluation Sheet after training• Level 2: A quiz at the end of training to

determine if participants learned the material

• Level 3: Observation of each employee one month later to see if new procedure is followed

• Level 4: 20% decrease in lost time because of accidents

So how do you

get from wallflower

…

… … to the spotlight?to the spotlight?

Try this approach with

your next speaking

assignment!

Micki VoelkelMicki VoelkelCenter for Business and Center for Business and

Professional DevelopmentProfessional DevelopmentUniversity of Arkansas-Fort University of Arkansas-Fort

SmithSmith479-788-7771479-788-7771

mvoelkel@uafortsmith.edu