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