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Audiences Will Not Remember Much!

We are naïve if we think every audience will remember everything we say.  That simply will not happen.  At best we can expect our listeners to take a point or a story with them.  We can improve their chances for retention, however, by including the following techniques.

Word the point you want them to remember as specifically as you can. We remember the specific more easily than the general or vague. Develop a powerful and memorable story or case study that supports that very limited point. Summarize the point late in the presentation and use this transition as you restate the point. "Take this key point with you as you leave today. . ., " and then make the point again and perhaps even reference the story as you conclude.

Here is how this might work. The point I want the audience to take with them is "Be willing to ask for things you want in life. " My story is about artificial turf being installed in the Highlands High School football field with money contributed by various concerned citizens. A reporter asked Cris Collinsworth, former pro football star who lives in Ft. Thomas where the football field is located, why he did not give money to help the chemistry department obtain much-needed new equipment. His response: "No one asked!" Near the end I would say, "As you leave today take this point with you: to be successful in life you must be willing to ask for the things you want."

As you finish reading this, remember that in your next speech, you will express a very specific point supported by a powerful or memorable story. Then remind the audience of the point you want them to take with them. This is an effective way to insure that most people in the audience will take with them the ideas you intended to convey!

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Tips to Control the Unexpected in Speaking

You can be well prepared and still have things go wrong in a speaking situation because of the unexpected. Here are tips to control the unexpected.

· Talk to the person in charge of the speaking engagement a week in advance to check on time, location, and context of the speech.

· Get to your speaking location early enough to check out the speaking room and audio visual equipment.

· Test the microphone.

· Find a quiet place in the hallway or an empty room to check your notes and outline one last time.

· Carry an extra copy of your introduction in case the person introducing you failed to bring it with him or her.

· Take a moment to look in the restroom mirror to check your appearance.

· Plan in advance what you might leave out of your speech or add if the program chair tells you the speaking time has been lengthened or shortened.

· Practice your speech in its entirety and time it so that you will not be surprised by the length of your speech in the actual presentation.

· Say the name of the organization aloud so that you will not have a mental block or a mispronunciation when it comes time in your speech to mention it.

The unexpected is always a factor in speaking because you are dealing with people. But these tips will help you to control most of the unexpected situations as they arise.

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