Public Speaking Cheat Sheet

Eye Contact Scanning and panning makes it look like you’re looking at everyone. But if you get more comfortable, make eye contact with audience members one by one actually connects you with your audience.”

Use Pauses, Not "Uhms" While pausing may seem worse because it is a a stop, it allows you to think without trying to say the word hum at the same time. Also there is far less of an impact when compared to a speech that is filled with hums. Hum is a very unique word that sticks at and can really bring down a well written speech. Don't let your unevenness take away from your preparedness

Use Visual Aid When using audio-visual aids to enhance your presentation, be sure all necessary equipment is set up and in good working order prior to the presentation. If possible, have an emergency backup system readily available. Check out the location ahead of time to ensure seating arrangements for audience, whiteboard, blackboard, lighting, location of projection screen, sound system, etc. are suitable for your presentation.

Speak unusually slowly. When you get nervous, it’s not just your heart beat that quickens. Your words also tend to speed up. Luckily Sinek says audiences are more patient and forgiving than we know.

“They want you to succeed up there, but the more you rush, the more you turn them off," he says. "If you just go quiet for a moment and take a long, deep breath, they’ll wait for you. It’s kind of amazing.”

Body Language Body language is important. Standing, walking or moving about with appropriate hand gesture or facial expression is preferred to sitting down or standing still with head down and reading from a prepared speech. Use audio-visual aids or props for enhancement if appropriate and necessary. Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well before your presentation. Do not over-dazzle your audience with excessive use of animation, sound clips, or gaudy colors which are inappropriate for your topic. Do not torture your audience by putting a lengthy document in tiny print on an overhead and reading it out to them.

Don't Rely On Notecards Do not read from notes for any extended length of time although it is quite acceptable to glance at your notes infrequently. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Do not mumble. If you made an error, correct it, and continue. No need to make excuses or apologize profusely.

Humor Add humor whenever appropriate and possible. Keep audience interested throughout your entire presentation. Remember that an interesting speech makes time fly, but a boring speech is always too long to endure even if the presentation time is the same.

Be Ready to Improve Sometimes your not always ready to go up and give a speech. Sometimes you've forgotten or things didn't go quite as planned and you didn't answer a question. Always consider what can go wrong and make sure you have an initial plan before going up.