Speaker's Briefing

3 keys to successful preparation ... review, review and review!
You’ve done all the research, pulled together all the facts; you’ve outlined and drafted your presentation. What’s the next step to success? Give that first draft a “triple review.”

Relaxation techniques: Breathe deeply to calm pre-speaking nerves
Nationally acclaimed speech coach Marjorie Brody suggests two simple breathing techniques to reduce nervous tension just before speaking. These ideas are so visually low-key that you can even use them while seated on the dais.

Tech talk: For painless repeats, streamline your portable presentations
When you’ve gone to the trouble of creating a good basic presentation, don’t let it go to waste — recycle it! Look for new audiences and venues to repeat your success. Other members on your team can use the same presentation and spread your message to additional audiences. The more the merrier. But if the presentation will be using PowerPoint or other sophisticated tools, take these simple steps to avoid any glitches that can arise.

Word watch: A few little letters can make a big difference
When preparing your remarks, watch out for words that may look or sound the same but differ in nuance or meaning. Here are three examples of words with subtle distinctions that can be easily confused.

Avoid the 7 deadly sins of speech humor
Unless you’ve been invited to appear as a professional comedian, tread softly when it comes to humor. Don’t try to pass for a hometown version of David Letterman or Jon Stewart, and don’t try to shock your audience into laughter. Look for humor that is warm, personal and relevant to your audience, your topic and yourself. Above all, shun the “seven deadly sins” of speech humor, says veteran comedy writer Gene Perret — whose clients included Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Phyllis Diller.