How Not To Give a Speech – Sarah Palin

or for better quality try:
http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/clips/shatner-does-palin-072709/1139665/

One of the formulas for a successful speech is:

1. Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
2. Tell them.
3. Tell them what you told them.

Many times however a speaker will cover numerous subjects and ideas and takes the path not traveled, over and over again until in the end you don’t remember a word or idea. Your speech shouldn’t have to be turned into poetry to have it make sense.

Cali Lewis Speaking Tips

Cali Lewis shows us fun, energy and enthusiasm, plus preparation and knowledge all wrapped up into one polished performance.

Here are some of the great fundamentals she employs.

- She’s relaxed, smiling, and laughing and having a good time

-  Instead of being stuck behind the lectern she moves freely across the large stage.

- She’s got lots of great content which she knows well.

- She is the main focus of the presentation. Her screens are off to the side.

- She uses audience participation by having people raise their hand and repeat what she says.

- She uses her laptop for her notes and doesn’t have to look at the screens to see what is next.

A couple of negatives

1. She uses a gigantic clicker in her right hand which distracts a bit from the presentation.
2. If she used a lavaliere microphone she could gesture freely with her both hands.

In summation, if more presenters were like Cali we wouldn’t have bored audiences.

Say It Like Obama

There are very few “Advanced” speaking technique books available, but this one shows you most of the techniques of a masterful speaker. “Say It Like Obama,” shows us the art of speaking as  presented by our President. If you’re interested in becoming a great speaker, this book is a must.

Note – I wonder why the book doesn’t mention the President’s speech-writing team headed by Jon Favreau? Newsweek has a good article on this very young writer. It’s interesting to note that in one part of the article it mentions that it took three people, three weeks to finish one speech.(click here)