How Do I Prepare For A Speaking Engagement?

I get asked this question a lot. I took public speaking in college, and mostly didn’t learn much The real learning came with the real speaking- getting up in front of strangers to present a topic as an authority. It will scare the shit out of you the first few times, but it gets easier! First and foremost, the key to a successful speaking gig is preparing. Preparing will allow you to feel comfortable, in control and ready for anything. This begins with asking the right questions:

1) Where and when will the event be held? I like to go as far as asking for driving directions and the cell phone number for a day-of contact, just in case Google Maps steers me in the wrong direction. There is nothing more stressful than running late for speaking because you’re lost, especially in a new city, and it will definitely stifle your mojo by the time you have to get up in front of a crowd you’ve kept waiting. Extra points if you can visit the venue in advance, or get a couple photos from the organizers- I’m weird like that, I tend to be most comfortable when I know if I’ll be on a stage, riser, in a small break out room, conference room or ball room. It helps me to visualize how I’ll give the presentation if I understand where I’ll be standing and the orientation of the room (the audience vs the screen and podium).

2) What is the topic? Once you establish a reputation for speaking, you will be asked to talk on all kinds of subjects- if you aren’t qualified to speak on a particular subject, or it doesn’t set your world on fire, ask if it’s open for discussion. Tweeking a topic to suit you will make for a much better presentation, and you’ll probably be more passionate about the topic.

3) Who is the audience, what do they have in common, and what is the “hot button”? Get to know the audience, are they all dentists? Are they all Generation Xers, or do they love poodles? Know who you’re preparing for and customize your presentation to this group. If you’re the outgoing cheeseball type like me you, might even come up with some one liners It also gives you the opportunity to do some research about the industry or topic, what they are experiencing and what the “hot button” issues are. What do these people care about, and what can you deliver that will get them to sit up and listen?

4) How long do you have to speak, and does that time include q & a? It is very frustrating to put the time into a 60 minute presentation and find out that you have 30 minutes. Also, I like to always leave at least 15 minutes at the end for questions and answers – Whenever its logistically possible to facilitate answering questions, organizers should. I think it is totally annoying to listen to an intriguing presentation and then still have questions that I can’t get answers to.

5) Know your material. That’s not a question but that’s ok because its part of preparing. Know it forward and backward, in your sleep. You should be able to paraphrase (not memorize and vomit up a canned, robotic speech) your content comfortably.

6) Will you be able to use PowerPoint/KeyNote? Will they provide equipment or do you need to bring a projector and laptop? Will there be a microphone (stick mic, lapel mic)? This gives you the opportunity to determine if you even need to create slides, and if you do, ensure that you’ll be able to use your slides. Also, you can Google a bunch of great articles about how to create smashing slides, but at the very least, make sure that you use images well to further your point, and consider using a service like SlideShare so that your slides are available to your audience later.

7) Will the presentation be recorded? You may want to do some research and develop some personal policies on how/if you are recorded as you become a better known speaker. I have no problem with a presentation being recorded as long as it is for the organization’s internal use only and not sold. If they’re going to make money on it, we need to talk. If it won’t be recorded, try asking if you can bring a camera person of you’re own- then you’ll have video for your website/blog, as well as samples to send to organizers in speaker submissions and at the very least, it’s a super helpful way to review your speaking for ways to improve.

My final words of advice: Be funny if you feel like cracking a joke. Laugh at yourself if you lose your place or trip on a mic cord (I don’t know anyone who has ever done that… umm…). Be informal, curse if the moment calls for it, even in a formal setting. Your audience will just eat you up if you can connect genuinely because we are all so deprived of authenticity. Stop trying to be something other than what you are, take your mom’s advice and just be yourself. Take a deep breath and channel that nervous energy into enthusiasm, roll with the punches, be spontaneous. After all, you’re prepared and now you can just have fun!

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