Some speakers find it easy to use props to help keep them on track with what they want to say during their presentation. For example, I know one man who wears a different hat for each segment of his speech – he changes the hat and replaces it with another when he goes to the next segment. The hats remind him of key points to cover in each portion of his speech.
Vary your presentation - use audio visual props such as flipcharts, PowerPoint presentations, pass out handouts for your audience to read, use different intonations of voice - speak louder or softer - don’t make the mistake of using a monotone. Move around the stage (within reason - you’re not up there to give a Chorus Line review.)
Identify your audience – who is your target audience? Who are your attempting to deliver your message to? Is it teachers? Drug addicts? Can you identify with your audience, and even more importantly, can they identify with you?
Let your imagination run wild when trying to imagine props to use. Humor can be introduced into your presentation with some “wild and crazy” props – I’ve seen speakers bring mannequins on stage and throw them around to make a point, I’ve seen people use simple magic tricks and sound-effect machine that make noises like a crying baby or galloping horse to illustrate a point.
Not at all. But consider this - if your audience isn’t listening – if you’re boring them, you’re not delivering your message in an effective manner. And if you’re not getting through to them – you’re wasting your time and your message is being lost. You don’t have to become a comedian to be a good, but you do have to know when to use humor to get your message across.
When practicing your presentation and polishing the material – keep an eye out for jokes or one-liners that you can use. Try to find material that integrates with your style – don’t try to steal someone else’s delivery. The audience will respond to you if you just be yourself.
Hone your speaking skills – someone needs to critique your presentation – a friend, colleague or spouse. Have you tried having someone coach you or received instruction on how to be a better speaker?
Have you ever had the feeling when you get up in front of an audience to give a speech that you’re utterly and completely naked? Not in the real sense, of course, but in the sense that it’s just you, the microphone and the audience. You have no podium to hide behind – no slide projector or pointer – in other words, you have no props.
A key point many public speakers forget is that they don’t have to be perfect to be an effective public speaker. You can get tongue-tied, forget whole sections of your speech, go off on a tangent, and not recall your best joke – and the audience may still love you. In fact, they may relate to you better if you’re imperfect than if you got up in front of them and delivered a polished and flawless speech. You’re less intimidating – more like them.
Come into the room with the attitude that you’re simply having a conversation with a roomful of friends - you’re going to tell them a story about … whatever your speech is about. If you’ve researched your topic, know your material and practiced what you’re going to say, you’ll find it easy to have this mindset.
Next, have a “hook” at the very beginning of your presentation - a joke, a one-liner, a poignant story - something that instantly draws your audience into your presentation. Make it funny, make it serious - it doesn’t matter as long as it compliments your presentation - but make it interesting enough to make your audience listen to you.
The dislike or loathing of public speaking stems from fear - the single biggest fear people seem to have is that they’re going to make complete idiots of themselves in front of a live audience. Or maybe that they’ll forget their lines. Or the audience will start throwing rotten tomatoes at them. Or perhaps they’ll pass out in front of all those people. I’ve seen many public speakers forget their lines, or lose their place in their speech, but I’ve never seen anyone pass out.
Like it or not, public speaking is part of the entertainment industry – and even if your message is a serious one – audiences still want to be entertained. If you’ve been hired by an organization or a service club to stand up and deliver a message, you need to be able to do just that – or you won’t be invited back. Nor will you receive any recommendations to address any other group they might be connected with.
Your personal style and the subject matter of your speech should dictate the types of props you can use. For example, don’t use a humorous prop with a serious subject. Props can be simple or complex – they don’t have to be elaborate – the key to using an effective prop is that it should help convey your message – no more, no less.