Ditch the script

Among the most common questions we receive from clients who want to improve their public speaking skills are those caused by “panic at the podium.” That’s what I call the moment a speaker realizes that they won’t be able to hide behind a lectern or read an entire script. With this discovery many questions arise: What do I do with my script? How do I stand up? And the ubiquitous “What do I do with my hands?”

We tell clients that them they are the presentation, not your scripts and nothing brings that home like facing an audience without one.

Know that the good news is that, if you are prepared, speak from notes increase your effectiveness as a speaker. No one is your audience that you want to be read to, regardless of the topic. They have come to hear what you you have to say, not what you have to read. (After all, you could have saved everyone time and bother just emailing your script if that wasn’t the case.) The bad news is that you will have to get over the idea that prep stops once you’ve written the content on paper.

Follow some basic guidelines to help you boost your presentation without that script:

· Always start by determining the key messages. Your messages are your port in a storm. Did you lose your place? Return to port. Wondering if the material is relevant? Look at those key messages and decide if any of your material helps explain or convince us of their validity. If the material doesn’t do that directly, set it aside. This is how you will start to cut down on a lot of unnecessary material and get to the heart of why your audience has come to listen to you.

· Reduce notes to key ideas and phrases. Don’t use complete sentences on your note cards and don’t fill them in with fine print. The idea here is to avoid simply reading to the audience. That process becomes much more complicated if you have simply transferred an entire script to small note cards. Instead, focus on larger points with key phrases, using more of an outline reduced to a bulleted form (and numbering your note cards prominently). The idea is to maximize eye contact with the audience and get feedback from them. If you see heads that nod or faces that look back thoughtfully, you will get a sign that you are on the right track.

· Don’t memorize. You want to practice your speaking until you are comfortable with the general shape and outline, but give yourself the freedom to speak on the spot. Nobody knows what you meant. In the meantime, by freeing yourself from exact wording and even exact order, you’ll have a better chance of really connecting and giving your presentation a flow that’s easier for the audience to understand.

· Try to leave even the note cards. If there is a small table or surface to the side where you can place your notes, work to review your notes periodically rather than holding the notes in your hand. Yes, it takes practice. If you need to go back to your notes to check your place, don’t worry. Just stop talking. Review your notes and then start over with your audience. Once you really free yourself from the need to fill every second of time with a written sentence, you will find out how much your accessories (note cards) have been holding you back. If you need to shorten your presentation to suit your ability to stay on track, do so. It is worth it for your audience, to get an idea of ​​your passion and knowledge on a topic, then it is to try to follow a technically detailed presentation that has just been read to them.

· Hands-on hands-on practice. Did I mention the practice? Nothing will increase your competition and audience enjoyment more than having a real sense that you are not. lecturing them, but really communicating their ideas for some purpose. When you feel comfortable, it will show itself, with natural hand movements, a more relaxed voice, a natural rhythm and a more convincing presentation.

Remind, you They are the presentation. The rest are mere aids to help you achieve it.