What happens when a speaker (make that the majority of speakers) begins with “I’m going to talk to you today about (fill in the blank)”? Cue the snooze, right?
Speakers: how do you capture our attention from the very start when you are already nervous about speaking? By motivating us to listen to you. Remember, it is your first few lines that offer you the greatest anxiety and threaten us with an anticipated nap. To avoid dispensing “verbal Ambien," script those lines:
• Draft your first two sentences. No more or you will be glancing down too long.
• Type those out in a large font on an 8 1/2” X 11” piece of paper. This is your cue card.
• Now memorize those lines. Know them well enough that you can look directly at your audience.
If there are still “spots in your eyes,” don’t worry. Just glance down at your large, easy-to-read cue card. With that technique, you will be more confident about approaching the presentation.
For openers that motivate audience attention, read more on our blog posting of this article.
From Claudia Coplon and Steve Clements, Executive Speak/Write’s skills improvement trainers who can help you prepare and deliver oral and written communications that drive business.
