Delivery
and Platform Techniques
The Main Thing
Don't worry about delivery and platform techniques. Just remember,
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!
When you are presenting a speech, what is the main thing? What is it that
you've carefully wrapped up in words and are presenting to your audience?
It's the message! The reason you are speaking to these people is because
you have something you want them to know!
So what does this have to do with delivery and platform techniques?
Everything!
If you are concentrating on the main thing- the reason you are going to speak,
you will have purpose in your bearing as you walk to the lectern.
1. Approach the lectern confidently.
Have you ever watched someone appraoch you with an important message on their
lips? Your neighbour on his way over to tell you your kids just hit a ball
through his window. Your friend comes to tell of her daughter's new baby.
Do they approach diffidently wondering what you think of them? No! Their
thoughts are totally taken up with the main thing - the message they have
to impart!
Approach the lectern confidently. You have a message. That's the main thing!
2. Speak clearly
There's someone at the back of the room who needs to hear your message. Make
sure he hears it. This is no time to act coy and worry about how your voice
sounds.
What do you do when you look out your kitchen window and see your toddler
escaping through your front gate?
You project your voice. "Johnny! You get back in here!" If the message is
important enough, you have no trouble making it heard!
3. Speak from the heart
Last week Chris told us about finding a clock like her grandmother's. Did
you see the joy on her face and the pleasure in her voice? She was speaking
from the heart, telling us about something that means a lot to her. And it
showed in her face and in her voice, because she wanted us to know of the
pleasure the clock gave her. That was the main thing. As you focus on your
message, your voice will come alive. You will find yourself naturally using
gestures and facial expressions to impart what you have to say.
4. Pause
"Guess what!"
I'm sure you've said that to your friends before telling some startling information.
And what do you do to obtain the maximum effect?
You pause, look intently to see if they are on their edge of their seats,
then drop your bombshell.
That's how a pause is used in a speech. You might say, "I'm going to
tell you something that will change your life!" Build up suspense.
Get rapport with your audience.
5. Eye Contact
Look into their eyes. Command their attention! Communication is a 2 way thing,
even when only one is speaking. Include them in it. Watch their expression
for clues on when to proceed to the next point.
A good speaker makes his audience feel that she is talking directly to them
in a normal conversation.
Forget about techniques.
You have a message.
You really want to let them know it.
That's the main thing.
MAMALADE
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