If you are asked to speak at a club, organization, or conference you should say YES. Speaking is not something to be afraid of doing. It’s fun! Here are 10 tips to help you.

Make sure you know the basics. How much time will you have? How big is the audience? Exactly what is the topic you will speak about? What is the room like – rows of chairs, round tables, etc.?

 Jot down notes about your topic. Put as much as you have on paper. Eliminate everything that isn’t on topic!

 What stories can you tell that illustrate your main points? People like stories much more than they like facts!

 If you are familiar with using PowerPoint consider using it. Slides with the fewest number of words are best. Never read what is written on the slide to the audience. If you are not familiar with it, this is NOT the time to learn. You want to be comfortable when you speak, you don’t want to be concerned with your tech. [Lincoln didn’t have PowerPoint for the Gettysburg Address. He did very well.]

 Plan what you want to say. Write it out if you like…but don’t even consider reading it or trying to memorize it. Practice your talk. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be.

 Good news! If you forget to say something…ONLY YOU WILL KNOW. Don’t worry about it.

 Prepare a handout to give out AFTER you finish that summarizes your main points. Don’t give out your PowerPoint slides. Without you describing the slide, they shouldn’t make any sense. If it does, they audience didn’t need you to speak. 

Arrive early. Test the microphone if there is one.

 Remember…the audience wants you to do a good job. Nobody wants to see a speaker fail. They are on your side. Smile…and go out and speak!