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Re-post from Matt Church: The Mathematics of Retention

Published on in produce your message. Closed Tags: .

Check out more from Matt at his web site here.

Too often when speaking in public, presenters try to give you all of their information. To be world class, don’t make too many points within your speech. Five points, give or take up to two, is the rule. We tend to retain what we can count on one hand. Presenters who presume to teach 21 tips in 21 minutes are pretty content-centred, and do not really respect the mathematics of retention.

Some tips:

1.   Have 3-7 core messages to your presentation
2.   Every 7-15 minutes or so, introduce a new point
3.   Always have less rather than more. Fear makes us over-prepare content
4.   Have a “bare bones” version of your speech prepared with 1-3 points only
5.   Always have one overarching point for every speech, and make this very clear

Less is more.


The Power of the pause

Published on in Deliver with Style. Closed Tags: , , , .

delivering-voice-energy-pause1Good tips from Chris King of Creative Keys:

How to Make Use of the Power of the Pause:

45. Begin with silence. It takes “guts” to stand in front of an audience after being introduced without saying something immediately, but this can prove to be one of the strongest ways to get their attention and to create rapport. Lee Glickstein, a well known speaking coach and speaker from Mill Valley, California, suggests that we start our presentations by standing quietly, making eye contact with audience members, letting them make contact with us, and then once everyone is comfortable and waiting with anticipation, start with a dynamic story. You will be amazed at the level of attention this produces.

46. Pause to develop relationship between you and your listeners. During a pause, the speaker is more like a listener. This is a time when both are listening and the speaker can take note of the audience’s quality of listening. We might realize that as the presenter we need to change course and tell a story or possibly ask for questions. If, however, we don’t take a moment to evaluate reactions and interest, we might just forge ahead without maintaining the audience’s attention.

47. Pause with purpose. There are many times throughout a presentation a pause can add emphasis and/or give the listener a chance to ponder, or even laugh. When we have just made an important point, a startling or unusual statement, or a call for action, participants need a moment to take notes, think about what we just said, or catch up. Even though we can hear words faster than anyone can speak, we do need time to think about what was said and then form our own ideas. If, as presenters, we give participants enough time, they will be much more likely to buy into what we are presenting than if we just keep on moving fast forward with the information that is so familiar to us. I have also heard speakers who make a humorous statement and then don’t let the audience members have time to “get it” and laugh. People need time to laugh. And laughter is important because it bonds the audience and speaker.

For additional presentation information and other Special Reports loaded with great tips visit: http://www.creativekeys.net/SpecialReports.htm

Source: Three Tips from Special Report #5 – “60 Tips on How to Give ‘Knock Their Socks Off Presentations”