"Before I begin, I'd like to make a few disclaimers: I've lived and worked in the Washington, DC, area for more than 30 years, but was born and raised in New York. I'm a type A personality, a certifiable ADHD adult — AND I'm on my fourth cup of coffee (laughter/pause).

"You're confronting the perfect storm, folks (more laughter)."

Good public speaking isn't a science. It isn't even an art form. In today’s economic environment, it’s a necessity.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to promote your organization, raise funds and elevate the visibility and value of your brand. It's a high profile, word-of-mouth opportunity to let people know who you are, what you do, how you do it — and why they should care enough to support your organization.

But you'll squander the opportunity if you don't own your voice and make the necessary connections to engage your audience.

What Works for Me

The best speakers know how to humanize themselves so that they can personally and emotionally connect with those they are addressing. It's more than establishing a rapport. It's about creating a bond of trust and respect between you and your audience — and doing it quickly!

Fifteen years ago I couldn't do what I do today — namely, speak in front of large groups of people and actually believe that they were interested in what I had to say. That's because I didn't own my voice. I was trying to be a professional public speaker instead of myself.

Well, I've since thrown that approach out the window. As a result, public speaking is now fun and something I look forward to instead of being a fate worse than death.

Here's what works for me — and may work for you:

Clear your throat. Even after all these years, I still wrestle with butterflies before speaking in front of an audience. So at the outset of all my speaking engagements I use the same disclaimer that I used to begin this article.

It accomplishes several things for me:

I've got it down pat, so there are no worries about stumbling over my opening lines.
It personalizes and says things that are true about me.
It can be taken humorously and lighten the atmosphere in the room, which most often is the case.
It gets people listening to what else I might have to say that may amuse or entertain them.
Probably most importantly, it helps to clear my throat and pin down those butterflies.

Dress comfortably. For me, that's often somewhere between Donald Trump and Steve Jobs, namely business casual.
Know your subject matter. Although I often use PowerPoint when I speak, I never read from prepared text. The slides simply emphasize for my audience the major points I am trying to make in as few words as possible, as well as provide me with visual prompts as I proceed with my presentation. I know my subject matter inside and out--and so should you yours.
Use stories to make your points. "Let me tell you a true story about..." will almost always capture the attention of your audience and bring to life — and make more memorable--whatever points you are trying to put forth.
Take every opportunity to connect with your audience. In smaller venues I make a point of never standing behind the lectern, but rather I mill about the room, walking up to and interacting with people who may have a question and, if it seems appropriate, encouraging dialog among audience members. Anything to keep people listening, if not to me, then to themselves in short bursts. If you use this strategy, however, be sure you're in control and that your audience doesn't hijack your presentation.
Modulate. Modulate. Modulate. Nothing will turn people deaf more quickly than a monotone voice. In addition to modulating my voice, I often will clap my hands or make some oversized gesture to recapture my audience's attention, especially after lunch when everyone's blood sugar is haywire and eyelids are beginning to droop.
Entertain as well as educate. We live in an age when people are used to being entertained. In fact, they expect it. There's a fine line, however, between being funny, cornball or offensive. Know where that line is, and make sure whatever humor you inject into your presentation is appropriate.
Be passionate. There's no substitute for passion. It's infectious, inspirational, motivational — and cannot be faked!

Here are links to several articles of mine recently published on the web that you may find insightful and helpful to your work:

"As Trust In the Products Weakens, Fewer Voters Are Buying Into Political Party Brands," einnews.com
"Groupthink," contributionsmagazine.com
"You're Judged By the Company You Keep," accountability-central.com
"We Are Sorry," accountability-central.com

As always, I look forward to receiving your feedback, questions, success stories and branding challenges. Also, if you are in need of a motivational speaker, trainer, branding consultant/coach, or management consultant who can help you answer the questions: Who are we? What do we do? How do we do it? And should anyone care? I invite you to for more information.

In the meantime, good luck with your branding! — Larry

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