Presentations Success Newsletter from Baker Communications

Pre-Speech Checklist

By James A. (Jim) Baker
Founder and CEO
Baker Communications, Inc.
February 2006

Whether you realize it or not, one of the most important keys to a safe, successful airline flight is the preflight check list the crew follows before the plane is cleared for take off. The pilot may have skill and experience, but if he or she skips the check list, it could lead to a tragic result.

Effective presenters must follow a check list, too. All the talent and charm in the world can't save you if you skip an important step and lose your audience somewhere along the way. Print out this list and refer to it whenever you are prepping for an important presentation, and you will have a much better chance of reaching your destination safely!

• Know your audience. Who are they? What are their interests? What is the reason for this meeting? How knowledgeable are they likely to be about your topic? The topic of the meeting might be "Latest Advances in Medicine," but presenting to an audience of senior citizens at a Medicare symposium is entirely different than presenting to a conference of neurosurgeons, even though the topic of the session might be worded exactly the same! Make sure you understand your audience and their needs before you develop your content.

• Prepare thoroughly. Even though you probably have a background in your topic (otherwise, why would you be invited to speak on it?) that doesn't mean you should just stroll up to the podium and wing it. Your audience deserves the best material you can share with them, so do whatever research is necessary to provide the most in-depth, accurate, helpful information you can find.  Collect more information than you actually need, and then whittle it down to the best of the best.

For the full article, click here

The Messenger As the Message

Most presenters are obsessed with the quality of their content. They struggle mightily to refine their research and polish their rhetoric in order to have the most persuasive impact possible. This is all very commendable. However, reliable research tells us that the actual content of the message is only a 10% factor in determining whether an audience will accept a presentation as believable. Consciously or subliminally, their reaction to factors such as tone of voice and body language supplies 90% of the supporting evidence they use to determine their level of acceptance. Ultimately, the messenger becomes the embodiment of his message, because if the audience decides they trust him, they are much more likely to accept what he says.

During this interactive webinar you will:

• Learn the power of excellent delivery skills in enhancing the impact of your message

• Develop techniques for improving the quality of your voice

• Learn helpful relaxation techniques

• Learn to recognize and control distracting body language

• Understand the power of facial expressions and eye contact

To see all of our available webinars or for more information, Click Here.

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