| Imagine yourself at mission control; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, | | | | audience I have ever seen." Instead say something |
| 2, 1 - Speak!When the space shuttle blasts off - those | | | | that impressed you about the group, 'I am very |
| first few seconds of lift are critical. It comprises a small | | | | impressed with the hospitality shown to me by you |
| portion of the total journey, yet if someone errors - | | | | today. This lives up to the reputation I have heard |
| they crash and burn. The beginning of your speech is | | | | about your community work.'4. Occasion. Comment on |
| much the same. If you error in the opening your | | | | the occasion - especially if it is an anniversary or |
| speech will crash and burn.The mission of your opening | | | | awards night. "To speak to you on your 10th annual |
| is to 1. Grab their interest; 2. Establish rapport; 3. | | | | awards dinner is an honour." Or uncover some |
| Introduce your topic. Here are 10 techniques you can | | | | information about the group that outsiders would not |
| use to launch your successful speech.10. Startling | | | | normally know. "Happy Birthday to your founding |
| statement. Use a strong attention grabbing statement - | | | | president." This takes a little research - and is worth it.3. |
| with facts, statistics or unusual information. "The | | | | Prop or visual. Catch their attention and set the mood |
| greatest fear is to speak in public. The second | | | | with a funny hat, uniform, or stuffed bear. Samuel |
| greatest fear is to die."9. Suspense/ Surprise. Start | | | | Clemens (Mark Twain), would blow a cloud of smoke |
| with a suspense-building sentence or take them in one | | | | on stage before he made his entrance. It always got a |
| direction - then hit them with surprise. "It was a dark | | | | laugh. You might roll a ball across the stage or play |
| and stormy night - it was my wedding night."8. Story | | | | with a yo-yo. What you do before you speak can be |
| Anecdote. Tell a short story. Begin your story with the | | | | powerful.2. Previous speaker. Pick up on something a |
| word imagine. It is an engaging word. "Imagine that we | | | | previous speaker said or did - especially if that was |
| could travel back in time to witness the Wright | | | | the president or chairman of the board. Build on what |
| brothers at Kitty Hawk."7. Quotation. When you use a | | | | they said. It shows that you listened and gives you |
| quotation you tap into the credibility and power of the | | | | more credibility if you agree with the boss. Before you |
| person who stated those words. "I have a dream, | | | | speak ask a participant, "What was the funniest thing |
| cried out Martin Luther King Jr." Quote from people | | | | that happened so far?" Try to build on this to get a |
| well known and well liked by your audience.6. | | | | laugh. Comedians call this technique a call back.1. |
| Challenging Question. Questions are always powerful | | | | Engage the audience. Ask a question that requires the |
| and engaging. This could be a rhetorical question. "Are | | | | audience to answer, or one that is sure to make them |
| you ready for the millennium? When the clock ticks | | | | laugh. "How many of the women in the audience have |
| over to January 1, 2000, will planes be falling and | | | | had an affair with Bill Clinton? - - How many of the |
| computers crashing?"5. Compliment the audience. Be | | | | men? |
| sincere - don't say, "You are the most beautiful | | | | |