Yes, I was wearing high heels.) And here’s what happened: What sounds like a speaking disaster turned out to be a great speaking experience, for me and for the audience. Several board members split up the tasks at hand and pitched in to figure out solutions, including bringing a projector and figuring out how to handle the patchwork of audio-visual equipment. If push came to shove, I’m always coaching speakers to plan ahead, then be ready for anything on the ground. That's two different mindsets: One to get ready, rehearsing for the ideal; two, to toss that out

Survey the organization I have two questionnaires: one is about the company in general and how my presentation fits into the overall theme of the conference or training, and the other is a questionnaire for individuals who will be attending my workshop, to find out what their public speaking needs are. These two questionnaires form the bulk of information I receive about a speaking engagement. I just got back from a fabulous quickie trip to San Diego where I delivered a training at a gorgeous resort to a group of fun and willing participants (welcome, ECGMC blog visitors!).

If you're serious about public speaking, at some point you'll be working with a program manager--the person who arranges events and speakers--to get yourself on a program. Stephanie's a beginning speaker who needs to establish herself with the people who can invite her to speak, but every speaker needs a working relationship with program managers to ensure the success of a talk or presentation . It's also These are the people who make your speech happen, from inviting the crowd to overseeing the logistics and making sure your topic is one that's welcome. Want to get speaking invitations?

These competencies guide the selection of program topics for NSA’s educational meetings and publications and form the core curriculum for NSA’s Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) program. It entails knowing which body of expertise is ideal for you, as well as researching and developing the content of your speaking presentations/performances. recording, writing, online education, and MY PROFILE EVENTS INSIDE NSA TOOLS MEMBER SERVICES CHAPTERS/GROUPS PUBLICATIONS BLOGS Related Topics

When going over room setup and audio / visual requirements with a foreign logistics person, make sure you do it in advance of the presentation (hopefully several times), and have a bilingual person there to ensure that both you and the logistics person are on the same wavelength. Be in the room very early on the day of the speaking engagement (at least two hours before the public enters the room) and, if possible, have your bilingual helper there too. Terms that are familiar to most English speaking speakers are difficult to translate into a foreign language.

Describing a cartoon is an easy method for using cartoons without having them physically available or needing audio/visual equipment to show them. This is especially true in international audiences where the visual aspect takes on a greater significance. Try to fill the frame of the visual with your cartoon or comic strip. When certain prominent features of something or someone are highlighted and other features are diminished, that is called caricature. Studies have found that it is easier to identify a political leader from a caricature than from a real photograph.

I've got a full slate of speaking engagements , already in motion, between mid-April and late May--and all over the U.S., Here's what's on my list of reminders that come in handy when you're lucky enough to be in demand as a speaker: Double-check and record all your logistical arrangements: From travel arrangements to audio-visual equipment, make sure you've got your bases covered--and can carry those details with you in a PDA, thumb drive or other portable device. from Oregon and New York to South Carolina and Washington, DC. Even if you're an experienced