Cam Beck asked me this question the other day in response to my post about your worst public speaking fear coming true : "So how do you know the difference between preparing and over-preparing?" First of all, here's what it looks like to be unprepared . Also, here's a post I wrote about how I prepare for a presentation . I've read lots of articles that say you can never be too prepared, or that it's better to over-prepare. I

Prepare for Hardware and Software Mishaps 15. Date: 07/21/2009 04:06:26 Two webinar "addicts" took an irreverent and almost systematic look at webinar practice. 15 Tips for Webinars: How to Add Impact When You Present Online By Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE July 7, 2009 Whenever you open your mouth, whether youre talking to one person or a thousand, you usually want to get a specific message across. How do you do that best when you are communicating through a webinar?

If you're not ready for a prime-time slot as a speaker , but still want to get some practice, try these smaller stepping stones on your path toward public speaking: Ask a question when someone else is speaking. For one thing, moderators often are treated as one of the panel and remain up front during the panelists' presentations, so this role may be a more visible practice opportunity. Not ready for a keynote speech, big presentation, commencement address? Finding it hard to get booked for a speech or get on the program at a conference?

I've heard many speakers say that they create their presentation at the last minute, don't practice, and basically wing it , all because they don't want to lose spontaneity. They're afraid that if they practice, they will sound rehearsed or worse, memorized. Is it possible to be prepared and still be spontaneous? Of course it is! I'll share my method of preparation just as an example.

Athletes, of course, are experts at mental preparation , as I've talked about here and here . This is when mental preparation and a healthy perspective can have the greatest benefit. "It's kind of difficult to go home with no hardware, but you know, I'm gonna suck it up and cheer on the rest of my teammates." ~ Tyson Gay, after the U.S. But athletes aren't just prepared for winning. How's your attitude? It's not just in the content, delivery, props and equipment that a speaker delivers a complete package.

ComputerWorld Editor Maryfran Johnson has an interesting article about the importance of preparation when developing a presentation.  For some speakers she found that practicing out loud in advance of their presentation was in part the key to their success as presenters.  Other speakers she found liked developing and practicing their big themes then going for a more extemporaneous approach to their presentations.  Regardless of approach the key was to take the time to be prepared.   ...Tags: Tags: PowerPoint Guidelines Presentation

For some speakers, the dangers of a speech lurk in the preparation. They over-prepare for speeches , focus on the writing, or worry about potential pitfalls. Practice your opener several times, so that you can do it without referring to your notes and make early eye contact with the audience. Tags: women and public speaking speech preparatio In some sense, they may be biting off more than they can chew. Here's an alternative: 7 bite-sized, manageable steps you can take to get ready for your next speech.

However, after doing quite a bit of practicing, getting some lessons, and more practicing, I have become a fairly decent golfer. If I wanted to do really well, I would probably have to practice a lot more. What is amazing about golf - and almost anything really - is that if you practice at it, get some good instructions on how to fix things you are doing wrong - and practice some more - you can get very good at it. I love to golf. I

where you audio record yourself so you can hear the monotone; this makes it easier to work on increasing the inflection in your voice. | Voice coach. | Try to imagine you are having a one-to-one conversation with various members of the audience -- we are less likely to speak in a monotone in an actual conversation. BORING BEHAVIOR: Too Much Content SOLUTION: Be ruthless in editing your material when preparing the presentation. | Do your homework to find out the audience's needs so you can tailor your message and content to what is relevant to them. | Be clear yourself

Following up on part 1 of my preparation rituals series, today let's talk about another two kinds of rituals. There are rituals for mental preparation and there are rituals for physical preparation. The mental preparation ritual includes both focus and distraction . Why do we need both kinds, especially if we're not athletes and we're not about to run a marathon? Think about the mental preparation you like to do before your activity, competition or performance.