Great speakers are not necessarily more confident than you; they know and master these two thing: structure and tactics.
We are experts in our field and see so many angles, perspectives, and sidelines.
We can get lost in depth and complexity when preparing presentations and speeches.
The way out of complexity is laying all the content pieces on the table and see how they are linked.
Evaluate what is essential and what should become the main idea.
Complexity is the starting point.
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. – Albert Einstein
School and university taught us to impress with a lot of knowledge, a speaker coach will teach you to keep it simple enough for the audience to understand, process, and remember without losing depth.
Here are some structures and tactics that will help you do exactly that.
STRUCTURE
1. The rule of three -> to be MEMORABLE
One main idea and three supporting ideas.
The audience remembers three points.
2. Other structures -> structure GUIDES your audience
Problem – Complication – Solution
Pain – Agitation – Solution
Idea – Disprove – Alternative
Myth – Correction of myth
Problem – Solution – Benefit
What – So what – Now what
AND TACTICS
2. Open with a question, not with a fact -> ENGAGE them
A question gets answered, silently, by every person in the room.
The silent answering is what makes them lean in.
3. The power pause -> provide CLARITY
Say the important line.
Then stop talking completely.
Silence after a strong point makes it land harder than any explanation after it.
4. Speak in pictures, rather than concepts -> make it VISUALLY CLEAR
“Increase efficiency.” says nothing.
“Cut wait time in half.” says everything.
The audience must be able to picture it!
5. Close the loop -> CONSISTENCY AND CLOSURE
You introduce an idea at the start.
You come back to it at the end, with slightly different wording.
Giving your audience consistency and closure.
Becoming a great speaker may seem like a challenging journey, but there are actual rules that your can learn and apply for success.
Structure is the invisible architecture of your speech that defines the impact.
Apply these tips to become a much more articulate speaker.
If you want a coach by your side, reach out: https://speaker.coach/boek-je-clarity-call-met-elizabeth-en/.