I remember, when I was chosen as an MC (master of ceremony) in the alumni function, way back in 1997. That was the time, when I was doing a Public Speaking Course from Tough Track. I was required to deliver a keynote speech of 10 minutes and had an entire month to prepare for it, but I wasted about 25 days just to decide the public speaking topic.
Ever since I became a public speaking trainer, I have seen people unable to decide their topic of speech or laptop presentation till the eleventh hour.
If you are also sailing in the same boat and mostly indecisive, here are a few suggestions which may help you in future.
1. IS IT IMPORTANT TO ME?
Now what I am going to say is contradiction in terms.
We always ask our students in our Public Speaking Course, to speak for the audience, give them a ‘ takeaway’. Your audience doesn’t come to see you, to appreciate you or to applaud for you. They want their benefits. They would listen and clap for you only if they get something out of it. It’s simply a ‘give and take’ philosophy. As the same time, when you are selecting the topic, you must ask yourself, what is IMPORTANT TO ME?
So keep both the things in mind, while deciding the topic.
2. FAMILIARIZE THE JARGONS OF YOUR TOPIC.
People believe you if you have your expertise in that subject, and knowing the jargons of it, influence your audience. Use impressive but comprehensible words in your presentation.
3. CAN I SPEAK ON THIS FLUENTLY?
There are many topics which are good to read, but are not good for oral presentation. Speaking fluently and smoothly on the subject increases your credibility and is counted most in your presentation skills. While deciding on your topic, ensure you can speak on it fluently and impressively. Don’t forget, it’s not what you speak, it’s how you speak that influences your audience in public speaking.
4. WILL THE TOPIC RETAIN LISTENER’S ATTENTION?
There are scores of things which can make your talk inspiring and interesting. And your topic is one of them. Ask yourself, will this topic make my listeners interested in my product? Self test gives you better results.
5. CAN THE TOPIC BE DELIVERED IN THE ALLOTTED TIME?
Inquire the time allotted to you from the organizers of the public speaking event. There are talks which cannot be delivered in 4-5 minutes. Also remember, that you have to leave the stage (exit the stage) before your audience starts getting impatient. Always speak less than the allotted time. Do you remember the KISS formula? It is “Keep it short and simple”.
Lord Reading advised “Always be shorter than anybody dared to hope”.
6. PHONE A FRIEND.
Talking to your friend, spouse or a family member may give you good ideas. Sometimes, we are so much occupied in our box of thinking, that we often ignore simple topics which are extremely easy to speak on.
So near yet so far……..
At ‘Anurag Aggarwal Institute of Public Speaking’ you are provided training in Public Speaking, Personality Development , Presentation Skills and Communication Skills. In this course you will be trained in all the above mentioned things and others that are needed to have outstanding communication skills. For more details on the course, visit www.anuragaggarwal.com
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