Before You Speak

Research Your Topic

• TED
• Forbes
• Blogs
• Social Media
• Competition

Know Your Audience

• Number of people attending
• Age range
• Men vs. women
• Background - education, experience, etc.

Refine Your Topic

Prepare the Room

• In a “U” formation?
• Conference room?
• Schoolroom?
• Half-round tables?

Audio-Visual Equipment

• Laptop
• Projector
• Screen
• Microphone (handheld/lavalier)
• Lecturn
• Whiteboard

Technical Difficulties

• Equipment failures
• Room malfunctions
• Equipment is late
• Food is late
• Others......

Handouts

Introducing Yourself

• Mini Bio
• Who you are
• What you do for people
• Your credentials
• "Please join me in welcoming [insert your name here]"

Warm Up The Crowd

• Back to "Know Your Audience"
• Tell a relevant story that the audience would identify similarities

Warm Up the Crowd

• Use humor
• Tug at emotion
• Share an anecdote
• Use an icebreaker (candy)
• Use a recent news story as a segue to your topic

Mary Erlain

Untitled Slide