The Speaker’s Dictionary A – H

This is the first in a series of quick, no-nonsense tips and how-tos for being a better speaker, leader, and teacher. The alphabet of professional speaking.

Audience – It’s fitting that this comes first, as this is the most important thing to remember in any speech or workshop or lecture you give. What matters isn’t you, what matters is your ability to connect with people. To get them to understand what you’re trying to convey. Make sure that you always keep your audience at the forefront of every decision.

Blocking – This is a theater term that is also useful for presentations. It’s your movement on stage, how you use the space. This is also the position of equipment on stage, like microphones or podiums. Make sure you know the blocking ahead of time, or a least a good idea of what your space is like and how you intend to use it.

Concise – Make sure to keep you lecture, presentation, or speech short, sweet, and to the point. Keep in mind that the simple ways of speaking often allow for more emotion and power in what you say.

Data – Information you use to build your speech and present to back up your words. Make sure you know how to use this properly. The best way to handle data is to use as little of it as possible. Stories are better than facts. Eye contact is better than slides. Sometimes you need data, but try to keep it to one slide per three minutes of speaking.

Eloquence – It’s not always about using the most obscure words, or having the largest vocabulary. Sometimes, paring down a thought to it’s bare bones poetically is the most eloquent a speaker can be.

Focus – Always make sure you know what your core message is, and always make sure that you know why your audience will care about your core message. If you keep your focus on those two questions, and you keep your on-stage focus on the audience and connecting with them, making eye-contact with them, you’ll never veer off course.

Gestures – Make sure that you use them powerfully, but in moderation. Don’t be a “hand-talker” because that is distracting, and don’t keep your hands stiff at your sides, or you’ll seem cold and closed off. Keep a balance and be mindful of it.

Heckler – Sometimes, depending on your crowd, you will get someone who is angry or tired or who thinks they are funnier or smarter than you. These people may sometimes yell out in the middle of your speech. Like schoolyard bullies, it’s usually best to ignore them. Responding could set you off course and make you lose the thread of your speech, and joking and being mean back will undoubtedly backfire. Just don’t let them change your demeanor.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts with the rest of the alphabet!