PREPARING AND DELIVERING
YOUR SPEECH
You have four choices of methods for preparing and delivering your speech.  Your audience will welcome only one of these methods.

IMPROMPTU  The impromptu method really means “on the spur of the moment.”  There’s no time for preparation.  Example:  During a meeting, the CEO says, “Helen, we know you went to that conference in Dallas last week.  Please take a couple of minutes to summarize the high points of the meeting.”  While she’s in the process of standing up, she thinks of one or two helpful sessions, and then describes them briefly. 

For most speakers, the impromptu method is useful only when we have no choice, as in Helen’s case.  Otherwise, it’s dangerous.  We risk giving only surface information, rambling, and clumsily wondering what we’ll say next.  Most importantly, we don’t give audiences the well-researched presentation they deserve.

MANUSCRIPT  The speaker writes the speech, and attempts to share every word with the audience, without variation.  At times, this is acceptable, even necessary.  Assume you’re in a press conference, answering questions about a highly publicized event in your place of business: embezzlement, board shakeup, sexual harassment, massive layoffs.  In those instances, sticking to the text may prevent further problems, such as lawsuits and additional criminal charges.

For the ordinary speaking engagement, the manuscript won’t work.  The audience hears you introduced as a speaker--and suddenly you become a reader.  You won’t sound like a speaker, because written style generally is more stilted.  Also, you’ll have minimal eye contact, and few gestures.

MEMORIZED The speaker rehearses her written speech so often that she memorizes the manuscript verbatim.  Although a few rare individuals can do this successfully, most speakers can’t. . .and shouldn’t try.

The memorized speech sounds like a recitation.  Usually, the delivery becomes singsong, artificial.  And what happens to the speaker’s memory when distractions occur: a baby cries, a waiter drops a plate, somebody coughs repeatedly? 

EXTEMPORANEOUS   The extemporaneous method combines the best qualities of the previous ones, without their risks.  In this case, the speaker researches the topic thoroughly, then outlines the speech, instead of writing several pages.  He jots down key words to remind him of stories and illustrations.  He will memorize only a short poem or quotation or three or four statistics.  With very little rehearsal (in my own case, I do not rehearse orally at all), the speaker relies on the words that come to him “on his feet.”

This is the method I use and recommend, and the one audiences want. You sound like you’re having a conversation with each individual, you’re well organized, and you have mastered your introduction and conclusion.  You have a page of notes with you, preferably no more, and you refer to them only occasionally, so you maintain eye contact most of the time.

CHECK THIS MARKETING GENIUS
For the last six months, I have benefited from reading great marketing advice from an expert.  I’m glad to recommend him to people who want their business to grow.  He’s Robert Middleton, head of Action Plan Marketing, based in Palo Alto, California.

Robert has a terrific writing style.  Also, his suggestions for promoting your business are easy to understand and to implement.  You’ll be amazed at how much of his information is free, or offered at nominal cost.

You might start by downloading his Marketing Plan Workbook from his site.  Price: free.
Value: extremely valuable in helping you assess your business plans and directions.

Then I ordered his highly acclaimed InfoGuru Marketing Manual, both online and in notebook form.  In my judgment, every professional person who wants more clients and wants to serve them more effectively will order this idea-packed aid.  Be sure to study his “Five P’s of Marketing.”  Absolutely on target!

Check Robert Middleton’s site:  <www.actionplan.com>

TEAM PLAYERS REACH THE TOP
In reading Thomas J. Stanley’s excellent book The Millionaire Mind, I came across one item repeatedly. This: While millionaires are aggressive individuals who believe in themselves, they do not fly solo.  “Most millionaires,” Stanley writes, “do not have one investment adviser--they have three.”  Instead of making the big financial decisions alone, “their CPA and trusted attorney are part of the team, and these advisers help select and screen stockbrokers, financial planners, and insurance agents.  There is a built-in system of checks and balances.”

Stanley observes: “Poor service or bad recommendations are more likely to be noticed if multiple influential parties are involved.”

Really, this is true at all levels of success.  Biographies of high achievers reveal that they surrounded themselves with capable people, and then listened carefully to their advice.  Sounds like Championship Communication to me!

INVITATION TO BOOK SIGNING
I invite readers within driving distance to drop by my book signing at the Waldenbooks Store at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Georgia, on Saturday, February 23, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Much to my delight, this will be my 50^th Book Signing for The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication, Change Your Life! 

THIS NEWSLETTER: REPRINT/SHARE
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Reprinted with permission from Bill Lampton, Ph.D., President of Championship Communication. See his Web site: <www.commlampton.com>

Please encourage your colleagues to subscribe, by sending an E-mail to :
<mailto: drbill@commlampton.com> with the simple message “Subscribe.”

 
SCHEDULE BILL FOR YOUR GROUP
Contact Bill to help your organization achieve CPR-Cooperation, Productivity, Renewal of Mission! Call 678-316-4300
E-mail him: <mailto:drbill@commlampton.com> View his Web site to check his topics, client list, and endorsements: < www.commlampton.com>

Special Suggestion:  Consider sharing Bill’s name and Web site with the meeting planner for your professional organization.  Your referral will be very helpful!

Email to: Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

“Learn more. . .Earn More!”

Write him at:
Championship Communication
P.O. Box 908267
Gainesville, GA 30501-0920

Call: 678-316-4300