P.O.W.E.R

Prepare your talk. 

• Reflect, research and prepare what you are going to say
• Get your speech written and bullet pointed. 
• Practice, Practice, Practice
• Rehearse if possible 
• Dress Up appropriately

Orient yourself for Success

Once you enter the venue or event, orient yourself for success.

• Know the venue layout
• Get used to the stage if possible
• Test the sound system and room acoustics 
• Familiarise yourself with key stakeholders
• Have your notes accessible for final look.

Work the Audience

Establishing a rapport with the audience. 

• Listen to hot topics common amongst your audience. 
• Get to know a few people in the audience for familiar faces.
• Try as much as possible to understand what your audience are going through and their challenges. What are they after from your talk.
• Make eye contact with those that are speaking.
• Create a dialogue instead of a monologue. 

Energize your delivery

Be energetic and confident when speaking. 

• Body Language - Maintain a confident posture 
• Gesture appropriately – Move your hand naturally as you would in your conversation. 
• Purposeful movement.
• Voice Volume - Speak clearly with a volume that is loud enough to be heard
• Voice modulation - changing pace (speak fast and slow) and pitch (high and low tone) of words can make it sound interesting
• Pauses for impact. 

React to audience signal 

As you speak, take note of the response of people 

• If guests are nodding.  Take advantage of these people and call on them to affirm your ideas. 
• People looking away, fiddling or constantly looking at their watch means people are not with you. Draw them into the discussion. 
• Use voice modulation to draw people in or react by telling a story