How to Be a Great Speaker and Influence People

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Learn how to:

Present with Power and

Persuade with Ease

so that

you can be the

Best Speaker in

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Get the Instant Relationship in Any

Relationship

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Make Life Easy

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Akash Karia

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Page 3Page 3

table of contents for busy

folks

I understand that you might be very busy, and

you’re looking for some quick, easy and

practical tips you can use. To help you out,

below are the

below are the must-readmust-read chapters. They chapters. They

contain the

contain the best information best information in short, easy in short, easy

to digest chunks.

must read chapters

(chapter title

(chapter title)) (page)(page)

Success

Success formula formula (page (page 9)9)

Parts

Parts formula formula (page (page 12)12)

3

3 Ways Ways to to Brilliant Brilliant Presentations Presentations (page (page 59)59)

4

4 Ideas Ideas to to Involve Involve Your Your Audience Audience (page (page 62)62)

You-focused

You-focused speaking speaking (page (page 64)64)

Sell

Sell the the Benefits Benefits (page (page 66)66)

D

Don’t Squeeze Your Audience Out (page 78)on’t Squeeze Your Audience Out (page 78)

Using

Using Your Your Voice Voice (page (page 88)88)

When

When to to Pause Pause (page (page 90)90)

30

30 Tips Tips (page (page 93)93)

free

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Page 4Page 4 How to be a

How to be a Great SpeakerGreat Speaker && InfluenceInfluence People

People

By Akash Paresh Karia By Akash Paresh Karia 2011 by

2011 by www.CommunicationSkillsTips.comwww.CommunicationSkillsTips.com

Dedication

Thank you

Thank you DadDad,, Mum (Paresh & Nisha Karia)Mum (Paresh & Nisha Karia) and my and my little sister

little sister Bintee Karia,Bintee Karia, for your unconditional support.for your unconditional support. Thank you

Thank you Chloe ShaChloe Sha for your love. Thank youfor your love. Thank you Afshaan Afshaan Admani

Admani for your friendship. Thank youfor your friendship. Thank you Alfaz Kanji Alfaz Kanji,, Ali Ali Rashid

Rashid andand SalimSalim PanjwaniPanjwani for your brotherly support.for your brotherly support.

Please Share This Book

You have permission to

You have permission to post thispost this,, email thisemail this, print this, print this and

and pass it along for free to anyone you pass it along for free to anyone you likelike. In fact,. In fact, I’d love it if you’d make lots

I’d love it if you’d make lots and lots of copies. The right toand lots of copies. The right to bind this and sell it as

bind this and sell it as a book, however, is strictly reserved.a book, however, is strictly reserved.

You can find this entire book, along with f

You can find this entire book, along with free articles, slides,ree articles, slides, notes and other good stuff, at

notes and other good stuff, at

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uncopyright

All content of this book are in the public

All content of this book are in the public domain. Idomain. I hereby waive all claim of copyright in this wor

hereby waive all claim of copyright in this work; itk; it may be used or altered in any m

may be used or altered in any manner withoutanner without attribution or notice to the me.

attribution or notice to the me. Attribution, of course, is Attribution, of course, is appreciated.

appreciated.

To clarify, I’m granting full permission to use any content To clarify, I’m granting full permission to use any content onon this site, including the chapters of my book, in

this site, including the chapters of my book, in any way youany way you like. I release my copyright on this content.

like. I release my copyright on this content. While you are under no obligation to do so,

While you are under no obligation to do so, I wouldI would appreciate it if you give me credit

appreciate it if you give me credit for any work of for any work of mine that you use, and ideally,

mine that you use, and ideally, link back to thelink back to the original.

original.

So go ahead and share this on your

So go ahead and share this on your blog. Edit it andblog. Edit it and give it away to your subscribers. Add

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P.S. Contact me on

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1:

About the Author

I am Asia’s public speaking and persuasion sk

I am Asia’s public speaking and persuasion skills coach. Inills coach. In my workshops and seminars, you learn my workshops and seminars, you learn how to

how to present with power andpresent with power and persuade with ease

persuade with ease. If you’re. If you’re

looking for a dynamic speaker for your looking for a dynamic speaker for your event or a communication skills coach event or a communication skills coach to who guarantees results, then please to who guarantees results, then please drop me an email with your event

drop me an email with your event details:

details: [email protected]@gmail.com.. I live in Hong Kong, where I spend most

I live in Hong Kong, where I spend most of my daysof my days reading, blogging and speaking about persuasion and public reading, blogging and speaking about persuasion and public speaking.

speaking.

Public Speaking Coach, Persuasion Skills & Body Public Speaking Coach, Persuasion Skills & Body Language Expert

Language Expert “I

“I learned more from you in one lessonlearned more from you in one lesson than I did than I did from all my

from all my other public speaking classesother public speaking classes

combined

combined !” !” - William, Hong Kong Immigration- William, Hong Kong Immigration Department

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Page 8Page 8 “Your coaching sessions have

“Your coaching sessions have helped increase myhelped increase my

confidence

confidence levels dramatically. I have gained levels dramatically. I have gained greater greater

visibility within my company

visibility within my company and I feel better about and I feel better about myself.” –

myself.” – Gary, Investment BankerGary, Investment Banker

Champion Public Speaker Champion Public Speaker

Over 40+ public speaking awards, including “Humorous Over 40+ public speaking awards, including “Humorous Speech”, “Prepared Speech” and “Impromptu Speech” Speech”, “Prepared Speech” and “Impromptu Speech” Workshop Leader & Keynote Speaker

Workshop Leader & Keynote Speaker “

“ Engaging, entertaining and educational Engaging, entertaining and educational . I greatly. I greatly benefited from your workshop and look forward to

benefited from your workshop and look forward to attending more of your sessions!”

attending more of your sessions!” -- Ringo, WorkshopRingo, Workshop Participant (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Participant (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) Emcee

Emcee

“In front of over 300 people in the audience, Akash “In front of over 300 people in the audience, Akash commanded everyone’s attention. He

commanded everyone’s attention. He brought the event brought the event

alive with his witty and funny remarks

alive with his witty and funny remarks. The. The audience could not help but gel with

audience could not help but gel with this charismaticthis charismatic

gentleman

gentleman. I would have no hesitation in recommending. I would have no hesitation in recommending him as an MC for any event” –

him as an MC for any event” – Jessie Lam, Instructor,Jessie Lam, Instructor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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Page 9Page 9

1:

SUCCESS Formula

W

ant an easy formula for creating memorableant an easy formula for creating memorable presentations?

presentations?

If you follow these guidelines, then your audience will have If you follow these guidelines, then your audience will have no choice but to be wrapped up in your

no choice but to be wrapped up in your speech/presentation:speech/presentation: Simple

Simple - Boil your presentation/speech down to one simple,- Boil your presentation/speech down to one simple, core message. What one thing do you want you

core message. What one thing do you want you want yourwant your audience to remember by the end of the spee

audience to remember by the end of the speech? You shouldch? You should be able to summarize this point in one sentence -

be able to summarize this point in one sentence - and inand in words that even a child could understand.

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Page 10Page 10 Unexpected

Unexpected -- The best way to grab The best way to grab your audience’syour audience’s

attention is to do or say something unexpected. However, attention is to do or say something unexpected. However, don't make this gimmicky (i.e. just for the sake of being don't make this gimmicky (i.e. just for the sake of being unexpected). Make sure your 'twist' is part

unexpected). Make sure your 'twist' is part of your message.of your message. One way of doing this is to provide shocking facts/statistics. One way of doing this is to provide shocking facts/statistics. For example, "one bag of popcorn is as unhealthy as

For example, "one bag of popcorn is as unhealthy as a wholea whole day's worth of fatty foods!"

day's worth of fatty foods!" would shock your listeners into would shock your listeners into paying more attention to your 'Healthy Eating choices'

paying more attention to your 'Healthy Eating choices' presentation.

presentation. Concrete

Concrete - avoid vague language. Pr- avoid vague language. Provide specific, clearovide specific, clear details. Instead of saying "a few months ago", say "On details. Instead of saying "a few months ago", say "On 1919 March 2011". Instead of saying "eat healthy", say "make a March 2011". Instead of saying "eat healthy", say "make a commitment to never eat at McDonalds".

commitment to never eat at McDonalds". Credible

Credible - Talk about things where you hav- Talk about things where you have an expertise.e an expertise. In other words, if you're speaking about "How t

In other words, if you're speaking about "How to be ao be a Millionaire in 10 days", make sure you're not broke. Millionaire in 10 days", make sure you're not broke. Emotional

Emotional - Engage people's emotions by telling them a- Engage people's emotions by telling them a story.

story. Story

Story - Use stories. Stories are a very powerful way of - Use stories. Stories are a very powerful way of

engaging people's emotions. Read more about the power of engaging people's emotions. Read more about the power of stories

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Page 11Page 11 There you have it, the SUCCESs checklist for sticky

There you have it, the SUCCESs checklist for sticky presentations.

presentations.

Tell a Simple, Unexpected, Credible, Concrete and Tell a Simple, Unexpected, Credible, Concrete and Emotional Story.

Emotional Story.

P.S. This formula was taken from

P.S. This formula was taken from Chip and Dan Heath'sChip and Dan Heath's fantastic book,

fantastic book, "Made to Stick"."Made to Stick".

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Page 12Page 12

2:

PARTS Formula

H

ere’s a powerful public speaking ‘formula’ that ere’s a powerful public speaking ‘formula’ that I picked upI picked up from

from Craig Valentine’sCraig Valentine’s book, World Class Speaking. If you book, World Class Speaking. If you need to deliver an important presentation, and one which need to deliver an important presentation, and one which ‘sticks’ in your listeners minds long after

‘sticks’ in your listeners minds long after you’ve finishedyou’ve finished speaking, then use the

speaking, then use the PARTSPARTS formula:formula: P

Point,oint, A A nchor,nchor, R R eflection,eflection,TTechnique,echnique, SSale. Let’s have a look ale. Let’s have a look at each of the elements in turn…

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Page 13Page 13 Point:

Point:

Give the main point/message of

Give the main point/message of the speech/presentation.the speech/presentation. Boil your entire speech down to just one main point by Boil your entire speech down to just one main point by asking yourself the following question,

asking yourself the following question,

“If my audience was to remember only one thing “If my audience was to remember only one thing I’dI’d said today, then what would I want them to

said today, then what would I want them to remember?”

remember?”

Find your most important point and state

Find your most important point and state it explicitly.it explicitly. Anchor:

Anchor:

After giving your main point, you need to “tie

After giving your main point, you need to “tie it down” withit down” with an anchor?

an anchor?

“What’s an anchor?” I can hear you asking. “What’s an anchor?” I can hear you asking. An anchor is basically a tool

An anchor is basically a tool which will hook the Pointwhich will hook the Point into the listener’s memor

into the listener’s memor y. There are four anchors that you y. There are four anchors that you can use. You don’t need to use all

can use. You don’t need to use all of these, but make sureof these, but make sure that you use at least one:

that you use at least one:



 A Anecdotenecdote –– Tell a story that illustrates Tell a story that illustrates your mainyour main

point. A well-told story acts like a memorable point. A well-told story acts like a memorable testimonial. Checkout more about the

testimonial. Checkout more about the power of storiespower of stories in this post (click here)

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Page 14Page 14



 A Activity ctivity –– If you can create some sort of If you can create some sort of quick quick

game/role-playing activity that will solidify your game/role-playing activity that will solidify your point, then be sure to include it. Just

point, then be sure to include it. Just make sure thatmake sure that the purpose of the activity is clear to everyone.

the purpose of the activity is clear to everyone.



 A Acronymcronym –– Acronyms are a useful memory tool. ForAcronyms are a useful memory tool. For

example, the acronym PARTS will you

example, the acronym PARTS will you help youhelp you remember the public speaking formula you’re remember the public speaking formula you’re learning here (

learning here (PPoint,oint, Anchor,

Anchor, R R eflection,eflection, TTechnique,echnique, SSale)ale)



 A Analogy nalogy –– Here’s an example of an analogy from theHere’s an example of an analogy from the

book

book The Mars and Venus Diet and ExerciseThe Mars and Venus Diet and Exercise Solution

Solution by John Gray: by John Gray: “

“Think of your body as an old-fashioned steamThink of your body as an old-fashioned steam engine. You need to feed the fire with coal. When engine. You need to feed the fire with coal. When there is no coal available, the stoker slows down so there is no coal available, the stoker slows down so that all the available fuel is not consumed. Likewise, that all the available fuel is not consumed. Likewise, your metabolism slows down for the rest of the day your metabolism slows down for the rest of the day when you don’t eat breakfast.”

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Page 15Page 15 Reflection

Reflection

After anchoring your point, you want to

After anchoring your point, you want to get the audience toget the audience to reflect on the point you just made by asking t

reflect on the point you just made by asking them a question.hem a question. Here’s an example from Craig Valentine.

Here’s an example from Craig Valentine.

In one of his speeches, he talks about the power In one of his speeches, he talks about the power of of

visualization. Specifically, he talks about how he mentally visualization. Specifically, he talks about how he mentally

stepped on the stage at least a

stepped on the stage at least a 1000 times before he ever1000 times before he ever became a champion. To get the audience to reflect on became a champion. To get the audience to reflect on hishis

point, he asked the question, point, he asked the question,

“What stage are you stepping on mentally at least “What stage are you stepping on mentally at least 1000 times?

1000 times?”” After asking the question, allow for After asking the question, allow for enoughenough silence for them to be able to answ

silence for them to be able to answer the question in theirer the question in their own minds

own minds Technique Technique

If you can, then give the audience a technique t

If you can, then give the audience a technique that they canhat they can use to apply your main point. For example, if you’

use to apply your main point. For example, if you’re giving are giving a speech about the importance of time-management, then you speech about the importance of time-management, then you would want to make sure that yo

would want to make sure that you’re audience can apply youru’re audience can apply your point by giving them this technique:

point by giving them this technique:

“Before you go to bed each night, take a pen and a “Before you go to bed each night, take a pen and a piece of paper and write down all the things you piece of paper and write down all the things you

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Page 16Page 16 need to accomplish the next day. List all the tasks

need to accomplish the next day. List all the tasks according to importance, and when you wake up in according to importance, and when you wake up in the morning, start with the most important one

the morning, start with the most important one first”

first” Sale Sale

Finally, you’ve made your Point, you’ve Anchored it down, Finally, you’ve made your Point, you’ve Anchored it down, you’ve got them to Reflect, you’ve given them a Technique, you’ve got them to Reflect, you’ve given them a Technique,

and now you need to

and now you need to sell the benefitssell the benefits.. Remind the audience in just a

Remind the audience in just a few sentences thefew sentences the

benefits they will receive from applying the technique you’ve benefits they will receive from applying the technique you’ve just given them. Carrying on from the time-management

just given them. Carrying on from the time-management principle above, you can say something along the lines of: principle above, you can say something along the lines of:

“If you manage your time well by applying these “If you manage your time well by applying these techniques, then you will

techniques, then you will be morebe more

productive, experience less stress, and lead a productive, experience less stress, and lead a

happier life overall” happier life overall” ..

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Page 17Page 17

3:

What’s Your Core

Message?

In a Nutshell: In a Nutshell:



 Finding your core message is about forced prioritization.Finding your core message is about forced prioritization.

What’s the most important thing that you want to convey to What’s the most important thing that you want to convey to

the audience? the audience?



 Write out your core message on a piece of pape Write out your core message on a piece of paper in less thanr in less than

20 words 20 words



 Your core message will help you decide what to include and Your core message will help you decide what to include and

what to discard. If a st

what to discard. If a story/statistic emphasizes the coreory/statistic emphasizes the core message, include it; otherwise, save it for another speech message, include it; otherwise, save it for another speech



 Ruthlessly cut out anything that is not directly related to theRuthlessly cut out anything that is not directly related to the

core message. You will have a highly focused speech which core message. You will have a highly focused speech which the audience will remember and thank you for.

the audience will remember and thank you for. *

*

W

hen you first start preparing your presentathen you first start preparing your presentation or speech,ion or speech, the most important thing you must do is to figure out the core the most important thing you must do is to figure out the core

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Page 18Page 18 message of your speech. What is the one thing

message of your speech. What is the one thing that you arethat you are trying to achieve with the speech? Which one concept/idea do trying to achieve with the speech? Which one concept/idea do you want your listeners to understand and

you want your listeners to understand and remember? Or,remember? Or,

alternatively, what one single action do you want your listeners alternatively, what one single action do you want your listeners to take after they’ve heard your

to take after they’ve heard your speech?speech?

To help you clarify the core message of your speech, To help you clarify the core message of your speech, answer this question:

answer this question:

If your audience was to forget everything else that you If your audience was to forget everything else that you said, what is the one single thing that you would want said, what is the one single thing that you would want them to remember?

them to remember?

You should be able to write out this core message on a You should be able to write out this core message on a piece of paper in less than 20 words:

piece of paper in less than 20 words:

The single most important thing that my audience The single most important thing that my audience

should understand/remember is _______________ should understand/remember is _______________

Imagine that you are invited to a radio-show, and the Imagine that you are invited to a radio-show, and the host asks you to let his viewers kn

host asks you to let his viewers know the main essence of yourow the main essence of your speech. You should be so familiar with the core message that speech. You should be so familiar with the core message that you should have no problem explaining it in less than 3

you should have no problem explaining it in less than 300 seconds.

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Page 19Page 19 Finding the core of a message is about

Finding the core of a message is about prioritizationprioritization rather than ‘dumbing

rather than ‘dumbing--down’. You should strip away all thedown’. You should strip away all the unnecessary ideas. You should even get rid of all

unnecessary ideas. You should even get rid of all the importantthe important ideas that aren’t

ideas that aren’t crucial crucial –– aren’t thearen’t the most important thingmost important thing thatthat the audience should know.

the audience should know.

Identifying and writing down your core message has Identifying and writing down your core message has two key benefits:

two key benefits:



 It helps you decide what to keep and what to throw It helps you decide what to keep and what to throw

out

out. If you have an interesting story, statistic . If you have an interesting story, statistic or chart, youor chart, you should include it only and only if it helps explain your core should include it only and only if it helps explain your core message. If it doesn’t, save it for

message. If it doesn’t, save it for another speech.another speech.



 It helps the audience remember and understand yourIt helps the audience remember and understand your

presentation.

presentation. Once you’ve stripped away all the unnecessary Once you’ve stripped away all the unnecessary details, the audience gets the benefit of hearing a focused and details, the audience gets the benefit of hearing a focused and clear talk. When they leave, they’ll remember you and your clear talk. When they leave, they’ll remember you and your core message. You’ll have made an impact.

core message. You’ll have made an impact. As an example of “finding the core”, le

As an example of “finding the core”, let us examine ant us examine an important idea from real estate.

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Page 20Page 20 Example: Location, Location, Location

Example: Location, Location, Location Imagine that you have to

Imagine that you have to give a 15 minute presentationgive a 15 minute presentation on real estate. Your goal by the end of

on real estate. Your goal by the end of the presentation is tothe presentation is to leave your audience in a better position to cho

leave your audience in a better position to choose a home thanose a home than when they first came in.

when they first came in.

Now, real estate is a huge t

Now, real estate is a huge topic. It takes 4 years of opic. It takes 4 years of business school to get a degree in real estate.

business school to get a degree in real estate. The challengeThe challenge before you is enormous. There is simply no way that you can before you is enormous. There is simply no way that you can

present four years worth of real est

present four years worth of real estate knowledge in fifteenate knowledge in fifteen minutes. Trying to cram in ten points in

minutes. Trying to cram in ten points in fifteen minutes wouldfifteen minutes would most likely confuse your listeners, and most of t

most likely confuse your listeners, and most of them wouldhem would

leave without having understood anything. The problem is that leave without having understood anything. The problem is that you don’t have a core message.

you don’t have a core message.

However, if you spend some time during th However, if you spend some time during thee

preparation stage, you might come up with the following

preparation stage, you might come up with the following corecore message: “Location, Location, Location”. You’ve heard of that message: “Location, Location, Location”. You’ve heard of that core message before because it’s so easy to remember an

core message before because it’s so easy to remember and it’sd it’s the most fundamental thing people should keep in m

the most fundamental thing people should keep in mind whenind when buying real estate. The core message is one which helps guide buying real estate. The core message is one which helps guide

peoples behaviors and helps them make decisions. peoples behaviors and helps them make decisions.

For example, let us imagine that your fr

For example, let us imagine that your friend Shelly isiend Shelly is considering buying a home. She tells you, “I’ve found a

considering buying a home. She tells you, “I’ve found a greatgreat house. It’s a

house. It’s a great price and it’s got lots great price and it’s got lots of great amenities.of great amenities. What do you think?”

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Page 21Page 21 Here, with the core message guiding you, what

Here, with the core message guiding you, what will youwill you say? You’ll tell her not to buy the house because the most

say? You’ll tell her not to buy the house because the most important thing is “location, location, location”.

important thing is “location, location, location”.

Finding the core of your presentation is about forced Finding the core of your presentation is about forced prioritization rather than “dumbing things down”. When prioritization rather than “dumbing things down”. When

creating your presentation, you have to force yourself to get r creating your presentation, you have to force yourself to get ridid of interesting facts and stories which aren’t

of interesting facts and stories which aren’t directly addingdirectly adding value to your core message. Every point you make

value to your core message. Every point you make –– every every story you tell, every statistic you use, every chart

story you tell, every statistic you use, every chart you includeyou include –– should be used to illustrate the core message.

should be used to illustrate the core message.

Example

Example: It’s the Economy, Stupid!: It’s the Economy, Stupid!

A political campaign is a war zone for

A political campaign is a war zone for hundreds of hundreds of

political issues: budget and spending, civil rights, drug policy, political issues: budget and spending, civil rights, drug policy, energy policy, foreign policy, health care, imm

energy policy, foreign policy, health care, immigration, jobsigration, jobs and unemployment, national security, social security, tax and unemployment, national security, social security, tax policy. The list goes on and on.

policy. The list goes on and on.

With so many key issues at sta

With so many key issues at stake, is it possible ake, is it possible a political campaign to find

political campaign to find one single core message? one single core message? In the 1992 U.S. election, Bill Clinton’s political In the 1992 U.S. election, Bill Clinton’s political campaign did just that when they came u

campaign did just that when they came up with the followingp with the following slogan, “

slogan, “ It’s the Economy, stupid!” It’s the Economy, stupid!” Clinton’s core message wasClinton’s core message was that he was the guy who was going to get the economy back that he was the guy who was going to get the economy back into shape. The Clinton campaign realized that while all the into shape. The Clinton campaign realized that while all the

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Page 22Page 22 other issues were important ones, the most i

other issues were important ones, the most important one wasmportant one was to kick-start the economy. They began focusing all their efforts to kick-start the economy. They began focusing all their efforts on promoting the core message

on promoting the core message –– “It’s the economy, stupid!” –“It’s the economy, stupid!” – because that was the most important issue on American voters because that was the most important issue on American voters

minds. minds.

If Bill Clinton’s campaign can be narrowed down If Bill Clinton’s campaign can be narrowed down toto

focus on one key message, then your presentation certainly can focus on one key message, then your presentation certainly can too. Ruthlessly cut out anything that does not support

too. Ruthlessly cut out anything that does not support youryour core message.

core message.

BOTTOM LINE: BOTTOM LINE:

If your audience was to forget everything else that

If your audience was to forget everything else that you said,you said, what is the one single thing that

what is the one single thing that you would want them toyou would want them to remember? remember?

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Page 23Page 23

4:

Hook Them In with an

Interesting Title

In a Nutshell: In a Nutshell:

If you don’t want your a

If you don’t want your audience to tune out even beforeudience to tune out even before you’ve started speaking, then make sure that

you’ve started speaking, then make sure that are able toare able to follow the majority of these principles:

follow the majority of these principles:



 Stress the WIIFY in your titleStress the WIIFY in your title



 Make Your Title MemorableMake Your Title Memorable



 Always Consider Your Audience: Who are you going to Always Consider Your Audience: Who are you going to bebe

talking to? talking to?



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Page 24Page 24



 Relate Your Title to the Main Theme of Your SpeechRelate Your Title to the Main Theme of Your Speech



 Don’t Promise Anything in Your Title tDon’t Promise Anything in Your Title that You Can’t Deliverhat You Can’t Deliver

in Your Speech in Your Speech

Y

our presentation title is your opportunity to create aour presentation title is your opportunity to create a sizzle even before you speak. The right speech title can have sizzle even before you speak. The right speech title can have your audience excitedly buzzing about your talk, whereas the your audience excitedly buzzing about your talk, whereas the wrong one can brand you as a

wrong one can brand you as a boring and unimaginativeboring and unimaginative speaker.

speaker.

In this chapter, you will pick up t

In this chapter, you will pick up the main elementshe main elements that go into creating a sizzling speech title. Since your

that go into creating a sizzling speech title. Since your presentation title can literally make or break your

presentation title can literally make or break your

presentation, you should spend some time crafting an presentation, you should spend some time crafting an

interesting title to hook in your audiences’ enthusiasm and interesting title to hook in your audiences’ enthusiasm and attention.

attention.

Speaking Sin: Turning Your Audience Off with Speaking Sin: Turning Your Audience Off with Boring Titles

Boring Titles

Bland titles turn off audiences. Imagine that your Bland titles turn off audiences. Imagine that your

geeky friend forces you to accompany him to a lecture being geeky friend forces you to accompany him to a lecture being held at major University. Right before you are about

held at major University. Right before you are about to enterto enter the lecture theatre, you turn to

the lecture theatre, you turn to your friend and ask:your friend and ask: “By the way, what’s t

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Page 25Page 25 “It’s called ‘

“It’s called ‘ A Critical Analysis of the Differences A Critical Analysis of the Differences between Communication Styles between Genders”

between Communication Styles between Genders” Now, even if you’re a communication

Now, even if you’re a communication-skills enthusiast-skills enthusiast like me, you may find it hard to

like me, you may find it hard to muster the fascinationmuster the fascination

required to enter the lecture theatre, choosing instead to sip required to enter the lecture theatre, choosing instead to sip a cup of coffee at the University Cafe and read

a cup of coffee at the University Cafe and read John Gray’sJohn Gray’s “Men Are From Mars, Women are from Venus”

“Men Are From Mars, Women are from Venus” ..

By the way, in case you didn’t

By the way, in case you didn’t get the irony, Johnget the irony, John Gray’s best

Gray’s best-selling book is an interesting read about the-selling book is an interesting read about the differences in communication styles between men and differences in communication styles between men and

women…the same topic as the lecture, but what an with an women…the same topic as the lecture, but what an with an

infinitely more appealing title. With lecture titles like the infinitely more appealing title. With lecture titles like the ones above, can you really blame students for skipping ones above, can you really blame students for skipping classes?

classes?

Speaking Solution 1: Stress the WIIFY Principle in Speaking Solution 1: Stress the WIIFY Principle in Your Title

Your Title

The best way to engage your listeners even b

The best way to engage your listeners even before youefore you speak is to use stress the “WIIFY

speak is to use stress the “WIIFY” Principle in your speech” Principle in your speech title. “WIIFY” stands for “What’s In It For Me?”

title. “WIIFY” stands for “What’s In It For Me?” Using theUsing the WIIFY Principle means explicitly telling your listeners the WIIFY Principle means explicitly telling your listeners the benefits they will receive.

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Page 26Page 26 Everyone who attends your talk

Everyone who attends your talk is looking to gainis looking to gain some value out of it. For example, people who attend some value out of it. For example, people who attend

seminars on interpersonal skills may be looking to learn how seminars on interpersonal skills may be looking to learn how to make more friends. People who attend seminars on

to make more friends. People who attend seminars on persuasion skills may be looking to learn

persuasion skills may be looking to learn techniques whichtechniques which they can use to influence their friends and colleagues. If you they can use to influence their friends and colleagues. If you were leading a seminar on interpersonal and personal skills, were leading a seminar on interpersonal and personal skills, you could highlight the “WIIFY” Principle with the title:

you could highlight the “WIIFY” Principle with the title: “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” .. By the way,

By the way, “How to Win Friends and Influence“How to Win Friends and Influence People”

People” is the title of the best-selling book by is the title of the best-selling book by Dale Carnegie.Dale Carnegie. Originally published in 1937, the title still continues to hold Originally published in 1937, the title still continues to hold appeal for readers today because it makes use

appeal for readers today because it makes use of the “WIIFY”of the “WIIFY” principle.

principle. If

If you’re giving a presentation that can solve the you’re giving a presentation that can solve the

listeners’ problems or help them achieve a significant goal, listeners’ problems or help them achieve a significant goal, then you can highlight this fact in your speech title.

then you can highlight this fact in your speech title. Best-selling book authors know that the t

Best-selling book authors know that the title of a book itle of a book can make or a break its sales. An interesting title causes

can make or a break its sales. An interesting title causes readers to pick the book off the shelf (and ma

readers to pick the book off the shelf (and maybe even buy ybe even buy it), whereas an uninteresting book title turns

it), whereas an uninteresting book title turns readers off readers off from even picking it up.

from even picking it up.

Here are some examples of successful book titl

Here are some examples of successful book titles thates that use the WIIFY principle:

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Page 27Page 27



 How to Win Friends and Influence People How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)(Dale Carnegie)



 Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control

of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny (Anthony Robbins)

(Anthony Robbins)



 Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Procrastinating and

Get More Done in Less Time

Get More Done in Less Time (Brian Tracy)(Brian Tracy)

Speaking Solution 2: Create Curiosity Speaking Solution 2: Create Curiosity

Your speech title can be used to create curiosity. Your speech title can be used to create curiosity. Imagine seeing an advert for a speech titled “

Imagine seeing an advert for a speech titled “Purple Cow”.Purple Cow”. What? Wait, hang on, PURPLE Cow? But purple cows don’t What? Wait, hang on, PURPLE Cow? But purple cows don’t

exist, do they? exist, do they?

The speech ti

The speech title ‘Purple Cow’ creates curiosity becausetle ‘Purple Cow’ creates curiosity because it makes you think, “Purple cows don’t

it makes you think, “Purple cows don’t exist,exist, and soand so what’s what’s this speaker on about?” Also, ‘

this speaker on about?” Also, ‘ Purple Cow’ Purple Cow’ is the name of theis the name of the best-selling book by Seth Godin.

best-selling book by Seth Godin.

You can create titles which arouse curiosity b

You can create titles which arouse curiosity by havingy having an unexpected speech title. (e.g.

an unexpected speech title. (e.g. Purple Cow Purple Cow). An unexpected). An unexpected speech title will surprise your listeners and cause them to

speech title will surprise your listeners and cause them to ask, “I wonder what she’s going to talk about!”

ask, “I wonder what she’s going to talk about!”

Titles which claim to solve a controversy or

Titles which claim to solve a controversy or mystery mystery (e.g.

(e.g. The Real Truth Behind Who Killed JFK)The Real Truth Behind Who Killed JFK) create acreate a

curiosity because they arouse in the listener a desire to solve curiosity because they arouse in the listener a desire to solve the unfinished mystery.

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Page 28Page 28 You can also create curiosity gaps (a gap betw

You can also create curiosity gaps (a gap betweeneen what the listener knows and doesn’t know) by using

what the listener knows and doesn’t know) by using

questions as titles. Here are a few examples of book titles questions as titles. Here are a few examples of book titles which create curiosity:

which create curiosity:



 What Colour is Your Parachute? What Colour is Your Parachute? (Richard Nelson Bolles)(Richard Nelson Bolles)



 What On Earth Am I Here For? What On Earth Am I Here For? (Rick Warren)(Rick Warren)

Speaking Solution 3: If They Remember It, They’ll Speaking Solution 3: If They Remember It, They’ll Remember You

Remember You

If your audience remembers your speech title, then If your audience remembers your speech title, then they’ll

they’ll more easily remember the points you made, andmore easily remember the points you made, and

hence will more likely remember you. That’s good because it hence will more likely remember you. That’s good because it means you’ve made an impact on their

means you’ve made an impact on their lives. You won’t belives. You won’t be just another boring speaker with a boring

just another boring speaker with a boring title whom they title whom they forget.

forget.

The final key to creating interesting titles is to ask The final key to creating interesting titles is to ask yourself, “Will my audience remember this title?”

yourself, “Will my audience remember this title?” Long titlesLong titles are likely to be forgotten, so keep your titles short.

are likely to be forgotten, so keep your titles short. Memorable titles are those titles which are Memorable titles are those titles which are unexpected (e.g.

unexpected (e.g. Purple Cow Purple Cow), which ask a question that), which ask a question that bothers the audience (

bothers the audience (What On Earth Am I Here For?),What On Earth Am I Here For?), oror which offers the audience a compelling benefit (

which offers the audience a compelling benefit ( How to Win How to Win Friends and Influence People)

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Page 29Page 29 One final way to make

One final way to make your presentation title standyour presentation title stand out above the rest is to have a title which rhymes. In his out above the rest is to have a title which rhymes. In his best-se

selling book “lling book “YES! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to BeYES! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive”

Persuasive” , Dr. Robert Cialdini writes “Rhyme makes your, Dr. Robert Cialdini writes “Rhyme makes your influence climb!” Strangely, according to research studies, influence climb!” Strangely, according to research studies, not only are rhyming statements more likely to

not only are rhyming statements more likely to bebe remembered, they’re also more likel

remembered, they’re also more likel y to be regarded as true! y to be regarded as true!ii

Here are some statements which are will

Here are some statements which are will be rememberedbe remembered because they rhyme:

because they rhyme:



 If it’s to be, it’s up to meIf it’s to be, it’s up to me



 Loose lips sink shipsLoose lips sink ships



 Caution and measure will win you tCaution and measure will win you treasurereasure

Speaking Solution 4: Consider Your Audience Speaking Solution 4: Consider Your Audience

When creating your presentation and brainstorming possible When creating your presentation and brainstorming possible

titles for it, you should always consider who will

titles for it, you should always consider who will be in thebe in the audience. Will you be talking to a group of

audience. Will you be talking to a group of Professors or aProfessors or a group of high school students?

group of high school students? To be fair, the title “

To be fair, the title “ A Critical Analysis of the A Critical Analysis of the Differences between Communication Styles between Differences between Communication Styles between

Genders”

Genders” may work if the presentation is meant may work if the presentation is meant for a groupfor a group of academics, but it will certainly turn

of academics, but it will certainly turn off the majority of theoff the majority of the ‘normal’ public. Nevertheless, you could still spice up the ‘normal’ public. Nevertheless, you could still spice up the

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Page 30Page 30 title “

title “ A Critical Analysis…” A Critical Analysis…” eveneven if it’s meant for a group of if it’s meant for a group of Professors.

Professors.

Finally, you might even be able to relate your

Finally, you might even be able to relate your title totitle to presentation to the audience members. For example, if you presentation to the audience members. For example, if you are talking to a group of stu

are talking to a group of students from Harvard University,dents from Harvard University, instead of the following title (

instead of the following title (“What S “What S hould I Do With Myhould I Do With My Life?”),

Life?”), you could relate it to your audience with this t you could relate it to your audience with this title:itle: “

“What Should I Do After Harvard? What Should I Do After Harvard? ” ” It’s a more specificIt’s a more specific question and will make your audience members f

question and will make your audience members feel aseel as though the talk has been specially customized for

though the talk has been specially customized for them…which earns

them…which earns big points for you!big points for you!

Other Points to Consider: Other Points to Consider:

There are other points that you should consider when There are other points that you should consider when creating your speech title, but I won’t

creating your speech title, but I won’t elaborate on theseelaborate on these because they are pretty obvious and self-explanatory. They because they are pretty obvious and self-explanatory. They

do, however, deserve to be noted: do, however, deserve to be noted:



 Make sure your presentation title is related to tMake sure your presentation title is related to the theme of he theme of

your speech. Your title should reflect the main point that

your speech. Your title should reflect the main point that youyou want to the audience to understand.

want to the audience to understand.



 Don’t promise anything in your title that Don’t promise anything in your title that you can’t deliver inyou can’t deliver in

your speech: I once attended a talk by

your speech: I once attended a talk by an amateur speakeran amateur speaker whose speech title was “How to Quit

whose speech title was “How to Quit Your Job and MakeYour Job and Make Money Online”. His speech title had me excited, but

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Page 31Page 31 disappointed because the speaker’s conclusion was that he

disappointed because the speaker’s conclusion was that he believed there was no formula for making money online. In believed there was no formula for making money online. In

this case, I believe that a more appropriate speech title would this case, I believe that a more appropriate speech title would have been, “

have been, “ Making Millions Online: Should You Believe the Making Millions Online: Should You Believe the Hype?”

Hype?” I tried demanding my money back, but thenI tried demanding my money back, but then remembered that the talk was free.

remembered that the talk was free.

BOTTOM LINE: BOTTOM LINE:

Does your speech title make your audience feel that Does your speech title make your audience feel that this is something that they don’t want to miss?

this is something that they don’t want to miss?

Share this Book

I have released the I have released the copyright to this book copyright to this book soso that you can go ahead that you can go ahead and share this on your and share this on your blog/website. Edit it blog/website. Edit it

and give it away to and give it away to your subscribers. Add your subscribers. Add your own thoughts and your own thoughts and

opinions. This book is opinions. This book is now yours.

now yours. I wouldI would appreciate it if you give me credit

appreciate it if you give me credit for any work of for any work of mine that you use, and ideally,

mine that you use, and ideally, link back to thelink back to the original.

original.

P.S. Contact me on

P.S. Contact me on [email protected]@gmail.com. Send me your comments, ideas or any speaking

Send me your comments, ideas or any speaking opportunities.

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Page 32Page 32

4:

Reel Them In Right

From the Beginning

In a Nutshell In a Nutshell Do NOT

Do NOT open with a standard ‘Thank open with a standard ‘Thank -- you’ you’ introduction

introduction. You can thank your hosts and. You can thank your hosts and

audiences later, after you’ve built a connection with audiences later, after you’ve built a connection with them.

them.

Avoid opening with a Joke,

Avoid opening with a Joke, especially if you aren’tespecially if you aren’t a gifted humorist an

a gifted humorist and haven’t testd haven’t tested the joke before.ed the joke before. To add humor to your speech, use a witty

To add humor to your speech, use a witty quotequote instead.

instead.

Use one of the four proven Opening Gambits to open Use one of the four proven Opening Gambits to open with a bang:

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Page 33Page 33 1.

1. Start with a Story Start with a Story

2.

2. Use Questions to Create a Knowledge GapUse Questions to Create a Knowledge Gap

3.

3. Use Quotable Quotes to gain extrUse Quotable Quotes to gain extra Credibility a Credibility

4.

4. Open with an Intriguing/ Startling StatementOpen with an Intriguing/ Startling Statement

* *

T

hink of the last great film hink of the last great film that you watched. Many that you watched. Many films begin right slap-bang in the middle of a

films begin right slap-bang in the middle of a fight scene, afight scene, a car chase, a bomb explosion, a bank

car chase, a bomb explosion, a bank robbery. The aim is torobbery. The aim is to get you involved, interested and engaged right away. The get you involved, interested and engaged right away. The blockbuster movie,

blockbuster movie, The Dark Night,The Dark Night, begins in the middle of begins in the middle of the bank heist.

the bank heist.

Other movies aren’t as dramatic, and instead open Other movies aren’t as dramatic, and instead open with an unexpected or shocking statement that

with an unexpected or shocking statement that engages youengages you straight away. Consider the opening line of

straight away. Consider the opening line of The GoodfellasThe Goodfellas:: “As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a

“As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster”.

gangster”.

Successful script writers, movie producers and Successful script writers, movie producers and

speechwriters know that the key to success is to throw the speechwriters know that the key to success is to throw the audience right into the middle of the story. Even fiction audience right into the middle of the story. Even fiction writers know that the first f

writers know that the first few lines of the book are amongew lines of the book are among the most important ones

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Page 34Page 34 or tune out depending on how well you’ve

or tune out depending on how well you’ve managed tomanaged to engage their audience right from the very beginning. engage their audience right from the very beginning.

Consider the opening line from the phenomenal bestselling Consider the opening line from the phenomenal bestselling book,

book, Twilight:Twilight: “I’d never given much thought to how I“I’d never given much thought to how I would die

would die –– though I’d never had reason enough in though I’d never had reason enough in the lastthe last few months

few months –– but even if I had, I would but even if I had, I would not have imagined itnot have imagined it like this”. The opening line shocks and

like this”. The opening line shocks and leaves you wondering,leaves you wondering, “Wow, what’s happening? Why is she dying?

“Wow, what’s happening? Why is she dying? How is sheHow is she dying?”

dying?”

The purpose of the opening few lines of any speech, The purpose of the opening few lines of any speech, movie or book is to engage the audience straight

movie or book is to engage the audience straight away…toaway…to grab their attention from the outset.

grab their attention from the outset.

How many speeches or presentations have you How many speeches or presentations have you watched where the speaker managed to grab

watched where the speaker managed to grab your interestyour interest from the first few lines that

from the first few lines that he spoke? A speaker, who, fromhe spoke? A speaker, who, from the opening made you think, “Wow, this is going to

the opening made you think, “Wow, this is going to be really be really good!” Now, consider, how well do you think you

good!” Now, consider, how well do you think you have bhave beeneen able to have this effect on other people during your

able to have this effect on other people during your

presentations? If you feel that there’s room for improvement, presentations? If you feel that there’s room for improvement, then in this chapter you will pick up

then in this chapter you will pick up valuable tools that youvaluable tools that you can use to arouse your audiences’ interest and

can use to arouse your audiences’ interest and grab theirgrab their attention from the beginning.

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Page 35Page 35 Speaking Sin: Opening with “Insincere” Gratitude

Speaking Sin: Opening with “Insincere” Gratitude A fellow public speaking coach started his seminar in thi A fellow public speaking coach started his seminar in thiss

manner. When he walked into the room, he began

manner. When he walked into the room, he began with:with:

“Hi, thank you very much for having me today. I’m “Hi, thank you very much for having me today. I’m very pleased to be here, an

very pleased to be here, and I’d like to thank Mr. Xd I’d like to thank Mr. X for having invited me to conduct this workshop.” for having invited me to conduct this workshop.”

At this point, the coach looked us in the

At this point, the coach looked us in the eye and said:eye and said: “Okay, so how many of you expected me to

“Okay, so how many of you expected me to say exactly what Isay exactly what I just said…almost word for word?”

just said…almost word for word?”

People began to laugh and everyone in t

People began to laugh and everyone in the roomhe room raised their hands. The point is simple: Almost

raised their hands. The point is simple: Almost everyoneeveryone begins their speeches and presentations with a ‘thank

begins their speeches and presentations with a ‘thank you’,you’, almost using the same exact words. If

almost using the same exact words. If you’re one of theseyou’re one of these presenters, then you’re losing out on a great opportunity t presenters, then you’re losing out on a great opportunity too diff

diff erentiate yourself from everyone else. You’re losing outerentiate yourself from everyone else. You’re losing out on an opportunity to make a great first impression! Even on an opportunity to make a great first impression! Even

worse, many of your audience members might unconsciously worse, many of your audience members might unconsciously

label you as boring and creative, like every other speaker t label you as boring and creative, like every other speaker thathat they’ve seen, and they’ll mentally tune out

they’ve seen, and they’ll mentally tune out of yourof your

presentation. Trying to bring these people back will be a presentation. Trying to bring these people back will be a

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Page 36Page 36 challenge, and you’ll be left with an uncomfortable r

challenge, and you’ll be left with an uncomfortable room fulloom full of strangers who aren’t really listening to w

of strangers who aren’t really listening to what you’re saying.hat you’re saying. As you’re about to discover, t

As you’re about to discover, there are sehere are se veral veral techniques that you can use to capture your

techniques that you can use to capture your audiences’audiences’ attention and imagination straight away. However, before attention and imagination straight away. However, before you come to those, let’s first address a

you come to those, let’s first address a common objectioncommon objection that most people raise during my public speaking

that most people raise during my public speaking workshops:

workshops:

Objection:

Objection: “Why Shouldn’t I Thank People at the“Why Shouldn’t I Thank People at the Beginning? It’s the polite thing to do!”

Beginning? It’s the polite thing to do!”

Most speakers, despite knowing the dangers of using a Most speakers, despite knowing the dangers of using a standard “thank you for having me

standard “thank you for having me here” opening, continuehere” opening, continue using it because they are under the false assu

using it because they are under the false assumption thatmption that thanking people should be done at the beginning.

thanking people should be done at the beginning. There is nothing wrong with thanking your

There is nothing wrong with thanking your hosts andhosts and your audience members for having you, but

your audience members for having you, but it shouldit should not not be be done at the beginning. In fact, not only do you

done at the beginning. In fact, not only do you lose yourlose your audience with a canned ‘thank

audience with a canned ‘thank -- you’ opening, your grat you’ opening, your gratitudeitude may also be perceived as insincere. The fact is, because m may also be perceived as insincere. The fact is, because mostost speakers say ‘thank you’ during t

speakers say ‘thank you’ during their opening few lines,heir opening few lines, your your “thank you” will sound no different…it will

“thank you” will sound no different…it will be considered asbe considered as an opening formality rather than a sincere expression of an opening formality rather than a sincere expression of gratitude.