Does the idea of speaking in front of people make you faint? Would you rather visit the dentist every day for a month instead of giving a keynote speech?  Does the thought of speaking in front of a roomful of strangers induce a powerful need to flee the country? 

The good news is you’re not alone. The even better news is you can learn to be a better public speaker. This week, we’ll be visiting eleven tips to help you speak in public with confidence and poise. 

• Use stories. Stories that illustrate your point will be remembered long after the nametags are dumped in the garbage and hotel rooms are emptied. People remember and pay attention to good stories.
   
• Practice! This cannot be understated. You should know your presentation so thoroughly you could do the whole thing (PowerPoint included) without notes. You should not have your eyes glued to your note cards; they should be a gentle reminder once in a while. Remember, if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.
   
• They want solutions. Your audience is looking to you to provide answers to their problems, not to watch you boast about your company. Give them what they want.
   
• No Death by PowerPoint. Show pictures, charts, cartoons, or short videos. Bulleted lists are a surefire way to douse enthusiasm: yours and the audience’s. Reading verbatim from your slides is BORING.

 Come back next time for some help with speech logistics and planning.