You’ve probably heard of The Rule of 3!
When it comes to public speaking success, the three words that make all the difference are:
PREPARE — PRACTICE — PRESENT
I used to call these The 3 P’s of Perfect Presentations.
And while no presentation can ever be perfect, these steps will get you as close as possible!
Prepare: Organize Your Content
Good speeches don’t just happen.
They’re created when someone cares enough to put good content, relevant to their audience’s needs, into a smooth and logical flow.
It takes skill and hard work to create a powerful speech, but you can learn how.
(Hint: If you’re preparing a stand-up presentation, everything you need to know is in my public speaking workbook, Speak Like Yourself… No, Really!)
Practice: Work on Feeling Like Your Best Self
A well-crafted speech deserves great delivery, and there’s only one way to get that: With lots and lots (and lots!) of practice.
If you’ve trained as a performer, you may know the best ways to practice. If not, again, you can learn.
But either way, remember that you’re not practicing how to read words. You’re practicing how you want to feel when you share your ideas with an audience.
(Hint: Here’s where to find an entire category of blog posts on practicing.)
Present: Now It’s Time to Focus on Your Audience
Once you’ve prepared a well-thought-out speech, and practiced until it’s comfortable, present it to your audience as the gift that it is.
Most of us feel awkward (or even fearful) when we speak in public; and while that’s a natural reaction, it’s much more fun to get out of your own head and just talk to your audience.
At every step of the way, you can learn to approach public speaking more effectively.
(Hint: Yes, I can help!)
“Prepare, Practice, Present” is a Gift that Keeps on Giving
Whether you’re delivering from a podium or “just” talking in a meeting, don’t leave things to chance when you have to speak in public!
Instead, rely on “Prepare, Practice, Present” to get you through.
It’s a proven process that works, and a gift that will keep on giving — to you, and to your audience!
