Public Speaking for Technical Communicators

1. Public Speaking for Technical Communicators Matthew SternPrincipal Technical WriterBest Software, Inc.

2. What will be covered • Overcoming nervousness • Preparing your talk • Developing a good stage presence • Table topics: Your chance to practice • Resources for further development

3. Tips for overcoming nervousness • Know it’s natural – It’s a sign that you want to do well • Practice • Know that the audience is on your side • Bring moral support, like a friend or coworker • Picking out audience members and speaking to them one on one

4. Preparing your talk • Know your audience • Organize your talk • Use humor correctly • Select the correct visual aids and use them correctly

5. Know your audience • Do your homework • Watch the audience’s reaction during your presentation • Learn from Trent Lott

6. How to organize a speech • Opening: Introduce the theme of the talk and the points you are covering • Body: Present your points and provide supporting subpoints • Closing: Recap your points and end with the main thing you want the audience to remember

7. Use humor correctly • Only use humor when it fits your speech • Choose humor that is appropriate to your audience • Use humor to make your point • Draw upon personal experience • Deliver humor with confidence • Find your own humor

8. Select the correct visual aids and use them correctly • When to use them • As a roadmap for long presentations • To capture ideas the audience gives in a talk • For handouts and audience notetaking • For demonstrations • Considerations • Consider room and audience size • Design for visibility • Have backup aids ready

9. Using computer presentations • Always have backup equipment and software • Turn off screen savers and automatic timeouts • Download necessary Web pages to your local drive • Lower screen resolution (1024 x 768 or 800 x 600) • Develop scripts and practice • Check for spelling and grammatical errors

10. Using PowerPoint • Design for readability • High-contrast colors • Simple, non-distracting backgrounds • Large fonts • Ample white space • Highlight points as you present them • Avoid distracting noises and screen animations • Watch out for typos!

11. Developing a good stage presence • Eye contact • Appearance • Body language • Vocal clarity, projection, and variety • Pauses • Ahs, ums, and filler words

12. Table topics • Pick a number 1—12 to get your question • Answer the question directly • Organize your talk with an opening, body, and closing • Stay within time (at least one minute, no more than two and a half) • Have fun!

13. Recap • It’s OK to be nervous. • Know your audience • Organize your talk so that it is easy for you to deliver and the audience to follow • Use humor and visual aids only when they support your talk • Polish your delivery, but focus on giving quality content

14. Resources for further development • Toastmasters International: For a meeting near you: www.toastmasters.org • Nightingale Conant: For audio and video programs on public speaking: www.nightingaleconant.com • My Web page: For tips on public speaking, speeches, books, and links:www.matthewarnoldstern.com

15. Questions?