1 – Just, Just, Just talk about something you’ve earned the right to talk about…

either from your own experience or from your education.

2 – Audiences of love stories. Include these bullet points in every talk. The more the better.

3 – Use the formula of journalists, people love details… lots of details.

Who, what, when, where, why and how

4 – Humor is better when it is natural humor. Especially stories that make the speaker the “butt of the joke.”

5 – Never, ever write your talk. This creates the tendency to read or memorize it. Either case spells disaster.

6 – Notes can help. Better yet, use an acronym to structure your talk. For example:

If you talk about goals…

G – Take paper and pencil and write your goals

O – Organize all your goals and dreams in list form, most important first

A – Allocate 15 minutes each morning and 15 minutes each night to read your goals out loud

L – Learn to “go the extra mile.” Don’t end your day without completing everything on your “to do list.”

S – Share your GOALS ONLY with other positive people

7 – Record each presentation. Play it several times. You will become your own best coach and critic.

8 – Arrive early to all talks. Learn the names of at least 3 or 4 people. Use these names in your talk.

9 – Further your speaking training through Toastmasters – http://www.toastmasters.org, Dale Carnegie Courses, the National Speakers Association – http://www.nsaspeaker.org, and the Colorado Speakers Association , now NSA/CO.

10 – PRACTICE – PRACTICE – PRACTICE.

There are more than 480 clubs and service organizations in the Denver metro area that need speakers every week or every month. In addition, there are more than 390 Colorado associations and corporations that also need speakers/trainers for their meetings. To receive a FREE report detailing both of these lists, call Joe Sabah at 303-722-7200.

Remember that you don’t have to be good to start. You just have to start being good!