[speechworks template] prepared by: BrownBoots Interactive, Inc.

www.brownboots.com

[the hook]

• • • • Opening attention-grabber Doesn’t have to be fancy Avoid: – Jokes – “Hey, it’s great to be here!” (yawn!) – Apologizing: “I’m not accustomed to speaking.” or “I’m sorry if I’m a little disorganized.” Examples: – Fun fact – Relevant story – Quick analogy – – Quick introduction Expert testimony

[message objective]

• Form the MO by bringing together two things: – What you want – What’s in it for the listener – Answer “What’s in it for me?” (WII-FM) • Formula: – “By ________, you will ________.” • Examples: – “If you finance this project, I will increase your revenue by $1,000,000 per month.” – “If you follow the instructions in this slide deck, you will become the best presenter in your company.”

[preview / outline / agenda]

• • • [item 1] [item 2] [item 3] Cover no more than three main topics; or you’ll lose your audience.

– You can have lots of sub points for each main point, but don’t ever organize your presentation around more than three big ideas that support your MO

[topic 1]

• • • Support your main points with evidence Let your evidence do the convincing Evidence S.P.E.A.K.S. volumes – Stories – Personal experience – Expert testimony – Analogies – “K”wotes (aka Quotes) – Statistics

[topic 2]

• • • Support your main points with evidence Let your evidence do the convincing Evidence S.P.E.A.K.S. volumes – Stories – Personal experience – Expert testimony – Analogies – “K”wotes (aka Quotes) – Statistics

[topic 3]

• • • Support your main points with evidence Let your evidence do the convincing Evidence S.P.E.A.K.S. volumes – Stories – Personal experience – Expert testimony – Analogies – “K”wotes (aka Quotes) – Statistics

[recap]

• • • [topic 1] [topic 2] [topic 3] • [a short summary that ties your supporting evidence to the purpose of this presentation]

[wrap]

• • • • The call to action (tell ‘em what you want them to do) It’s all about connection and persuasion “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” Don’t be shy – your audience already knows why you’re there

Additional Resources

• Professional Presentation Techniques: http://www.brownboots.com/presentations.html

• Speechworks website: http://www.speechworks.net/ • Asher, Joey. Even A Geek Can Speak, Low-Tech Presentation Skills For High-Tech People. Persuasive Speaker Pr, 2009.