YOU may work hard on your speeches. You may have material that is informative and helpful. It may be logical and your delivery may be fluent. But if you are having trouble keeping your audience focused because their minds seem to be wandering, how effective is your presentation? If they seem to be having difficulty focusing on what you say fully, how can you change this? Perhaps it would help to examine what might be at the root of the problem. It could be a number of things, but most often it is due to not being able to deliver your material in an extemporaneous manner. This means that the speaker is too tied to his notes, or the style of delivery is too impersonal. This situation is often the result of how the speech is prepped. If one tried to write out their presentation in a manuscript format and then attempt to convert it into an outline they may find it is difficult to deliver the speech without referring back to their notes frequently. Why? Because you have selected and written out the precise words you want to use. Even if you decide to utilize the outline, you may find yourself trying to remember the words that were used to write the first version. Typically language and sentence structure in writing are more formal and complex than everyday speech for most people. That's why your delivery would show that. Instead of writing out the speech word for word, try this: 1. Pick a main theme, and the points you want to use to develop it. 2. Under each main point, note the principal facts you plan to use in its development. 3. Ponder your introduction, and plan your conclusion. Simply put: 1. Tell them what you're going to tell them. 2. Tell them. 3. Then tell them what you told them. Needless to say, advance prep is important. Don't attempt to memorize your material word for word. In extemporaneous speaking the focus should be on not so much the words, but the ideas that you want to express. Those ideas should be reviewed until they flow easily for you. With logical development, and good planning, this should not be hard, and free flow of ideas should be part of your delivery. A huge advantage you will gain by utilizing this technique is that your approach will have that down to earth, lively, personable feel that will get you the positive response you want, and hold the interest of your audience. This manner of presenting maximizes your visual contact with your audience, thus improving your communication with them. Not being tied to your notes and exact wording will give your listeners the impression that you not only know your subject well, but you are also sincere in your belief of it. It gives them that warm, heart-to-heart, conversational manner. Flexibility is another benefit of this speaking method. Since you aren't rigidly set in what you have to say you can make on-the-fly adjustments. For instance, if there is a relevant news item that relates to your subject matter, you can incorporate that. Also you can adjust your material to specific demographics as they relate to your audience. Older, ybounger, male, female, etc. A benefit not previously considered is the one that comes to you as a speaker. With this type of approach your own mind is stimulated and you warm up to the audience. As a result you will expand on ideas or use repetition for emphasis. When you notice the interest of your listeners starting to weaken, you can do something about it instead of droning on. Of course, like any other ideas, there are some potential dangers. One can be running overtime if you insert too many ideas. If you are using an outline, make notes on how much time you should spend on each idea, and stick closely to this timeline. For experienced speakers, the biggest threat is over-confidence. Having gotten used to public speaking, the tendency can be to "throw something together" to fill the time they have to present. A little humility, and realization that others lives can be affected by your words and prep (or lack thereof) should rouse personal accountability, and an internal determination to deliver info in the best way you can. Submitted By Kevin Davis - Writer, Speaker, Sales Trainer. Email: kevmard3@aol.com Phone: 616.443.7092 Webpage: http://www.speakermatch.com/profile/thefigureofspeech