Here's how to prepare and deliver that next speech effectively (from Harvard Business Review's guide to persuasive presentations) in a series of 8 easy steps. Read on to find out the steps...


1. Develop the elevator speech

• In 30 seconds describe the content of your speech . Therefore, make one sentence which answers the question, "What's it about?"

2. Figure out the question to which your info is the answer

• Look at what you want to say -- and working backward, figure out the question the audience would have to have in mind in order to make that information a fascinating, provocative answer.
• Spend the first 1/3 of your speech asking that question -- establish facts and/or interesting trends which establish you as someone in the know and create a need for your listeners to hear your answer

• Develop the opening story/anecdote to establish the topic of your talk, and grab the listener's attention in few words
• Orient and tease your listeners so that they have some idea of what's coming, and want to hear more … carefully crafted personal anecdotes may work, so long as they don't contain irrelevant information

• Create an ending which is not a summary (boring), but s/thing which gives the audience something to do with the info you've imparted (a take-away)

• Opener
• Question section
• Answer section
• Ending

• Check your appearance in a mirror -- spend the time giving yourself a pep talk until you're on. Tell yourself that:
• You've prepared thoroughly,
• The material is good,
• The audience wants you to succeed
• Re-label nervousness as adrenaline necessary to help you succeed with sufficient energy 
• Don't allow the vicious cycle of thinking to trap you. Instead look at the audience face by face, and tell yourself, "that person looks friendly, I could talk to her." "That one reminds me of my uncle, and he always liked me."
• When the moment comes, take a deep breath, smile and have fun.