Your Introduction, Opening, Speech, Closing –
Is it time to Update Them?
One of the only things in life that’s certain is – Change.
And if you’re not continually updating and changing your Introduction, Opening, The Body of your Speech and Closing on a regular basis, they will get stale and lose the impact it initially had.
Some of the information you’re delivering may be really old and out of date – not a good way to build trust and credibility with audiences!
Language evolves, also. Verbiage that was ‘on the mark’ when presented years ago, may now come across like a lady wearing a poodle skirt, saddle shoes and sporting a beehive hairdo. (Some of you are going to have to google those items!)
There’s a great site, Word Spy, that posts ‘new’ words and phrases’, that’s worth checking out now and then to keep your knowledge of verbiage current.
Even Keynote Signature Speeches need a make-over on occasion. The basic points you want to make won’t change each time you do this, but the examples used to reinforce those messages should be made more timely.
As an example, if you were speaking about discount stores and gave examples using E.J. Korvette and Zayres, today’s audiences might not have a clue what you’re talking about. (E.J. Korvette filed bankruptcy in 1980 and the Zayre discount store chain closed in 1990. Of course, those examples might be relevant if you were speaking about the dimise of some of them.)
One way to keep on top of your subjects is to set up Google Alerts for key parts of your talks. Using examples from recent news stories helps connect with audiences and adds to your credibility as an expert on top of their subject.
Updating material is, like many things in life; a Process – not an Event. Approach this with the Japanese workplace philosophy of Kaizen, that focuses on making continuous small improvements which keep a business at the top of its field.
Have your radar up for ideas, events, new products, new procedures, news items, etc. that are relevant to your presentations and speech material. Following this philosophy is much better than making major redos of your material every few years. (Think about someone asking to see pictures of your family. You pull out your wallet and show a picture of your son in a baby stroller. Cute pic, but he just graduated high school!)
Adopt the Yoga mantra of being ‘being always present and in the moment’. Incorporate what you discover into your presentations, and you’ll always keep that great material of yours – Refreshed!
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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
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