How amazing is it when someone in a sharp outfit strides up to the front of the room, looks us right in the eye and delivers a message that we are thirsty to hear? As the speaker moves around the room, connecting with some of us individually, he or she seems confident and at ease. The message flows effortlessly from him or her to us, words becoming the medium of the connection between audience and speaker…

Well, I’m breathless.

I don’t know about you, but that’s my gold standard for verbal delivery. I feel so engaged when a speaker is this prepared. Now imagine someone coming up to the lectern, with a big handful of notes, spending the first precious seconds of his or her stage time head down, bonding with (instead of us) that outline or, worse, an entire script. Click. First impression made. The speech may be well-tempered, lovingly crafted sentences may float out to us, but picture it: there is a difference, isn’t there?

Will you, the audience, listen when someone uses notes? Or will you pay attention to the wrong things?

…Did the speaker prepare enough? …Is the speaker too nervous to do the speech without notes? …Did he lose his place just now? …Does he have to look down so much? …Is that a toupee? …How many pages until the end?

We’ve talked about streamlining your notes until they’re just a few bullet points. Once you’re down to those few words, you can create a visual mental image to organize those words into an instantly scan-able picture so you’ll never lose your place or need that one last index card. If you’ve got questions email me at:Michael@MichaelHSchaefer.com

And don’t forget how to get to Carnegie Hall. It’s not Google Maps. The more you practice, practice, practice, the more you’ll come off like a pro. Hard and simple truth to speaking and life.

So jump to it. And if you need someone to hold you accountable as you prepare for the big speeches, get in touch.

I’ll hold your notes.

Next time:

Every picture tells a story, don’t it?