Imagine yourself standing in front of a room full of people, all waiting for you to begin your presentation. Now imagine that you begin with the words “Did you hear the one about…” Believe it or not, you just started digging a very deep hole for yourself. You may be thinking, “but Rob, how do I avoid that?”

You have probably heard the old adage, tell them what your going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them. The thing that is missing there is the essential need for you to develop a connection with your audience. You do not want to jump into that first main point until you have established that connection.

Here are three ways you can establish a connection right from the start. Each of these techniques is designed to be the very first thing you say when you address the audience. Let me repeat that, the very first thing you say. Why do I repeat that? Because someone will think I meant for you to use these techniques after “Ladies and Gentlemen,” or “I’m really glad to be here,” or “thank you Mr Toastmaster,” or… you get the idea.

What I am suggesting is to use one of the options below starting with your very first word.

The first method you can use is to open with a story or a quote. This is a 1-dimensional approach, since it only includes you speaking. If you use a story, remember to keep it “you focused” as much as possible. For example, “do you remember what it was like at your high school prom? You should have been there at mine when… you would have seen me…” Use this method to include your audience in the story. Of course, the story should meet a few criteria:

- it should relate to your presentation
- it can include humor, but probably not include jokes
- you should be able to call back to it throughout the presentation. i.e. “Just like my high school prom date told me, ‘It’s just the way it is’.”

If you choose a quote, make sure you do a couple of things:

- again, it should relate to your presentation
- you should quote a source most (if not all) of the audience would be familiar with
- both the subject and the source should relate to your presentation. i.e. quote Gen Patton or Stephen Covey on leadership, Jay Leno or Dave Berry on humor, etc.

The next method you can use is to open with a question. This is a 2-dimensional approach, and had two really good purposes. The first is to get them thinking right off the bat. Once they are thinking, they are involved… and you are getting connected. Second, you can gauge their overall energy level by their response, and work your next segments accordingly.

The final method is opening with an activity. This is a 3-dimensional approach, since it involves true audience interaction. BEWARE – this is not for the novice or the unprepared crowd. It can be tough enough to make activities work in the middle of a presentation, but to open with one, you will need to be on your game. If you pull this one off, you will have a high energy room with an audience that is glued to your entire program. If you bomb it, well… ouch. I recommend feeling comfortable with leading activities in other parts of the speech before trying this.

A successful connection with your audience does not have to be a difficult pursuit. By using one of the techniques I have discussed, you can make that connection, feel comfortable and confident, and with practice, Ace your Opening!

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Rob Christeson is an IT Project Manager, freelance writer and speaker based in Wichita, Kansas. His Talk to the Human™ blog is based on the premise that while on-line social networking, e-mail and text can be very useful for building contacts and staying in touch, nothing beats real live human communication when you need to get stuff done.

Visit his website using either of the links below:
http://www.robchristeson.com
http://www.talktothehuman.com

A great public speaking statistic was once made on national TV by Jerry Seinfeld, from the TV show Seinfeld, who found a poll that said that the number one fear for Americans was public speaking. Death was at number five. With this he joked that “…at a funeral, people are five times more likely to want to be in the casket than giving the eulogy.”

Now forgiving the statistical error Jerry made, public speaking is actually ranked at the top fear of many people, Americans included. From my own personal history, as well as some of the many tips I was able to find online, here are 10 tips for eliminating public speaking fears.

1. Practice right before you go to bed.

My best tip to myself by far. Trying to memorize and practice what I have to say right before I go to bed really helps. On a scientific level, your brain works at night and whatever you process last (right before bedtime) sub-consciously becomes more familiar to you the next day! This tip has helped me tremendously, especially for presentations.

2. Be prepared.

I envy people who can go up and stir the crowd up without any practice beforehand. But until I get there, knowing the material and speaking with authority on that particular subjects projects confidence, which in turn makes you less nervous while your up on center stage.

3. Use bullet points and do not memorize word for word.

If you try to memorize your entire speech or presentation, that will make you more nervous! Instead focusing on memorizing bullet points has helped me since I can be a little more spontaneous, but at the same time, give me direction whenever I feel lost. Trying to memorize what you have to say word for word just makes you think more about what you have to say, which puts more pressure on yourself.

4. As I saw on a shampoo commercial where a guy tells his nervous professor to just imagine him naked to take away his fear of speaking…

Realize this: whoever your audience is, they want you to succeed. Even if you are very nervous, if you just stand tall you will look 90% confident. The fast heart beat, butterflies, and sweaty palms can’t be seen by the audience. In fact, they want to hear a good presentation, and most times, they will like you no matter what.

5. Smile. Smiling makes you happier and makes you more confident.

Smile and try to gaze for familiar faces. This allows you to make a positive connection with your audience and takes your mind of of the “I can’t do this” thoughts.

6. Be enthusiastic.

Even if its a boring business meeting or a boring school presentation, saying your part with fake enthusiasm will rub off…to yourself! Its like smiling except it you can do it for the entire duration.

7. Eat a lot of yogurt and nuts.

Some natural chemical inside yogurts and nuts helps to calm you down. I find this works better than a glass of water, and just the fact of me eating it makes me psychologically more confident in myself.

8. Breathe. But don’t just breathe, breathe until your lungs are full.

Make sure to get enough oxygen inside of you just in case you run into the good old shortness of breath. Rapid breathing is one of my main problems when I am in a public speaking setting, so I always make sure to take a couple big breaths right before I start talking.

9. Project a success image into your head right before you begin talking.

I usually like to project myself confidently presenting to my audience, and when the time comes for me to begin, I will follow my projections to a T.

10. As the famous A.I. once said, “Practice? Practice? You wanna talk about Practice?”

Yes, practice by yourself talking into an imaginary audience, practice to your roommates, your parents, siblings, friends, or even your dog. Practice puts the motion inside your brain, and when the actual time for your speech comes, your brain will already know what to say.

Of course, the best way to overcome your fear of public speaking is through public speaking classes. It is pretty much practice, just in a real setting. There are also many different self-help programs that aim to give you confidence and help you develop techniques to overcome anxiety and panic.

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Note from author Tim Carllson: I have spent all of high school and college in fear of getting up and talking in front of my peers. Its such a simple task, but one that made me extremely nervous and sweaty. There is hope for people like me, and I found how to overcome my public speaking fears. Visit http://www.squidoo.com/fightpanicattacks to read about how I was able to overcome my fears and anxieties.

One of the primary reasons people enter this occupation is because they wish to earn some life-threatening cash. With dreams of stardom and hopes of owning the Mercedes and the million-dollar home, they set off in hunt for getting highly paid gigs only to get knocked down by rejection after rejection. After doing some investigation, they discover that virtually all of their starting events will be free speaking gigs.

What?!?

If “free” is a horrendous four letter word in your livelihood vocabulary, you will need to change your thinking about the importance and value that “free” can actually provide. There are wonderful advantages that come with speaking without charge — including having the capacity to promote your back of the room products where you can genuinely profit. You’ll be gaining new experiences and building your clientele list.

1. “Free” still gets your name out.

The more people who hear you speak, the more people you will have to potentially buy your product and refer you to other people are seeking professional speakers. As an example, speaking at no cost for an organization like a Rotary Club or Elks Club can result in paying jobs because most of the members who owned by this organization have businesses of their own or are in positions in their careers where they’re the decision makers to “hire” speakers.

2. You can, nevertheless, have the opportunity to sell your products at these free speaking engagements.

Statistics show that back of the room products account for over 50% of professional speaking profits. Promote your enterprise and promote your products in the same location! At at minimum, you will be able to refer them to your web site for more info or additionally, to purchase products and books. The more people that hear you, the more opportunities you’ll have.

3. Free speaking opportunities are still opportunities where you are able to create a video tape of yourself.

Many speaker bureaus and meeting planners won’t hire you without seeing a video tape of your presentation. On top of that, many organizations such as the Rotary Club or Elks Club have people who can assist you create your video. Can you trade services?

4. Free speaking engagements are a fantastic place to network.

Hopefully by now you realize that you have to get your name out there. As a way to get your name around, you’ll ought to be around. You can nevertheless mingle with your guests as well as network with meeting planners for the function.

5. A totally free speech happening is still a fantastic reason to send out a press release.

If you are looking for a cause to send out press releases about yourself or your livelihood, use free speaking engagements. Submit them to local newspapers and various online sites that have a “to-do in your field” section. This is barely another method to get the word out about your enterprise.

Speaking free of charge has its advantages. What you will have to learn next is how to leverage these free occurrences into referrals and product sales. As you do this, more people will realize you and your company will be well on its way to success!

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Zane O’Neill has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in weight loss, fitness and diet, you can also check out his latest websites on Pet Water Fountain and portable electric generator.

Stories are by far one of the most powerful weapons you can use to make your point. Most public speakers know that. Yet very few have mastered the art of telling stories that can move an audience so much that it becomes unforgettable.

What normally happens is the speaker starts narrating a story. He begins sharing a story just like a meteorologist gives the weather report. He reports that a blizzard will arrive tomorrow, but doesn’t warn you how bitter cold it could get.

In other words he’s giving you information that’s on the surface. It’s factual, but doesn’t really put you at the scene. And if you’re not at the scene, then you won’t feel the scene’s true personal and emotional impact.

As a result of this his audience misses out on the highs and the lows. The pain and the pleasure. The humor and the pathos. And every other human feeling ranging from goose bumps, to temptation, to sheer, unadulterated ecstasy.

But here’s the cure…

Dialogue.

A conversation between two or more people. This puts your audience member at the scene. She is helplessly drawn in as you permit her to eavesdrop on a conversation.

Dialogue also means having a conversation with your audience. You bring them into your message. You are no longer talking at them, but with them.

Let’s look at five examples of why dialogue is so powerful:

1) Show me… don’t just tell me. This is really powerful when done right.

Avoid saying, “I stood next to the bee hive.”

But say this, “I turned around and found myself five feet from an active bee hive.”

Can you picture your audience feeling your surprise, shock and fear?

2) Reaching beneath the surface.

Avoid saying, “I grew up in a village filled with hunger, misery and danger.”

But do say, “In my village I could barely sleep at night because of my stomach pains, insect bites and nearby gunfire.”

Admitting you have pain is not as effective as experiencing your pain.

3) Drops your audience right in the middle of a scene.

Avoid saying, “I told Grace not to play with matches.”

Why don’t you say, “Grace, don’t play with those matches!” (In a yelling tone.)

Do you feel the emotional intensity you’ve created during this scene?

4) Conversation with your audience.

Avoid saying, “I went to the bowling alley for some fun. I saw Judy there. She was with Brad.”

How about saying, “As I approached the bowling alley I saw my sweetheart Judy. And do you know what? Her arms were wrapped around Brad!”

Can you see how one targeted question pulls your audience deeper into your story?

5) Playing with vocal variety.

Avoid saying, “Despina, the Greek lady, asked me why I was working here.”

But say, “Despina, the Greek lady asked me, ‘Why you working here?’” (In her voice.)

It’s always far more interesting for an audience to hear other voices. When you’re narrating a story, you’re not able to repeat something said using that person’s voice. But you can create those other voices within a dialogue.

Use the power of dialogue. It’s far more interesting and memorable for your audience. They’ll appreciate how you’ve dropped them right in the middle of a scene. And in this scene is where they are touched.

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Tommy Yan helps business owners and entrepreneurs make more money through direct response marketing. He publishes Tommy’s Tease weekly e-zine to inspire people to succeed in business and personal growth. Get your free subscription today at http://www.TommyYan.com.

If you’re a speaker, trainer, coach, or a consultant — the major challenge you face is connecting with your audience. You talk, shout, or recite your message while they are dreaming about dinner.

Their eyes are glossy, their minds’ elsewhere, and their bodies ready to bolt. You don’t have a lot of time, so you’ve got to grab their attention fast. Or else, you’ll die wrestling against audience resistance. Find out how…