Public Speaking: Give Value or Go Home

Have you ever attended a presentation that was more filler and fluff than actual content? Have you ever walked away from a presentation feeling like you wasted your time, and maybe even money? Have you ever felt inspired at the end of a presentation, only to forget the experience shortly thereafter? You may not be able to identify exactly what the problem was, but here's a theory: the speaker didn't give you anything of value.

It's one thing to leave a presentation feeling inspired. It's another thing to take action based on what the speaker had to say. An effective speaker gives the audience solid and significant value, content that can make a difference in someone's life, tools the audience can use once the presentation is over. Without this, your message has no more staying power than a cloud on a windy day.

Follow the tips below for insight into what makes a presentation valuable and life-changing to your audience.

Pointer 1: Your content must be relevant

How do you show your audience the relevance of your topic to their own lives?

* Make sure you've targeted your presentation to the appropriate audience. Assuming that the elderly women in the room are all grandmothers may cause a disconnect with your audience.
* Ask participants to share their goals and expectations for the presentation and what they hope to learn.
* Instead of using theoretical examples, use stories and analogies to demonstrate how your topic has been relevant to real people, including yourself.

Relevancy is one of the major keys to learning for people of all ages. We lose interest when a topic doesn't seem useful, so demonstrate how your topic makes sense in your audience's lives.

Pointer 2: Your content must be applicable

Your audience members are practical and problem-oriented, and want to apply what they've learned. If they can't see how to apply it immediately to their lives or work, they will forget everything you've told them. How do you demonstrate applicability?

* Ask the audience to share their examples and experiences of real-world applications of your topic.
* Use problem-solving group activities as part of your presentation.
* Ask the audience to create task lists or action items for how they can apply the information.
* Offer follow-up coaching or mentoring to help the audience members with continued application.

Pointer 3: Offer tools to the audience

Tools are critical to ensuring that the audience remembers your message and continues to apply their learning. Tools can be printed material, online content or just verbal action steps, but you should always offer some tools that your audience can take with them. What kinds of tools can you offer to help your participants move forward?

* Specific action steps that have worked for you and others
* Checklists and grids
* Worksheets and workbooks
* Online resources and links
* Quick tips and tricks
* Newsletters and ezines

Be creative when building your presentation. Keep in mind your audience's needs when determining what is relevant and useful to them. Show them how to apply the information and how to continue using your content long after the presentation is over. You won't change your audience's lives with filler and fluff - provide real value to create real change.