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How to Make a Positive, Succinct Point When Presenting
In business, business relationships, career, coaching, communicating, communication, communication skills, executive coaching, executives, leadership, messages, people skills, presentation skills, presentations, presenting, professional development training, public speaking, public speaking fear, sales, selling, speech preparation, speech writing, training on September 1, 2015 at 3:43 pmRemember the end of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech? “Think not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Imagine if he’d said it like this: “Don’t misunderstand the role of being an American citizen. You can’t sit back while your government works to make you secure. You have to step up to the plate, be proactive and support the whole. We’re counting on you, and we’re in this together….or else.”
Not so good. Right? Certainly no one would be quoting it nearly 50 years later. His actual words inspired and challenged people — giving them a fine reputation to live up to and a good cause to work towards. A winning speech!
This is a great example of delivering a compelling point while conveying a positive message. It must be memorable and give listeners something to respond to; an action with an inherent value to them for taking that action. We want to get buy-in and be perceived as leaders, too.
Generally, people absorb messages when they’re short. Here’s the difference:
a. Don’t smoke — you’ll die too young from a devastating cancer of the mouth, tongue, lungs or brain. You’ll shorten your life, you’ll contaminate the air and give others health problems from second hand smoke.
b. Avoid getting cancer. Don’t smoke! You can live a long, healthy life.
Which message would you be able to quote? Isn’t that what you would want your listeners to be able to do with your message?
Here are a few steps in preparing your positive, succinct point:
1. Identify the point of your message. This is frequently something you’d like your listeners to do, change, or follow-up on. Do you want them to take your advice, remember something you said or take on a challenge? Write that one thing down. Make it ONE thing only. The action you want them to take is the point of your speech.
2. Use this core point to gather information such as, facts, personal examples, anecdotes, to reinforce your point. Use this information to enhance and drive home your message.
3. Create a value proposition. Your point must have a value to the audience or you will lose your ability to make impact.
When you deliver your message, here’s the order for making a succinct point:
a. Share your examples, anecdotes, facts, etc., rich with detail that ties your point to your message.
b. State your point.
c. Make it clear to the listener that there’s a value to him/her for doing what you suggest.
Think not what your audience can do for you, but what you can do for your audience!
Go get ’em!
Jackie
Copyright, PointMaker Communications, Inc., 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jackie Kellso and PointMaker Communications, Inc., with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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