Sunday, March 10, 2019

The 5-Step Recipe for Speaking Success

Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey top the list of the Most Admired Women in America. The Former First Lady and the billionaire media mogul, who ranked #1 and #2 in the 2018 Gallup poll, are powerful speakers. And these ladies share a speaking style that you can use to build your influence and stand out as a presenter.

The Obama-Oprah speaking recipe can take your presentations from good to great. If you master the five-step recipe, you’ll become a more influential, impressive and entertaining presenter. To follow their recipe for speaking success, you need to:

Step 1: Be Authentic – Bring your “off-stage” personality on stage. Your audience wants to see you at your best. If you like to smile and tell jokes with your friends, look for ways to get a smile and a few laughs from your audience. You’re most appealing when you’re being yourself.

Step 2: Connect – Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey connect with audiences because they talk about topics we can relate to. When you speak, point out how your message impacts or is relevant to your listeners.

Step 3: Be Conversational – Deliver your message like you’re having a conversation with one person. Ask questions, make lots of eye contact and check-in to see if you’re being understood.

Step 4: Tell Stories – Share personal and professional stories about you that reveal the lessons you’ve learned the hard way. Show your audience your flaws, failures, firsts and frustrations.

Step 5: Have Fun – Speak with energy and enthusiasm. All eyes are on you. If you’re not having fun, no one else will.

For more ways to win over an audience like a superstar, like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BetterSpeakingSkills)