======================================================= Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas E-Zine Volume 10, May, 2007 Published by Lenny Laskowski Copyright LJL Seminars(tm), 2006 All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------- LJL Seminars (tm) (203)375-5617 or Toll Free 1-800-606-4855 Fax: (800) 743-3314 www.ljlseminars.com ------------------------------------------------------- This E-Zine meets the requirements of the "Can Spam Act of 2003" (S.877), of December 16, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: You are receiving this E-Zine because you have subscribed via our website or by email. If you did not subscribe, removal instructions can be found at the end of this newsletter. =============================================================- A. Lenny's Tip of the Month B. End of the Year e-Book/ Teleseminar Special ============================================================= ------------- Lenny's Tip of the Month ------------------ Speech Day Checklist -Part II by Lenny Laskowski © 2006 LJL Seminars "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" (Chapter 8 - page 175-176) http://www.ljlseminars.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Speech Day Checklist - Part II In part I, I discussed the importance of arriving early to your speaking event. Below are some specific things that I always do when I arrive early. - Contact your liaison for the event. When you arrive, contact the person who hired you. Ask if he or she would like to meet you in the room where you will be speaking to check over the details and any last-minute changes. - Unpack. As you unpack and set up your materials for your session, make sure you place your materials where they are accessible to you. Use your packing list to check off each item as you take care of it. Place handouts at the back of the room or wherever you deem logical. - Arrange for a pitcher of warm water. Arrange to have a pitcher and glass of warm water nearby. Drinking warm water not only helps your mouth, but also relaxes your vocal chords and muscles. Contrary to popular belief, drinking ice water only tightens up your voice muscles. Inquire with the hotel staff or meeting planner if you need an extra table for the pitcher and glass, especially if you are speaking from a lectern. - Check out your equipment. The last thing you do is check out your equipment. Make sure you have spare bulbs if you are using an overhead projector. Check to be sure your LCD projector and screen is positioned properly as to not obstruct the audience's view from any part of the room. Make sure everyone will be able to see you and your visual aids from where they are sitting. - Find out how to control the lighting in the room. Be sure that any ceiling lamps are not casting light on your screen such that it washes out your image. I will often have someone loosen one or more of the ceiling bulbs so I control the cast light on the screen. - Check your microphone. Make sure your microphone is working properly and the batteries are fresh before you start. Be sure to know how to turn your microphone on / off. While there are many additional little items I also take care of, these are some of the key ones I pay attention to. Hopefully you can now relax before your speech or presentation: knowing that everything is in place, you can psych yourself up for the actual event. It is very hard to get pumped up if you are worrying about last minute details. Meet and Greet Taking care of these details early will allow you to now meet and greet as many participants as possible before your presentation. If there is a cocktail hour or meet-and-greet session, make every effort to introduce yourself to as many people as you can before the program. Get to know as many of their names as possible and even go so far as to ask them what they are expecting during your presentation. These techniques allow you to listen to your audience's expectations and may remind you of personal stories you can incorporate into your presentation that relate to issues they bring up. Do not limit yourself to meeting and speaking only with the leaders of the organization, association, or company; get to know participants and their guests as well. Do not consume alcohol during the social hour. I avoid alcoholic beverages before I speak since it can effect my presentation and your voice. Hold your beverage in your left hand so your right hand is free to shake hands with people as you greet them. ------------------------------------------------------------------ We look forward to providing you with all your presentation skills and public speaking skills training for remaining of2007. We are currently booking programs for 2007 so be sure to call and reserve your dates! You can also write to us at: Lenny Laskowski LJL Seminars (tm) 430 Freeman Avenue Stratford, CT. 06614-4026 United States of America