Pope Francis speaks during the TED Conference, urging people to connect with and understand others, during a video presentation at the annual scientific, cultural and academic event in Vancouver April 25, 2017. (Photo: Glenn Chapman, AFP/Getty Images)
So, to avoid spending all day memorizing a script, most of us refer to notes. We keep these notes off to the side of the lectern we’re speaking from or, if we’re presenting on video, we may use teleprompter software and just read the script word for word.
There lies the problem!
Whenever you refer to notes, or use a teleprompter without proper training, you appear less credible on your subject, and that hurts your brand. When you’re only delivering short presentations, every second you glance away from your audience makes you look less confident. Every second you’re not looking at your audience means you’re missing out on a stronger connection and therefore a stronger brand.
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So how do you create a well-versed, non-scripted presentation?
Instead of scripting all 400 words for a three-minute presentation, only write down one sentence for your opening, one sentence for each of the three points you want the audience to learn, and one sentence for your closing.
Once you have those five sentences, memorize them word for word. Five short sentences are about 50 words, so memorizing them should take you only about 15 minutes.
Then use your knowledge and your stories to elaborate on each of those five sentences you have memorized.
Pope Francis speaks during the TED Conference, urging people to connect with and understand others, during a video presentation at the annual scientific, cultural and academic event in Vancouver April 25, 2017. (Photo: Glenn Chapman, AFP/Getty Images)
So, to avoid spending all day memorizing a script, most of us refer to notes. We keep these notes off to the side of the lectern we’re speaking from or, if we’re presenting on video, we may use teleprompter software and just read the script word for word.
There lies the problem!
Whenever you refer to notes, or use a teleprompter without proper training, you appear less credible on your subject, and that hurts your brand. When you’re only delivering short presentations, every second you glance away from your audience makes you look less confident. Every second you’re not looking at your audience means you’re missing out on a stronger connection and therefore a stronger brand.
More: Bigger, better, faster: Let technology lead the way for your small business
More: Get out! Seriously, small-biz owner: You've got to take a vacation
So how do you create a well-versed, non-scripted presentation?
Instead of scripting all 400 words for a three-minute presentation, only write down one sentence for your opening, one sentence for each of the three points you want the audience to learn, and one sentence for your closing.
Once you have those five sentences, memorize them word for word. Five short sentences are about 50 words, so memorizing them should take you only about 15 minutes.
Then use your knowledge and your stories to elaborate on each of those five sentences you have memorized.
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