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The 7 Deadly Public Speaking Sins...and How to Avoid Them

"The 7 deadly religious sins may keep you out of heaven but the 7 deadly public speaking sins will put your audience through hell!"...Michael Cloud

There is probably no other skill that will elevate your effectiveness and leadership as much as being able to present yourself, your organization and your ideas with confidence, clarity and credibility. The first step to becoming a top notch speaker is to be aware of The 7 Deadly Public Speaking Sins and learn How to Avoid Them.

The First Deadly Public Speaking Sin: FAILURE TO PRACTICE PROPERLY

Some speakers don't practice at all. Others don't practice enough. No wonder their podium performances are lackluster, boring and confusing. If you can't afford to practice properly, you can't afford the consequences of performing poorly. If the speech does not warrant your serious preparation time, don't deliver it!

If Failure to Practice Properly is the Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  • World Class Speakers like Dale Carnegie have mirrored their way to speaking success. You can, too. Practice your speech 3 to 7 times in front of the mirror. This provides immediate, visual feedback on how you look to your audience. Mirror practice also helps you see what to change. Make these modifications and then practice them another 3 to 7 times.
  • Tape record and/or video tape your practices and all live performances. Replay the recordings. What did you like? What needs to be changed? Make the changes and practice them in front of the mirror.
  • Solicit feedback from audience members on all live performances.

The Second Deadly Public Speaking Sin: NO WELL-DEFINED THEME

Some speeches have no unifying theme or try to cover too many topics and ideas. Others say nothing of value or try to say everything. None of these approaches are effective. The absence of a well-defined message suggests the audience is not important to the speaker. Can you afford to have this happen to you?

If the Absence of a Well-Defined Theme is the Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

A perfect speech theme is the same as a perfect bumper sticker. Before writing your speech, identify the one message you want the audience to take home with them. Summarize it in one sentence - this is your theme.

Write your theme sentence of the top of a piece of paper. Every point in your speech should then contribute to, enhance or illustrate your theme. When you establish a clear theme you are not tempted to include unrelated material.

The Third Deadly Public Speaking Sin: FAILURE TO FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Every good speech is aimed at a specific segment of the audience. These are the individuals who are able and might be willing to respond to your theme or central message. For example, to a salesperson, the target audience consists of people who want or need the product being sold.

If Not Focusing on Your Target Audience is the Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  • Identify and profile your target audience. Age? Gender? Income? Occupation? Education? Lifestyle? What distinguishes them from the other audience members? What do they have in common with each other? What are their issues, concerns and 'hot' buttons?
  • What does your target audience already know about you and your message? (this allows you to limit the time spent on developing these points). Focus on what they need to know to respond in the way you want.

The Fourth Deadly Public Speaking Sin: A LACK OF PASSION

A speech without passion is a speech without power. It is not embarrassing to take a clear stand on a subject you feel strongly about. Sincerity and enthusiasm help you call audience members to action.

If Lack of Passion is the Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  • Express, act out, demonstrate your passion and commitment to your message.
  • Let your passion be your guide. If you cannot develop enthusiasm for your topic, you have the wrong message.

The Fifth Deadly Public Speaking Sin: WASTING THE OPENING

The audience forms their first impression of who you are and what you are saying in the first four minutes. Some speakers waste this time on mundane table talk. Others apologize for not being prepared or tell unrelated jokes. Remember, first impressions are lasting impressions.

If Wasting the Opening is the Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  • Start strong. Leap right into your speech. Remember, it is never necessary to recover from a great beginning.
  • Create a positive first impression and the audience will not only get on your side, they will stay there.

The Sixth Deadly Public Speaking Sin: A WEAK CLOSE

Your concluding remarks are the most important part of your speech - ask yourself if you would rather have the first word in an argument or the last and you will know why this is the case.

If a Weak Close is a Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  • Write the conclusion first. This is your most powerful point.
  • Don't thank the audience for listening to you.

The Seventh Deadly Public Speaking Sin: FAILING TO WRITE THE SPEECH SCRIPT

The smarter a speaker is, the higher the likelihood they will try to work from weak notes, improvise or fake it. In the absence of a script: the speaker talks too long on one thing and not long enough on another; key points are omitted; and, the speaker loses track of the time and the point, gets lost and repeats themselves.

If Failing to Write the Speech Script is a Sin, what is the REDEMPTION?

  1. Write down everything you can think of that deals with your topic for 20 minutes. Then, put it away.
  2. Review these ideas a day or two later. Add to them.
  3. What's your main point (theme)?
  4. Write your theme sentence on the top of a blank sheet of paper. Copy the ideas from items 1 and 2 under your theme sentence.
  5. What point belongs first? Second? Speech Writer's Rule: open your speech with the second most important point and close with the most powerful point.
  6. Write down examples, evidence and reasoned argument that support each point of the speech. Speech Writer's Rule: no more than 3 powerful points. All examples should support these 3 points.
  7. Write your speech script from these notes. Speech Writer's Rule: Write the conclusion first.
  8. Talk your speech script into a tape recorder. Play it back. While listening to your recording, write in any needed changes.
  9. Practice 3 to 7 time in front of the mirror. Give it everything you've got.
  10. Make any needed changes. Repeat steps 10 and 11 as needed.

Hell may be other people for Jean Paul Sartre. You can save your audience from a similar fate. Simply recognize the 7 Deadly Public Speaking Sins and learn How to Avoid Them!