To have a presentation that’s easy to follow and easy to understand-which should be any speaker’s objective-there needs to be a clear sense of organization. The beauty of a well-organized talk is it not only helps the audience follow along and stay with you, but it also helps you stay on track and not lose your train of thought.

The simplest, yet most powerful, tool for organizing and delivering your thoughts logically and coherently is the “talk template.”

Here’s an outline and explanation of the elements of the template. Note it’s divided into three parts. But it’s not three equal parts. Like the famous sandwich of the comic strip character Dagwood, all the meat is in the middle. The intro and conclusion serve to hold it all together, to add a little flavor and interest, but the body is the meat of your talk-it’s what you’ve got to say.

I. INTRODUCTION: The introduction sets the stage, establishes your credibility, gets your momentum going, and makes the audience want to listen to you. Two components:

A.    Hook: get the audience’s attention. Reel ‘em in. A great hook will make the audience take notice and want to listen to you. Possible hooks include: an anecdote, story, prop or visual, question, quotation, startling statement.

B.     Reason to Listen: Tell the audience how they’ll benefit from your talk. How will it will make them happier, safer, more successful, make their jobs easier, make their wallets thicker?

II.             BODY: This is the meat of your talk. Here is where you present your main ideas in a logical order and explain and elaborate on each point as much as your time limit allows. It’s composed of:

A.    Road Map: Just as a map on a road trip helps you know where you’re going, a road map for your talk lets the audience know where you’re going to take them. It makes it easier for them to follow along. This is the same thing as the classic speech adage, “Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em.”

B.     Main Points: Identify your main ideas-usually about three to five-and chose the most logical way to order them.

• Topical-your main points are arranged by particular topics.
• Chronological-your main points follow a natural sequential flow, such explaining a recipe.
• Spatial-your points are arranged according to geography, such as reports about the North, South, East and West divisions; or a description of a room, a building, a city.
• Problem-Solution-you explain the problem you encountered, then describe how you solved (or propose to solve) it.

III.    CONCLUSION: The ending of your talk is important because it’s your last chance to make a good impression. To be effective, it should have two elements, plus note how the Q&A is inserted:

1. Summary: bring it all home, wrap it all up, deliver one final gem that embodies the essence of what you’ve said.
2. Q&A. In order preserve the impact of your close, consider opening the floor for questions before you deliver your closing. After your Q&A session, you deliver your closing statement.
3. Closing: bring the talk to a definitive and memorable end. You can use the same tools in closing as in your hook: an anecdote, story, prop or visual, quotation.

A final thought about your template. Don’t write it out word for word. Instead, outline it with key words and bullet points-enough to keep you on track, but not so much that you feel the need to read them. This will enable you to be conversational and natural, a great attribute of a compelling speaker.

I’ve always loved the rush of being onstage. I am probably one of the few people who looks back fondly on Easter and Christmas programs at church or school plays in elementary school. I even survived that momentus Easter Sunday I stood on the small stage in the basement of our family church in Steelton, Pennsylvania and realized by the look of maternal horror on my mother’s face that I had begun reciting my sister’s Easter poem instead of my own.

You guessed it: I had learned both our poems by heart….

When I first moved to Germany I worked as an EFL teacher in front of an adult audience for several years. My first professional presentation, however, came back in the late 80′s when I got a job working for a company that developed international brand names for new products, services and companies. The first client meeting I attended was held in English, so – without really warning me beforehand – our managing director decided that I – as the native speaker – should present our proposals to the client. Of course I was nervous! But the natural performer in me kicked in and I put everything I had into making those brand name proposals comes to life – and laid a further cornerstone for my future as a passionate presenter and accomplished presentation skills trainer.

During my 15 year career in advertising, I presented in front of national and international audiences on a regular basis. Because of my reputation as a strong presenter, I was soon asked to put together a workshop on presentation skills for junior and mid-level staff throughout the Middle European region. In my naive quest to cover all the bases, the written module became a virtual laundry list addressing such pressing issues as preparing for the meeting, taking notes for your presentation, writing your presentation, editing your presentation, creating your charts, what visual/audio aids to use, etc. All worthy topics to be sure!

When I began actually conducting the workshop, though, I very quickly discovered three essential facts:

1. You can get a lot of great theoretical information on presenting from any decent book on the subject (or – in the meantime – online),
2. BUT: Most people have no idea how they look when they present
3. AND: Most people – even in the communications industry! – receive little or no direct feedback on their personal presentation performances.

Unbeknownst to me then, these simple discoveries became the seeds that eventually germinated into my Authentic Presentation Personality(TM) workshop series. The Authentic Presentation Personality(TM) workshops are designed to provide people with the opportunity to actually see themselves present, and – via 360 degree feedback – give them realistic insight into the impression they make on an audience while they present. In addition, they receive personalized tips on how to improve their unique impact as a presenter on a mission to sell their Big Ideas. In the meantime what began as one single mosdule hasd been based on my own experience in the workshops as well as the feedback from participatns, I’ve experienced so many resounding AHAs! during my workshops by people who have either seen some unknown side of themselves while presenting or – better still – see the huge improvement sometimes even the slightest modification in their behavior can cause that they could truly be made into a book unto themselves.

One day in the (very near) future maybe?

Of course, nothing can take the place of a LIVE opportunity to practice your presentation skills. In the meantime, though, I would like to leave you with something I share with my workshop participants:

8 Myths Standing between You and Your Authentic Presentation Personality(TM)

• “I’m not a good presenter”!

To quote American presentation trainer, Diane DiResta, “Life is a presentation”! If you ever doubt your skills as a presenter, remember the enthusiasm, wit, pathos and involvement you bring to stories you tell to your friends and family. Consider what habits/traits you have while communicating in your personal life that would enrich your business communication style and make it more authentically you.

• “I’m too nervous to be a good presenter!”

Most people deal with nervous energy before a presentation. Good presenters learn to tap into the energy that is being set free to better transport the enthusiasm and conviction they feel about their ideas!

• “I either have to memorize my presentation or read everything from my charts!”

Memorizing your presentation makes you inflexible for audience interaction, and – believe it or not – your audience can already read. That’s why it’s best to keep your charts brief and memorize the concept and “flow” of your presentation. That way complicated charts don’t distract from what you are saying, you express yourself naturally while presenting, and you can easily react to any questions or comments the audience makes.

• “I have to cover as much information as possible during my presentation!”

Concentrate on your essential message and adapt it to the timeframe available to you. People have limited memory spans, and it’s easier for them to remember what’s important (for them and for you!) if you don’t overload them with facts they already know or nonessential details.

• “I have to darken the room so people can see my charts better!”

People have come to your presentation to hear what YOU have to tell them. They can’t do that very well if they can’t see your face while you talk, or fall asleep in a darkened room.

• “I hate the fact that I move around so much when I present”

Dynamic, purposeful movement energizes you – and your audience! Remember that you’re not restricted to a space the size of a sheet of paper when you present. Use as much of the room as you feel comfortable using. Approach audience members! Point to charts, visuals, models. The more interesting you are to look at while presenting, the easier it is for your audience to pay attention.

• “I use my hands too much when I talk!”

Pay attention to dynamic speakers when they talk! Their hands dramatize and accentuate what they have to say. Of course, it’s distracting for your audience if you are swinging and waving your arms without rhyme or reason. If, however, you use meaningful gestures to emphasize your story, it will enrich the effect of what you are saying.

• “I can’t think if I am looking at someone!”

Yes, you can! Looking directly at individual members of your audience helps strengthen the relationship between you and them. They realize you are talking to – and not just at – them. It not only flatters them, it also keeps them listening more attentively. And it lets you see if everyone understands what you are saying, or if someone needs additional information or wants to make a comment. If you lose your train of thought or feel uncertain about something, simply look at someone who is encouraging you nonverbally. That’ll help relieve your stress, so you can continue with confidence!

Did you hear about debt negotiation tips six months back? The answer is no. This is because debt negotiation tips were not required. People were earning stable incomes and paying their dues in an easy manner. The present situation is a completely different scenario. Do you know why credit card companies are finding it hard to recover their dues? The unemployment rate is one of the reasons. As people are losing their jobs, they do not have enough money to pay their bills. Use the right debt negotiation tips and get your liabilities eliminated. What kind of debt negotiation tips do you need?

Attractive deals require good debt negotiation tips

If credit card firms are passing through a bad phase, this does not mean that you will be offered the best package without making any efforts. You need to bargain about each and everything. Mostly customers argue about the payment period and the installment size with the money granting company. If they get more time, the installment size is large.

Key debt negotiation tips to handle your creditor

Let’s look at some important factors required to handle the creditor.

· Do not sound desperate at any stage. If you do then the money granting company will try to convince you for a low percentage. Be firm and show that you deserve a good deal. If an experienced consultant is representing you, you don’t have to take these pressures.

· Money granting companies are quite rigid if the customer hides a point from his consultant. Do not hide any kind of information from the firm which is representing you. If you have been a defaulter in the past, your consultant should be aware of this fact.

· Generally financial companies are going through a lean patch but all of them are not facing the same kinds of troubles. Some firms offering settlements but they are in a strong financial situation. Hence, you cannot expect them to offer large reductions. On the other hand, if the financial firm is in a weak situation, it will accept anything. You can even get a reduction of eighty percent in that situation. This is because the firm will be desperate to get money. As a customer, you should analyze the condition of your credit card company before you take any kind of a decision. Using the right negotiation tips is really important.