Remedies for Audience Inattention

• Have a clear, easy to follow organization

• Use relevant, interesting examples, stories, anecdotes, and materials

• Use attention-getting devices and visuals

• Maintain eye contact

• Speak with enthusiasm and vocal variety

Dealing with the Wandering Mind

The Mind Wanders

The wandering mind is the result of loss of concentration This is caused by thinking of something other than your presentation The remedy is to put everything out of your mind but your speech. Tell yourself, «This presentation and my audience are the most important things I have to deal with now.» The rest I will think about later. «This is essential because, if you cannot keep your own attention, how can you expect to keep your audience's?»

Remedies for Mind Wandering

• Pay strict attention to your presentation and your audience

• Clear your mind of other concerns and problems

Dealing with Speakers Amnesia

The Mind goes Blank

You have prepared and step up to make your presentation. Suddenly, your mind goes blank. You cannot remember your speech.

This situation can be avoided, first, by relaxing before your speech. Reread your text immediately before your speech to refresh your memory and to increase your confidence. Then, when it comes time to speak, make certain you have your text or matrix with you. As you know, the matrix contains everything you need to present your speech including ideas, details, visual cues, and, if appropriate, references. Since that first 10 seconds is the most critical, part of the speech for most presenters, it's a good idea to include most of your introduction on your matrix. With a legible, well-prepared matrix, all you have to do is refer to it if you lose your place or forget your text.

Remedies for Spanker's Amnesia

• Reread your matrix and materials before you speak

• Make certain to take your matrix and materials on stage with you

• Include most of your introduction in your matrix to help you get started

• Make certain your matrix is correct, complete, and legible

Dealing with the Foot-in-the-Month Syndrome

Another common fear is the fear of accidentally doing or saying something to offend the audience. The American idiom for this is «putting your foot in your mouth». This occurs because of a slip of the tongue, the careless use of a microphone, or the selection of inappropriate material, usually stories or jokes, that offends members of the audience.

There are many ways to avoid putting your foot in your mouth. The most important is to think before you speak. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of material or the audience's sensitivity to it, leave it out.

The live microphone

Second, remember that all microphones are «live» or «on» until proven otherwise. Never say anything you would mind everyone hearing. Individuals from disc jockeys to U.S. presidents have experienced embarrassment and even unemployment because their remarks were heard over a supposedly «dead» or disconnected microphone.

Remedies for the «Foot-in-the-Mouth Syndrome»

• Analyze your material in terms of your audience

• Think before you speak

• When in doubt, leave questionable material out

• Pay attention to what you are saying during your speech

• Avoid any sexual, racial, political, or cultural innuendo or joke

• Consider all microphones «live»

• Apologize and go on if you make a mistake