Speechmaking "Rules" Part 2

Speechmaking "Rules" You Should NOT Pay Attention To. Part 2
By Michael Masterson

5. Tell a joke to get started. Too risky. If you feel you need to tell a joke to loosen yourself up, chances are you won't tell it well. It's safer and just as effective to lead with a strong, compelling statement or question.

6. Cover all bases. I've never been able to cover even half the bases. If you research your subject properly, if you do some serious thinking, if you prepare yourself by seeking ideas and talking to other people, you'll have much, much more to say than you will be able to say in the time allotted. Decide, beforehand, on the most important issues and address them. Leave the lesser matters to the Q&A period, if there is one.

7. Summarize at the end. Never summarize. Summary is always boring because it is, by definition, abstract or diluted. Rather than summarize, restate your big idea in a different way. Make your last line a knock-out punch.

8. Keep control at all times. Like the "Don't be nervous" advice, this isn't helpful. The way to keep control is not to think about control. Think about what you are saying. Think, "I have something important to tell these people. They really need to hear it." Focus on your ideas, not yourself.

[Ed. Note: The above was adapted from Michael Masterson's book Power and Persuasion. Pick up your copy to discover the keys to mastering the two universal rules of power and success and unlocking massive personal and professional power.]