Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter."

- Gilbert Amelio, President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp.

A MUST HAVE POCKET REFERENCE BOOK

& a great gift for the holidays

for Toastmasters and anyone
who gives presentations

31 Tips to Becoming an Effective Presenter
(in a paperback pocketbook or an audio CD)
 

Preface and Introduction

(from the Audio Book Version)


Providing tips for every presentation scenario and giving basic instruction for presenters new and old, 31 Tips to Becoming an Effective Presenter, is a key resource for readers interested in improving their skills as effective public communicators. The book has been available, both in paperback and as an audio CD, in many online bookstores since its release date of Oct. 7, 2008.


It is now available through Toastmasters International at http://bit.ly/31TipsTM

“31 Tips to Becoming an Effective Presenter is well organized, to the point, and easy to read. This is ideal for any level of presenter who wants greater credibility, command, and confidence when speaking.”

- Sheryl Roush
Internationally, top-rated trainer, speaker, and author
Sparkle Presentations
 
 
I'm a big fan of Frank Adamo - the Godfather of Effective Communications. Adamo is a gentle, intelligent soul with a profound understanding of the power of effective communications and the practical experience which comes from testing and trying out various ideas on his own. I think it is a little bit of a misnomer to say that there are only 31 tips in this book. In truth, the simple tips Adamo shares with us involve multiple techniques, thoughtful questions, and checklists of important information. As a paid speaker myself, I find it useful to review Adamo's tips prior to accepting a speaking engagement and to take his light, easy-to-follow book on the plane with me. While much of what he says is common sense, and standard procedure in the world of competitive Toastmasters, Adamo is one of the few people that really gets me motivated to apply these ideas in a consistent fashion. I recommend his book with out hesitation or reservation. Every professional speaker and everyone who makes a living in communications needs to have this book in their luggage.

J. C. Drew
Fund-Raising Consultant, Contractor and Trainer
 

Preface and Introduction

(from the Audio Book Version)

Tip 1: Writing your presentation

We write our presentation to refine it, to massage it, to rearrange it, to organize it better, and to remove verbiage that is not necessary.

Tip 2: Starting with the conclusion

If your intent is to persuade, consider writing the conclusion first.

Tip 3: Using the power of three

Of all odd numbers, three seems to be the “ideal” and, perhaps, the most powerful.

Tip 4: Grabbing the audience’s attention

Grab the audience’s attention immediately, then if there’s a need, compliment or thank the organizers and the audience.

Tip 5: Organizing Your Presentation

One of the easiest ways to organize your presentation is to create PowerPoint slides from Microsoft Word.

Tip 6: Practicing without visual aids

PowerPoint and other visual aids should be used only to enhance your presentation– not to distract from it.

Tip 7: Rehearsing your presentation

To rehearse is similar to a dress rehearsal before the opening of a play.

Tip 8: Creating a checklist

You should develop a checklist specific to your own needs.

Tip 9: Knowing your location

Don’t assume that everything is set up.
 

Tip 10: Familiarizing yourself with your audience

Even if you know all your attendees, take a few moments before the presentation to greet them.

Tip 11: Positioning the projector and screen

To be an effective presenter, you want to be the center of attention, i.e. to be able to present from the center of the staging area.

Tip 12: Using the lectern

Many presenters will stand behind the lectern when they present. If you have the opportunity, move away from the lectern and closer to the audience.
 

Tip 13: Pausing before beginning

Take a moment or two and pause before you begin your presentation.
 

Tip 14: Apologizing

Remember, you are the expert. People came to hear you speak. If you acknowledge a mistake, it may lower the expectation of your audience.

Tip 15: Using PowerPoint or other visual aids

PowerPoint is a tremendous tool that should not be ignored, but the slides need to enhance our presentation and not detract from the ultimate goal of our message.

Tip 16: Using outlines

If you leave the lectern to engage the audience, you can always return to the lectern, quickly glance at the outline, and continue with the next topic without interruption.

Tip 17: Avoiding jargon or acronyms

Refrain from using your industry’s jargon, abbreviations, or acronyms, even if you are presenting in front of colleagues.

Tip 18: Doing your research

Do your research. Learn about the client. Understand who they are and what they do.
 

Tip 19: Making eye contact

Eye contact is extremely important to the audience.

Tip 20: Understanding different cultures

In general, we can make direct eye contact with Middle Easterners, some Latin Americans, and the French.  Refrain from making direct eye contact with East Asians, Southeast Asians, East Indians, and Native Americans.

Tip 21: Focusing on benefits, not features

Benefits emotionalize features
 

Tip 22: Shortening your presentation

Have you been in a situation where there are a series of presenters and the scheduled events were running behind time?

Tip 23: Answering questions

After a few questions and answers, your excitement from the powerful conclusion waned and you left without taking any action.

Tip 24: Distributing handouts

My choice is to distribute the handouts at the end of the presentation.
 

Tip 25: Broadcasting your outline

Don’t give any indication of your outline unless you have control of your time.

Tip 26: Learning from every presentation

If you were not effective in giving a presentation, be open-minded and learn from it.

Tip 27: Getting feedback

Read the comments – even the negative comments.
 

Tip 28: Mingling with the audience

We should mingle with the audience after our presentation. Of course, there may be times when this isn’t possible but if you can, you should.

Tip 29: Following up

Be sure that you follow up within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Tip 30: Evaluating others

As you observe and evaluate others, learn from them—both the good and bad.

Tip 31: Joining Toastmasters

Toastmasters have helped millions of individuals gain confidence and poise
by improving their communications and leadership skills.

"I find the book was very organized and presented in an orderly and entertaining way. It speaks to different levels of presenters and speakers from a "Public Speaking for Dummies" kind of primer to a great reminder for the very experienced. Frank beautifully laid out how to interact with an audience, making the experience not just a one-way presentation, but a two way dialog where the speaker learns as well.”

C. Walsh
Participate in the 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking

Frank S. Adamo
The Author

Communications skills can make or break a career. Maintaining one's inner strength through times of adversity is possible. Having a "Yes You Can" attitude can lead to one's passion in life. Frank is in the business of creating new lives by showing others how to be more successful financially, spiritually and personally.

Frank S. Adamo is a communications coach, certified career transition coach, international trainer and instructor, and the published author of 31 Tips to Becoming an Effective Presenter and a contributor to the books Discover your Inner Strength with Brian Tracy, Ken Blanchard and Stephen Covey and Yes You Can! with Jim Rohn and Dr. Warren Bennis
 

“I really enjoy reading the book "31 Tips to becoming an Effective Presenter! I could not stop reading the book until I finished reading it once. The book is easy to read, very well organized and to the point.  It clearly explains the techniques on how to give effective presentation. It is a must read book for technical professionals who are reluctant to deliver presentations.”

Yetti Chiu. MBA/ FCCA

 


Now available through Toastmasters International at http://bit.ly/31TipsTM
 

"I found your book to be very clearly written and full of practical tips for speakers and would-be speakers.”

Dilip Abayasekara PhD, 2005-06 Toastmasters International President
Speaker Services Unlimited