Watch for those political one-liners

You may need thick skin to run for office but you also need a supply of one-liners to effectively turn away potential attacks or someone trying to lead you down the negativity path.

It’s the perfect season to keep your ears open and be ready to jot down the many examples of what seems to be quick wit (and sometimes is). Those one-liners may also be evidence of a good strategy of identifying possible points of attack and being ready with those one-liners that turn a possible negative into a positive.

Jack Kennedy probably wouldn’t have gotten to The White House without some of the gems he used to turn the conversation. Ronald Reagan mastered the art as have others. And currently, former Governor Tim Pawlenty when questioned about whether he had enough charisma to beat Barack Obama responded, “I’m not running for Entertainer-in-Chief. These are serious times . . . .”

If you know you’re going to face opposition to an idea or position, work on some one-liners of your own. Listen to candidates; learn from their triumphs and mistakes. It’s helpful to be prepared with a short, friendly, non-threatening come back. And most of all, don’t ever take it personally, because if you do, no matter how good the one-liner, you’ll lose the audience.

What are some Power Words you can use to get your audience to listen and take notice?

Trying to choose so-called Power Words can focus you more on the words and less on the substance. So, the audience may be impressed with your word power and miss your message. You’re also more likely to be less genuine because of your effort to use impressive words.

The most powerful words you an use are specific, vibrant nouns and adjectives and active verbs. (Plus the word “you.”) These paint word pictures that energize you and your audience.

The better you’ve gotten to know your audience before you start the speaking process, the easier it is to choose those words, examples, etc., that will make them listen, take notice–and act.

“Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.” Aesop

Myth #14 Preparation is the key to not being nervous

Preparation is good. I don’t deny that. And if you had time to prepare and you didn’t, you ought to be nervous. However, I’ve seen many who were prepared and still nervous. So there must be something else.

Can you relate to the concept of not focusing as you prepare? You can prepare for weeks and never focus. It’s pretty much busy work when you do it this way. Without the focus, what you have is a lot of material but no grasp of your message.

Tips: You can help yourself by doing the following: 1. Allow yourself to spend no time worrying about your presentation; think about it only when you’re actually going to work on it. 2. Before you start preparing, be clear on why you’re speaking and what you want to accomplish. 3. While you’re preparing, focus on nothing else.

Preparation is good, but focus is the key to an effective and less stressful preparation. And the result is you’re engaged with your material and clear on your message. And now you’re on the track to not being nervous.

Myth #12 “There’s a big difference between an after dinner speech, a technical presentation and a sales presentation.”

It’s true, there is a difference, but the difference is because your audience is different, not because of a difference in the process you go through. You ask yourself the same questions before starting to organize your thoughts, and the difference will be in your answers–not in the process.

You’re still going to ask yourself: Who am I talking to? What am I talking about? And, why? (That is, what is the outcome I’m looking for? What do I want to accomplish?)

Those questions don’t change regardless of whether it’s a presentation to the board of directors, a presentation to a client, or a relaxed evening with your organization.

The answers change, and that makes the difference. Is it data they’ll use in their project, or information that will guide them through the choice of HMOs? Are you selling to a client, or covering your department’s quarterly progress? Lightening the mood of the evening, or conveying appreciation for a job well done?

Those answers will be your guide as you decide how much or little detail to include, what types of examples and backup data to use, and an appropriate way to get your audience to listen (your opening) and to respond appropriately to your message (your close).

The end product may vary widely, but it’s still the same process: what am I talking about, who am I talking to and what do I want to accomplish?

Never worry about a presentation

Worrying is counterproductive and makes you more nervous, so don’t waste any time worrying. Either work on your presentation (focusing only on your presentation), or work on whatever is the most important thing on your list (focusing only on that thing).

If you aren’t actually going to work on the presentation, you’re just distracting yourself from whatever you should be doing and making yourself more nervous.

Worrying won’t improve your presentation, so don’t allow it. Know what you want to accomplish and ideas will come to you in the meantime. You’ll be less nervous and give a better presentation if you won’t let yourelf worry. You can do it because you can choose what to think.

Commercials can help you organize your speech

You can learn a lot about speaking from watching commercials. For instance, a General Motors commercial featuring chairman Edward Whittaker Jr. uses a timeless method for getting naysayers to listen to another point of view.

This is my version of what he said (having only seen it once). “I’m Ed Whitacre, the new chairman of GM and I admit I had some doubts probably a lot like you.” Then he goes on to say that after looking into it he changed his mind. He got specific about what changed his mind and why as he walked through an auto factory –illustrating the points he was making.

It’s a classic technique and it can work for you, too. If it’s the truth, it’s easy to identify with your audience’s disbelief or disagreement with your point of view by telling them what you originally believed. Connect it to them and let them know what changed your mind. And eventually you get to the point where you’re asking them for the sale, asking for them to agree with you, or to do something you’re asking.

Commercials can be a great source of education in your speaking career if you can quit skipping them and pay attention to their lessons.

You can prepare and still be nervous

Preparing for a presentation is a good thing, but it doesn’t always get rid of nervousness. I’ve worked with hundreds of people who were nervous even though they had spent a lot of time preparing. The reason: You can prepare for weeks and never focus. Because you’re staying on the surface of your material, you’re not really absorbing your message. Therefore, you’re worried about knowing it and are nervous.

The key: Focus during your prep time. You’ll save valuable time and alleviate your nervousness–because you’re actually clear on your message.