Chixe

Gestures. Know when to use emphatic gestures and learn when not to.
Also, try not to sound overly formal. It's good to sound like you know what you're talking about, but try to make it sound extemporaneous. If you speak too formal, you'll end up focusing more on how you sound, than the message you're trying to deliver.

Good luck

Haha trust me, sounding formal isn't even a function in my brain.

Articulate your words well, mumbling and public speaking not good. Bar that make eye contact with audience or at least 'imagine that' if you can't see them as on stage. Just breathe out and in a few times before to focus yourself. Take your time and don't get manic about things, passion is good but focused passion better. Be yourself and that is the best type of speaker.

I find doing something like the breathing before go on 'stage' helps. I am a nervous speaker but had managed to combat this to the point people assume I am not nervous - I say had as not done in a while. Crib notes are good and nobody is going to shoot you if have, just look up and make contact along with referring to them. Above all enjoy it and people will also enjoy it with you.

Don't say 'um' a billion times. If you need to pause, that's fine, but don't try to fill the gap with nothing words like that!

The way that's easiest for me is to be somewhat conversational. Come in believing in what you're going to be talking about, with a goal of helping the people that are attending to understand it and get value out of it. It's much easier for me to take the stance of educator than salesman--even if I AM selling something.

I always do a practice run - in front of a mirror if possible. Out loud. Hearing the words prompts me to find parts I'd like to improve.

30-60 minutes is a long time to speak so I would probably wind down at 30-40 minutes and allow people to ask questions or engage the audience in some discussion about social sites/communities. I would think of some ways to engage the audience so it's not me talking the entire time - considering the theme of the event. :)

Piece of advice: if you can get there a little early and talk to people in the audience. That way it's sort of like you're continuing a conversation and you might not be nervous.

Yeah that's one hell of a lot of time to keep speaking!

I suck at public speaking and I've got no real experience at what you're doing but just remember you talk about 50% faster than you think you're talking. You do need to consciously slow yourself down, put some extra emphasis on your words.

The getting over the nerves part is the hardest but just remember that they've come to see you, not the other way around, so remember that if you suck, you're letting *SO* many people dow....

AHEM...

Sorry I need to get out of my demotivational thought pattern... Where was I?

Yes. Remember that they're there to see you so try not to be intimidated by the crowd.

Definitely do as Tyme suggests and start off beforehand chatting to a few people... If you can get the mood of the people and see a few faces that you're addressing later on, you'll find the whole thing so much easier because it'll be more like talking to friends than a bunch of aggressive, nameless faces.

Along the same lines, I'd also suggest you start your talk with a good icebreaker. If it involves the audience, all the better. You'll settle in and they'll warm to you.

Because your bit is so long*, I'd also suggest sticking a couple more fun interactive parts throughout the talk -- but if you're doing this thing tonight, you haven't much time to prepare anything.

* that's what she said

Oh and a drink before you go might help things... Just don't drink so much you're slurring your words =)

And does anyone really use the "pretend the audience is naked" trick?

Often. But not for the benefit of my speaking.

As a conference organizer, don't go over the time limit. People would much rather you fall short (brevity is the soul of wit) than eat up their time.

If and when the same person keeps asking questions or you keep getting hit with inquiries, find a reasonable point to stop and let the audience know you'll be sticking around and would love to chat afterwards.

Humor always kicks ass, you know that.

Thought I'd mention: Scrivs has left the building lol. He's probably at the airport now. This is being videotaped so we'll get the chance to see it....and see if he followed our advice. :)

Ironically, the videotaping would make me more nervous than giving the speech.

I am now at the airport (god bless free WiFi) and reading your suggestions builds me with confidence that I could give the next State of the Union address and not sound any worse than Bush usually does.

I am now at the airport (god bless free WiFi) and reading your suggestions builds me with confidence that I could give the next State of the Union address and not sound any worse than Bush usually does.

I think you'd actively have to TRY to be as bad, or worse than GW. He may be many things, but a public speaker he's not.

Yes, Tyme, the videotaping would freeze me up instantaneously. I can teach machine quilting to groups of people, and talk about it all day long, but point a video camera at me and I'll just run the other way and forget everything I ever knew about any of it.

Scrivs, you will, I feel sure, be just fine up there. You're talking about what you know and love, after all. And how many "Scrivisms" could you actually come up with in under an hour anyway? ;)

One of the things I liked about Tim Ferriss's talk at SXSW was that at the very beginning of his talk, like a good essay, he outlined very briefly the main points he was going to hit on through the entire talk. And then, during the talk, he would revisit the points, just to remind you what he'll be saying and just clarify, "I'll expand on that later" if it's not specifically relevant to the subject at hand. Then, he actually expands on it. So, it feels like a build up. There's a climax.

Repetition is gold, but it needs to be insidious. Another good example of this are comedians. Chris Rock very often repeats the SAME PHRASE three times in a row with different inflections, and then repeat it again after the joke is through (case in point: "Off the Pole" -- see how many times he reiterates the same thing but it's just funnier and funnier).

Repetition also drives the point home. People's short term memories are shot. Make sure you have your main points and just drive that sucka home. :-)

It's extremely important to have fun. If you do that, you're golden!

Building in time for people to ask questions is also key.

I really like this tip.

Anyone sits there, watching and listening to you, just wanted a single kind of guy standing in front of them. They want that guy to be happy, brings joy, not boring, easy to be like, friendly, inspiring, motivating, and entertaining.

In one word, they only want that guy to be a successful guy speaking. And you, just wanted the exact same guy for your self.

So there you go, both you and your audience share the same projected guy. Both of you are in the same team.

This only left one meaning: As a team, you and your audience are friends.

So, talk to them as a friend. Everybody likes to talk to their friends. Go on, and talk to a group of friends. You'll be successful.

Good luck!

Remember to convey confidence early and often. The most important part of your talk are the first and last five minutes.

I do not wear my glasses and cannot see anyone at all but the first row! That way, it's a conversation between me and just a few people. I tell everyone this (I say I 'forgot my glasses') so don't raise your hand, I won't see it, but just talk out loud.