Rebecca has recently led several sessions for clients who want to build "Brand Ambassadors" to go out and speak on behalf of their organizations.

The sessions focus on presentation skills and helping presenters learn to tell their stories, while tying their story to the organization or a community need.

To help the next time you have a presentation to deliver, this issue of PR Matters gives you "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Presenters."

If you are interested in organizing a session for your group, please visit Brand Ambassador Training for more details.

Enjoy!

Rebecca's Seven Habits of Highly Effective Presenters

1.) Think Like a Boy Scout
Don’t fail because you weren’t prepared. Practice may not make you perfect (forget perfection!) but it will make you a whole lot better. Speaking effectively requires practice...plan to spend six hours preparing for every hour of your speech (6:1 ratio).

Know you’ll be most nervous at the beginning so memorize a three sentence opening. Also know your closing by heart so you end persuasively.

2.) Arrive Early
Check out to the room where you'll be speaking as early as possible so you can make sure your equipment works, as well as looking at lighting and seating options and getting comfortable in the environment. Walk around the area where you will be speaking, so your first time there isn’t for the presentation.

Shake hands with as many audience members as you can so you’ll have plenty of fans in the audience!

3.) Bring on the Jitters
You're waiting for your presentation to start, when all of a sudden you realize your mind is going blank...and your stomach is working overtime. That little voice inside your head is saying…how did I get myself into this mess?

The key is making those jitters work in your favor and performing despite the nervousness. Transform fear into courage by imagining all that adrenaline giving you the winning edge you need to deliver an excellent talk.

If that doesn’t help, just remember: it usually gets easier every time.

4.) Establish Why You...Why Now...
Prepare a 150-word introduction and bring a copy with you (even if you’ve already sent it to your contact ahead of time). Use the intro to establish why you are the right person to address the group. NOTE: In our Brand Ambassador sessions, attendees leave with a completed introduction.

5.) Connect Early and Often
Ask for comments or raised hands that initiate a positive response as quickly as possible. The sooner you can get a positive response, the quicker your nerves will fade away.

Don’t forget to tell YOUR story. People will forget many of your points but they won’t forget your stories. That’s because stories engage both hemispheres of the brain, and connect the head and the heart.

6.) Three Points of Eye Contact
When presenting to groups of more than 20 people, maintain three eye contact points—neutral or friendly faces are best.

If you are sitting at a table with a small group of people, make sure you share eye contact with everyone. Why? The longer your eye contact, the more influence and self-esteem you are perceived to have.

7.) Finish Strong
Four key points to remember:
• People are often really saying "What about me?" when they ask a question.
• Opinions may be based more on how you answer their question than on what you say.
• When you call for questions, count to 10 before assuming no one will ask.
• It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” If you’re asked a question you don’t know the answer to, please write down the person’s name and question and then follow-up with an answer.

Conclude the Q-and-A period with a summary. Don’t let the presentation close on a down note of: “Well, I guess we’re done if there are no more questions.”

Finish strong with a call to action that will leave your audience ready to act.

Hart & Partners News

Rebecca continues to chair the University of Florida's PR Advisory Council Work/Life Balance Committee. The committee led two panel discussions at the most recent meeting.

One of the panels, coordinated by committee member Joe Curley, featured speakers from NASA, Disney, ITT Corp and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. The panel was moderated by Mickey Nall, Managing Director of Ogilvy PR in Atlanta. View Webcast from University of Florida

Other recent speaking engagements have included:

Flagler College's Communications Week
"Using Media Interview Techniques to Land a Great Job"

Association of Fundraising Professionals--North Florida Chapter
"Communicating with Volunteers: A Few Ingredients for Success"

IABC North Florida Chapter
"Getting your Groove Back: Learning to Balance your Work and Life"

Also, for those of you who are following what's going on with my brother, who recently served his second tour of duty in Iraq...we are so happy to report he is home safe and sound.
View Desert Diary website

Finally, on the family front, we have enjoyed fun vacations to the Bahamas, Breckenridge and Ginnie Springs (the last two despite Jacob's broken arm).

We even made The Family Traveler's Newsletter! (scroll down to the bottom to see a photo of Jacob and Alex before our dog sledding adventure). View More Photos

Let's Stay in Touch!

To make sure you continue receiving our newsletters (and that they don't go to your bulk or junk folders), please add onlineservice@hartandpartners.com to your email address book.

Quote

"Whatever the job you are asked to do at whatever level, do a good job because your reputation is your resume."

Madeleine Albright (1937 - )
former U.S. Secretary of State

Until next time,

Rebecca Hart, APR
President, Hart & Partners

Comments and questions may be directed to info@hartandpartners.com.
Or you can call anytime: (904) 246-7351.