1. TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE!

2. MAKE PEOPLE FEEL IMPORTANT!

3. PUT INTENTION BEHIND WHAT YOU SAY!

4. SPEAK WITH DETAILS!

5. PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGE!

6. FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS!

7. TELL THEM...SHOW THEM...INVOLVE THEM!

8. LISTEN WELL!

9. BE DELIBERATE!

10. HAVE FUN!

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE
To be convincing...be convinced. The easiest way to find natural conviction is to talk about what you love. Even people who aren't terrific "speakers" can be eloquent when they talk about what they truly love. When you talk about what you love you talk "from" what you love. This gives energy, detail, and force to whatever you are saying.

MAKE PEOPLE FEEL IMPORTANT
People want to feel seen and heard. Know what your audience needs and wants and speak to that. Assume everyone is an expert in unique ways and honor that. Be a "learner" as well as a "knower."

PUT INTENTION BEHIND WHAT YOU SAY
Ask yourself "what is most important about what I am saying--what do I really want to get across?" Let the answer focus your talk. Keep it in the back of your mind as you speak. Speak with purpose and momentum. Say less with more power.

SPEAK WITH DETAILS
Nothing draws attention like details. Speak in pictures -- involve all the senses--get people to see, hear and feel whatever you are saying. People remember what they experience. Draw pictures. If you "can't draw a straight line" and draw anyway--you give everyone permission to make mistakes and take risks. Do something poorly "well" (with confidence and humor) and you give everyone permission to go beyond themselves. Drawing is also a great way to get...keep... and direct attention. Use words, pictures, and physical objects to make your points.

PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGE
Know and use people's names. Tell personal stories. Plant success pictures in people's minds with stories about real people who have succeeded. Human interest stories are most interesting. Find out what someone does for fun, what he or she does well, who his or her heroes and "sheroes" are and include these in your talk.

FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS
Think in possibilities. Talk about victories and what works. Have people list and share victories and what works in their own lives. Track for success not failure. In any situation think "what did I like and what did I learn?" Realize bad experiences make great stories. Think "interesting" not "bad" and approach problems with an attitude of curiosity not criticism. You will be a lot more flexible and creative in your solutions. Attitude improves possibilities.

TELL THEM...SHOW THEM...INVOLVE THEM
People need to hear it, see it, and do it. Some people are primarily visual learners, some are mostly auditory, and some mostly kinesthetic. It is important to use all three modes when talking. Don't just say things but, whenever possible, show them and then get people to participate. Alternate between presenting an idea...illustrating it with a story or pictures... and having people do an activity or take action.

LISTEN WELL
Listening is magic. People want to feel seen and heard. If you have a disagreement with someone, state clearly and completely what you understand them to be saying. Make them "right" not wrong and speak from your own "I" messages. Oddly enough, if you just listen, without trying to help or "fix" things, people will think you are a great speaker. When speaking to large groups, constantly "read' the room. If people look inattentive really speak in pictures or stories or get them involved.

BE DELIBERATE
If you are in front of a group "claim your time." Don't be in a hurry. Remember to breathe and smile and stand up straight and take your time. Even if you "don't know what you are doing" you can pretend you do. If all else fails, be simple and honest.

HAVE FUN
This is, of course, one of the most important things. No matter what message you give-- YOU are the walking advertisement for it. Conveying a sense of fun in what you do is refreshing and convincing--"It must be a good idea you seem to be having fun." Naturally, not everything is "fun" but everything can be made a little more fun than it is. One way is to use humor. Use humor a lot. You don't have to be funny to see funny. Share funny articles, hang up funny pictures. Laughter floods the brain with oxygen, clears the mind, and focuses attention.

Have something to say and be yourself. In the end, people want to have fun and feel important. If you can accomplish both you will be a successful speaker. People want to know you care about what you are saying and about them. Add your own sense of humor and drama and you will be an unforgettable speaker.