• • Start with an Engaging Question or Scenario:
• • "Have you ever felt like you were speaking a different language than the person you were talking to? In public speaking, that disconnect can be the difference between a message that resonates and one that falls flat."
  • "Imagine pouring your heart and soul into crafting a presentation, only to see blank stares or disengaged faces. What went wrong? Often, the answer lies in not truly knowing your stuff and who you're talking to."
• Introduce the Core Concepts: Clearly state the importance of both topic selection and audience analysis as the bedrock of effective public speaking.
• State Your Goal for the Session or Lesson or Sermon: "Today, we'll explore how to choose topics that ignite your passion and how to deeply understand your audience so that your message not only reaches them but truly connects."
• Briefly Outline What You'll Cover: Like here we will discuss strategies for finding compelling topics and methods for in-depth audience analysis.

Part 1: Igniting Your Passion - The Art of Topic Selection

• The Power of Personal Connection:
• • The most engaging speeches often stem from genuine interest and passion. When you care about your topic, that enthusiasm becomes contagious. It infuses your delivery and captivates your audience.
  • Encourage introspection from your audience - "What keeps you up at night? What sparks your curiosity? What could you talk about for hours without getting bored?"
  • You can share examples of compelling speeches that were born from personal experiences or deep interests. (Like w me, just a few topics I have spoke on - is being a christian wife, a homeschooling mom, a cops wife, a widow, losing a baby, having a child go thru cancer, caring for a parent - and many more - these are just a few personal things, then many topics in the corporate world as well, like started a business and leaving a Fortune 500 company in accounting after 10 years to become a full time mommy….
• Brainstorming Strategies:
• • Introduce practical techniques like mind mapping, freewriting, and news/current events review to generate topic ideas. "Don't censor yourself in the initial stages. Let the ideas flow freely. You can refine things later."
  • Things like - exploring hobbies, academic interests, professional experiences, and social issues as potential sources, you can entertwine these things into your speech to make it relatable.
• Considering the Speaking Context:
• • Align your topic with the assignment guidelines, time constraints, and overall purpose of the speech/talk/lesson. "Your passion needs to intersect with the requirements of the speaking situation."
  • Different contexts (e.g., informative, persuasive, celebratory) might influence topic selection.
• Narrowing Your Focus:
• • Refine broad topics into manageable and specific speech topics. "A focused topic allows for deeper exploration and a clearer message."
  • Narrow down a topic (e.g., from "climate change" to "the impact of single-use plastics on local waterways").
• The "So What?" Factor:
• • Consider the relevance and significance of your chosen topic for yourself and your audience. -Why should they care? What value will they gain from listening? Will they fall asleep while you are preaching/teaching?

Part 2: Unlocking Your Audience - The Science of Audience Analysis

• Why Audience Analysis Matters:
• • A speaker's message is always filtered through the listeners' perspectives - Your words aren't just heard; they're interpreted based on individual experiences, beliefs, and knowledge.
  • Understanding your audience minimizes the risk of miscommunication and maximizes connection.
• Key Audience Factors to Consider:
• • Demographics: Consider age, gender, cultural background, education level, and socioeconomic status - While avoiding stereotypes, understanding general demographic trends can inform your approach.
  • Psychographics: Understand values, beliefs, attitudes, interests, and needs - What motivates them? What are their concerns? .....

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Start with a Hook: Begin with a captivating story, a surprising statistic, or a thought-provoking question about communication or influence. For example:

• • "Imagine a world where brilliant ideas remain unheard, where passionate pleas fall flat, where the power to connect and inspire is untapped. That world exists, but it doesn't have to be ours."
  • "Did you know that fear of public speaking consistently ranks higher than the fear of heights or even spiders for many people? Yet, within that very challenge lies an incredible opportunity."
• Introduce your Topic and Its Significance: Clearly state that the speech is about understanding the foundational power of public speaking. Emphasize that it's not just about giving presentations, but about effective communication in its broadest sense.
• State the Purpose (Your Goal for the Audience): Let the audience know what you hope they will gain from this session. For example: "My aim today is to illuminate why public speaking is a vital skill in all aspects of life and to ignite your belief in your own potential to become a powerful communicator."
• Briefly Outline What You'll Cover: Give a roadmap of the key areas you'll touch upon.

Why Public Speaking Matters

• Personal Growth and Empowerment:
• • Building Confidence: Share examples of how conquering the fear of public speaking can translate to increased self-assurance in other areas of life. "Each time you speak up, you're not just delivering a message; you're building a muscle of confidence that will serve you in every interaction."
  • Developing Critical Thinking: Explain how preparing a speech requires analyzing information, structuring arguments, and thinking on your feet, thereby sharpening cognitive skills.
  • Finding Your Voice: Emphasize that public speaking provides a platform to share unique perspectives, passions, and ideas, allowing individuals to truly be heard. "Your experiences, your insights – they matter. Public speaking is about finding the courage to share them."
• Professional Advancement and Leadership:
• • Effective Communication in the Workplace: Highlight how clear and persuasive communication is essential for teamwork, presentations, leadership roles, and career progression. "In the professional landscape, your ability to articulate your ideas effectively can be the key differentiator."
  • Influencing and Persuading: Discuss how public speaking skills are crucial for influencing stakeholders, selling ideas, and driving change. "Whether you're leading a team or proposing a new initiative, the power to persuade through your words is invaluable."
  • Building Your Network: Explain how speaking opportunities can connect you with new people, expand your professional circle, and create opportunities for collaboration.
• Civic Engagement and Making a Difference:
• • Advocating for Causes: Show how public speaking can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, mobilizing support, and advocating for issues you care about. "Your voice can be an instrument for change, amplifying important messages and inspiring action."
  • Community Involvement: Discuss how speaking at local events, meetings, or organizations can contribute to your community and foster connection.
  • Shaping Public Discourse: Emphasize the role of effective communication in shaping opinions and contributing to important societal conversations.

Building Initial Confidence

• Demystifying the Fear: Acknowledge that nervousness is normal and even experienced speakers feel it. Reframe it as energy rather than a negative force. "That flutter in your stomach? That's not fear; it's anticipation, it's energy waiting to be channeled."
• Focusing on the Message, Not Just Yourself: Shift the focus from personal anxieties to the value of the message being delivered. "When you truly believe in what you're saying, that passion becomes contagious and overshadows your nervousness."

Set a realistic goal: 100 front line associates is a big number. Break it down into smaller, more manageable goals. Aim for a certain number of sign-ups each month or week.

The most successful people - are people, people….Like when you talk to people just cuz you want to sign them up, people feel that. Now obviously if you want to sign people up - you have to talk to people. Lol but there is a difference - like this week - I had lunch/dinner w 3 different friends - that was purely building that relationship….now do they know what I do? Yes of course - and while I will also get together with people for coffee, lunch or dinner to present and sign them up, I can still get together with people to simply share a meal and conversations outside of network marketing too. You have to learn that balance.

One way I got 100 direct associates - was meeting with people. Now I stay busy with a retired husband and spending time with him and traveling with him, I watch 2 of my grandbabies a few days a week to help our son and his wife out…but I still find time in my schedule - and that is another thing - I do schedule it…I plan to meet with someone at least once a week purely for business, granted we may be friends and we talk personal stuff too, but they know I am meeting them for business and we are either meeting because they are already on my team and we are talking strategically to get them where they want, or we are meeting to sign them up on my team and see if we are a good fit for each other.

Identify your target audience: Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs and interests? Once you know your target audience, you can tailor your message to them. The biggest misconception is people looking for a sales person, or someone saying they are not a salesperson…..And everyone IS a salesperson! You sell your kids or your husband to eat their green beans, right? Ha! You are a sales person. You share with people what you know that can HELP them. You want people who are KIND, and you CARE for other people….those people will be your leaders on your team.

Another way is posting on my social media daily. I post about the product, I will post about the company, I will post about me winning an award or an incentive trip, or someone I signed up, or someone on my team that achieved a level. I will also post testimonials on my pages - whether it is about one of our products or a service, or even a testimonial about me or my personal business - testimonials and stories “sell” - I ask people for testimonials when I work with them, then I share those w others that follow me.

I add to my social media daily - I download my Facebook friends/followers list - I go thru at least 5-10 per day - like, comment on people’s pages to keep in touch/interact but also message people on their birthdays to keep in touch and keep relationships going….and if there is no reciprocal on the relationship - I remove to open for actual relationships. I look for new people to connect with often - I don’t just add people either - I look at their page, see the mutual friends, see their posts - if their posts align with me, or my way of thinking I will add them, same I am probably not going to sign up someone in my business if we don’t align on things - now that does’t mean everything - cuz we are not ever going to have that right - but we do have to align on many things, can still agree to disagree on others - but you want to build a business with people you also enjoy hanging out with - cuz you will at company events, trips etc

Every day I look for reasons to reach out to people. If it’s someone’s birthday, I reach out with a text or a private message on Facebook. I comment on people’s posts daily. I will often send them a private message depending on what they post. I commented on his post but also sent him a private message to congratulate him. My goal is to start conversations.

see the rest of the notes at https://LaurieDelk.me