knowledge

is for KNOWLEDGE

"Be authentic. Don't fake it. Talk about what you know about."

-Linnaea Mallette

Not sure where to begin? Try mind mapping your knowledge

I attended a presentation by Accredited Speaker Sheryl Roush. She shared with us her secret of gathering ideas for a talk - mind mapping!

She draws a big circle on a sheet of paper. She writes the topic or idea she has in the middle (like “jewelry”). She then writes everything she can think of relating to that topic ascending from the middle.

When she can no longer think of any additional items to add, she reviews her items and groups them into categories. (For jewelry she might have a category on types of jewels, another on purchasing jewelry, and another on romantic value of jewelry.)

By the time she’s done with her mind-mapping/brainstorming session, she has a few categories with 3-4 or more items under it. You guessed it, she picks one topic and then selects 3 of the items within the topic she believes are most relevant and begins to prepare her speech.

While she didn’t specifically mention this in her workshop, obviously she would choose categories that she finds interesting or knows about, will fit her audience, and fit her time limitations.

Reader's Digest, How to Write and Speak Better, offers the following on picking your subject matter:

Jot down what you already know about the subject. A good technique is to brainstorm.

Add to your information from newspapers, magazines, web resources, newsletters, and interviews with people involved in your subject.

Pick your structure (see "Format")

Pick your 3 main ideas/points

Streamline the material according to time allotment.

Enhance your credibility

"Purposely omit material that you know will evoke certain questions. When the questions come, give a preplanned answer that appears spontaneous. They’ll think you are a genius." - Tom Antion

If you don’t know the answer, don’t bluff. Offer to get the answer for them. -Toastmasters

"Prepare more content than you can use, and keep this extra material thoroughly organized and ready for backup duty. Then, if you’re asked to fill more time or your audience asks tough questions, you’re better prepared to answer without that sudden ‘uh-oh” feeling in the pit of your stomach." From: Business Presentations and Public Speaking (First Books for Business)