A relationship between speaking and business cards?

How is that? A presentation or speech always requires a message or premise. Ever heard a speaker ramble on and on, while you were wondering to yourself: What is the point? What is the message? It is not the audience's job to be confused about the premise of your message; that is your job to state it clearly and upfront early in your speech.

How does a speaker do that? In the planning of your presentation, KNOW what your message is. A 15 - 18 word premise is too long. Make it fit into a business card. Consequently, the business card rule!

How does a speaker write and state a premise? It needs to be written and stated in a way that makes the audience ask themselves: Why or how?

To what does the premise lead? It always leads to your talking points, depending on allotted time: 3-5 points.

Order of Presentation
Opening: i.e., "It may interest you to know..." or use a quote, or a statistic or a brief personal story.
Premise: i.e., "In the next ___ minutes, you will discover ways to ____________."
Audience thinks: How? Why?
Body: points and examples of; results of; reasons for; Q &A?... all relating to premise
Conclusion: recap of main points; relate to opening; call to action

This month, I challenge you to use the "Business Card Rule" in your presentations by knowing your exact messagecreating clarity in your audience's minds.

I invite you next month when we discuss: "Communication is Connection" to enhance YOUR speaking skills.