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Pick a group with a strong publicity person. Someone who regularly gets speakers listed in the local media and on the group’s web site. Contact her and say, “Hi! I’m going to be your August speaker, and I wondered if I could give you a photo and short bio.” (Do 52.) Copy articles for your files and add the information to your resume.

Most are very grateful for the assistance.

Outlining with Index Cards

When you outline your speech (Outline! Not a word-by-word document you’re going to read), use lined index cards. List more points than you will have time to make.

Here’s a magic trick that will make you very famous. On the back of an index card (as backup only), write the first sentence of each paragraph in your speech. Then memorize what you’ve just written. The rest will flow naturally.

Ten Tips for Speech Success

They are:

Tip 1: Practice with a Recording

Record an informal talk with a memorized beginning and close. It will give you a sense of pacing and let you know how much you need to practice.

Tip 2: Ask for a Podium

It’s a great place to stash your note cards. When you’re feeling confident, walk around, from one side of your audience to the other. Return to the podium when you need to. It’s your home base.

Tip 3: Speak with Confidence

Don’t worry about you and how nervous you are. Think about your audience and how you can help them with usable information.

Someone I know was told by a college speech professor that she would never be able to teach because she was too nervous. He gave her a B in the class anyway because her speeches were so well written. She took his advice and didn’t pursue a teaching career.

After becoming extremely successful in another field, she was able to shove aside her own fear and concentrate how she could help those in the audience. Today she is a highly rated (and paid) speaker.

Tip 4: Quote from Others

Quotes make you sound smart, and audiences love them. Mine have become known as “Jeff ’s Gems.”

Here are a few you are welcome to use as your own:

“Our business hours are seven A.M. to twelve midnight, seven days a week. I won’t apologize for waking you up if you won’t apologize for sleeping.” (Clients love after-hours calls. I’ve always done it. If you’re a professional, do it. In the “Dictionary of Success” impossible means untried.)

“Success isn’t due to knowledge, it’s due to activity.”

“If confused employers recruited like ones who knew who to hire, we’d have full employment.”

“You can’t see the movie from the outside of the theater.”

“Stop staying around people who have your problems and start staying around ones who have your solutions.”

“Motivation leaves, commitment stays.”

“The sun always shines—it all depends on where you’re standing.”

Thanks to the Internet, quotes are easier than ever to find. Sites even have quotes arranged by subject. Libraries are loaded with quotation books too.

Tip 5: Bring Handouts

This is an essential instant interview device. Include your bio and contact information at the bottom.

People love handouts. Keep them and refer to them. Refer to you too.

Tip 6: Consider a PowerPoint Presentation

If you are at all computer-literate (or know someone who is), a PowerPoint slide show will bring your presentation to the next level and give you great visual aids.

Tip 7: Ask Questions if Possible

If the audience is small enough, ask questions as you move through your talk. Listen carefully, and respond concisely.

Tip 8: Don’t Apologize for Not Being a Professional Speaker

You’re who you are. They’re there to learn, you’re there to teach.

Emerson’s famous quote is, “Do the thing and you’ll have the power.” He also said, “ Concentration is the secret of strength.” I like them, but I love, “The only gift is a portion of thyself.”

That’s what you’re giving!

No apologies.

Tip 9: Take Questions Before You Finish

Instead of saying, “Are there any questions?” and