“Is it realistic to do a 20 minute speech without notes?”, that’s the question I’m asking in this week’s Speaking with Confidence podcast.

It’s a myth that we need to memorise our speeches, and it’s also a risk to take a stage with a script or highly detailed notes. The more details in our notes the more we’re looking at the lectern, instead of connecting with our audience.

Regular listeners will be familiar with my ‘post-it note’ method, where I encourage the use of a handful of post-its to keep you on track and on message, while giving you space to flow with your presentation.

Listen in to hear my answer to Sharon’s question, including:

• Why saying LESS really is more

• How to use your time in a 20 minute presentation

• Why what you say at the end of your presentation is actually more important than what you say in the middle

• Why it’s actually a mistake to focus on your content, and what you want to focus on instead

• How to craft a presentation that connects with your audience, delivers your key messages well and keeps it all focused for maximum impact

Register for my Elevator Pitch Practise Session here.

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To learn more about my post-it note method, listen to episode 74 - The Powerful Frame Your Thinking Method.

And to learn more about the power of ‘cropping’ your message, listen to episode 85 - Cropping for Focus and Impact.

I was recently asked this question:

“How to engage the audience? I love watching speakers who engage the crowd but don't put people on the spot?’

Putting people on the spot is NOT an engagement technique and it can often have negative impacts on the audience.

So, in this week’s episode I’m sharing my top tips for engaging your audience without singling people out, or putting them on the spot.

Listen in to hear:

• How to build rapport and engagement in your opening statements

• My technique for asking questions that your audience WANTS to respond to

• Important body language and hand gestures that invite responses (for both stage and online conversations)

• How to phrase your questions to elicit audience responses

• How to build engagement momentum

Curious about my Impact Club, the collective for humble leaders? See if it’s for you, here.

Have a question you’d like to ask me? Chat with me here on Instagram.

That episode about your opening 2 questions? Episode 163 - How to make my audience relax (it’s the episode immediately before this one!)

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson I’m answering another community question: “How can I make my audience relax, and maybe even laugh 😅?”

This is such an insightful question … if your audience isn’t relaxed they’re not going to be open to what you have to say.

Listen in to hear:

• My simple technique that you can use in your opening 2 lines to build rapport with your audience and therefore put their minds at ease

• Why some simple housekeeping announcements can be really powerful when it comes to putting your audience at ease

• My tips for making your audience laugh (and no, it’s not bad dad jokes)

• Why you need to relax, yourself, if you want your audience to relax

Want to join my FREE SpeakEASY elevator pitch practise session? Register here.

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Have a question you’d like me to answer? Ask me here.