165 - Can I Present for 20 Minutes Without Notes?

Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson: communication coaching for humble leaders

“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.