The 80-20 Rule for Public Speaking

News

We've just introduced a new feature so that you can contribute to the public speaking community! Contribute by sharing stories and opinions about:

• Barack Obama's Speeches
• Funny Public Speaking Stories
• Funny Wedding Speech Stories
• Public Speaking Photos
• Guest Articles

80-20 Public Speaking

The 80-20 rule is one of the most talked-about principles today. Also called Pareto's Principle, it states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. 20% of the people do 80% of the work. (You've probably realized that in your own life when you've had to pick up the slack for someone!)

Pareto's Principle is especially important for public speaking.

Have you ever heard a speech that's all fluff and no content? That's a speech on the wrong side of the 80-20 rule: most of it isn't in the productive 20%.

Here are three ways to use the 80-20 rule to improve your public speaking.

• After writing a speech, cut out the ineffective 80%. Ok, maybe don't cut 80% of your speech. But figure out what really matters, then trash the rest.
• Give 80% planned, 20% impromptu. Use the 80-20 rule to avoid being dull and boring. Write out 80% of your speech, but leave 20% of it for some spontaneous off-the-cuff. Stories work especially well for the unplanned 20%.
• 80-20 audience analysis. 20% of your audience will have an especial need for your speech. Target them.

--- Quote of the Week

"There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave" (attributed to Dale Carnegie)

Are you improving your public speaking in order to improve you business? Public speaking is an essential skill that translates to every area of life - even website creation! No matter what your particular skills are, public speaking or otherwise, you can turn your skills into a successful internet business. It takes time, but if you learn the right skills, it works (this website and ezine are examples of that!). To learn more, check out Tom Antion's Electronic Marketing for Speakers. This is a sales page, but his techniques work - I should know, because I use them on my website!

Happy Speaking,

Devin

P.S. If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward" by passing this email along.

If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting Speech-Time.com.

P.P.S. Public speaking is my profession, enabled by Speech-Time.com. To find out how you can do the same and make your passion your profession, visit my About Us web page.