" + quoteList[ argument % quotes ] + "
"); if ( (argument > 0) || (argument < intervalsSinceStart) ) { document.write(''); // If not first quote, write a link to previous quote if (argument > 0) { document.write( 'Previous tip' ); if (argument < intervalsSinceStart) document.write( ' • ' ); } // If not last quote, write a link to next quote if (argument < intervalsSinceStart) document.write( 'Next tip' ); document.write('
'); } } // List of quotes to be presented one at a time addQuote("Even if you rarely speak in front of an audience with a microphone in hand, you present yourself every day. Life is a presentation!"); addQuote("Find out how your audience will be dressed, and dress one notch above. Give your shoes an extra shine or wear a flower in your lapel."); addQuote("Get to the event early so that you can meet your audience ahead of time. This way, you'll have the good feeling of speaking to friends instead of strangers."); addQuote("If you're nervous, remind yourself that your message will help others. That's more important than a few butterflies, isn't it?"); addQuote("Is it OK to "talk with your hands"? Yes, as long as your hands match your words and help the listener understand your message."); addQuote("To manage nervousness, practice liking and respecting your audience ahead of time. "I like and respect the people I'm about to meet.""); addQuote("Start your presentation with a brief story, a provocative question, or a startling statement. These will capture people's attention."); addQuote("When an audience member asks a question, repeat it to everyone and respond to everyone. Then thank the person who asked the question. "Thank you for your contribution.""); addQuote("Avoid memorizing and over-rehearsing your presentation. You know what you're talking about! Memorizing can be dangerous. Make a simple outline and speak from the heart."); addQuote("Empty your pockets before you speak. You don't want unsightly and noisy bulges."); addQuote("Control how you are introduced. Send your own written introduction ahead of time, and bring an extra copy with you."); addQuote("If you speak in a monotone voice, people's attention will wander. Develop vocal variety — in pitch, pace, volume, and tone."); addQuote("End on time. Even if you give a great presentation, it will become less and less great, each moment that you keep people overtime."); addQuote("If you ask for questions from the audience, give people time to think before you give up on them (five seconds, at least). Still no questions? Supply one!"); addQuote("Casual attire is appropriate if your presentation is held at an island resort, but make sure that your outfit is neat, clean, and fits well. You still need to look professional."); addQuote("On the day of your presentation, tell yourself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone-it — people like me!""); addQuote("Even if you were given a good introduction, you should still refer to your credentials from time to time, so that you are seen as an expert in your field. But be humble, not a braggart."); addQuote("Customize your presentation. Learn about your audience's special concerns or accomplishments, and refer to them during your presentation."); addQuote("Say what you see. "I see that I've confused some of you. Let me say that another way." Or, "I see that you agree with what I said. I'm glad!" This shows that you're reading your audience."); addQuote("There's no such thing as a boring topic. But there are bored speakers. Love your topic!"); addQuote("Match your energy level to the energy of your audience. Then rev it up."); addQuote("Instead of speaking in generalities, be specific. Give one or two examples for each point you make. Paint pictures in your listeners' minds."); addQuote("After you say something of particular importance, pause for three or four seconds. This allows your message to sink in. Make eye contact with at least two people while you pause."); addQuote("Clarify your purpose before you begin. Do you intend to inform, instruct, motivate, or entertain? Your purpose will guide your content and style of delivery."); addQuote("Before you begin to speak, pause, center yourself, and look at people. Think of yourself as a professional driver. A driver doesn't set foot on the board before getting fully present."); addQuote("If your presentation is longer than 20 minutes, give the audience an idea of what to expect. "First I'll talk about the benefits of public speaking, then how to control nervousness, and then we'll do a simple speaking exercise.""); addQuote("If you're giving a power point presentation, dim the lights only slightly. Otherwise, you encourage "nap time." Avoid turning your back to the audience and reading your material. Boring!"); addQuote("Make eye contact with as many people as you can, 2 - 3 seconds per person. Avoid scanning the room. Move randomly from person to person."); addQuote("Spare your audience the boredom of being read to. Instead, make your presentation a controlled conversation. Involve people by asking questions."); addQuote("Your audience members will wonder, "What's in it for me?" Tell them how your message will benefit them. They'll be better listeners."); addQuote("Allow a ten-minute break every hour. Otherwise, people stop listening and learning."); addQuote("If the event includes a meal, speak only when people have finished eating. This honors them, the food, you, and your message."); addQuote("Avoid canned jokes at the beginning of your presentation. The best humor is spontaneous."); addQuote("If you have handout materials, consider providing them at the end of your talk. Otherwise, people's attention will be divided."); addQuote("Learn how to hold the microphone. Hold it six inches away from your face. When you move your head, move the microphone along with it."); addQuote("Your audience will like you more if you share yourself. Tell one or two relevant stories about mistakes you made in your early days before you became an expert. Then, to cement your credibility, mention a recent success."); addQuote("Be the steward of the space. Do all that you can to ensure that your audience is physically, mentally, and emotionally comfortable. People will somehow blame you if they are uncomfortable."); addQuote("After you speak, be the last person to leave the room. Demonstrate that you are available to your audience."); addQuote("To be trustworthy to your audience, your body language, voice, words, and image must blend harmoniously."); addQuote("Illustrate your points with brief stories. Stories draw people in. After telling your story, say, "The point of this story is . . .""); addQuote("Nervous? Find the friendliest faces and speak to them. Then venture out to others, and return to those friendly people!"); addQuote("Feedback is the breakfast of champions. Ask for feedback and say "Thank you" when you get it."); addQuote("If someone asks you a hostile question, repeat it to the group in a neutral tone and respond to the group — not to the hostile person. Then find a sincere way to thank the person who asked the question."); addQuote("To get people on-board, ask a hands-up question that most will respond to. "How many of you must speak to groups from time to time?""); addQuote("If the stated agenda has gone over-time, you will be the hero if you offer to shorten your presentation so that people can leave on time. No one is likely to know what you omitted from your presentation."); addQuote("If your presentation is on power point, include mostly photos and other images. Avoid saying, "I know you can't read this, but . . .""); addQuote("If someone arrives late to a small group setting, welcome him and say, "We were just talking about . . ." If you ignore a latecomer, he will continue to be a distraction."); addQuote("If people ask too many questions, and you fear that you might not finish on time, say, "I'm glad that you're all so interested! I have time for one more question.""); addQuote("To get people's attention, ask rhetorical questions. "How many of you are nervous about speaking in public? Most of us are!""); addQuote("Your image makes an instant and lasting impression. Be sure that all the details are perfect. Polished shoes, neat collar, emptied pockets, and a sincere smile!"); addQuote("Speak out at meetings. Even if you're not on the agenda, offer a question or an observation. You will seem confident and leader-like when you participate."); addQuote("If you're speaking to an after-lunch group, think of a way to get people to talk to each other in pairs or small groups. This will boost the energy level and prevent dozing."); addQuote("When you're finished speaking, don't rush off to the safety of your chair. Pause for a moment, then leave the stage in a dignified manner."); addQuote("If you insist on holding index cards, at least make sure they match your outfit!"); addQuote("If you give the same presentation frequently, keep yourself interested by using new (and recent) anecdotes."); addQuote("When audience members respond to your questions, find something to agree with. Otherwise, they will fall silent."); addQuote("If someone in your audience is an expert in your field, instead of feeling threatened, use that person. "We are fortunate to have So-and-So here today! I'm sure she'll have something to contribute.""); addQuote("Release control. If you realize that you're on the wrong track, ask questions to learn more about your audience, and then adjust your approach."); addQuote("If your mind goes blank, ask for help. "Where was I?" Almost always, someone will prompt you. If no one does, just move on to your next point. (It happens to everyone.)"); addQuote("If you want to appear approachable, wear a pastel color near your face. If you want to appear serious, wear "power colors" – black, navy, gray. Add a touch of color with a tie or scarf."); addQuote("The most important quality to exude is likeability. The next most important is credibility."); addQuote("The best speakers speak without notes. If you read your presentation, your credibility will be zero."); addQuote("Confident speakers allow time for questions. People who lack confidence don’t allow time, fearing that they will be caught off-guard."); addQuote("Your audience wants to participate, but won’t unless you let them. Get them involved by asking questions."); addQuote("If you want to stop saying “um” between phrases, get someone to count them, and pay $1.00 per “um.” You’ll quit in no time!"); addQuote("Instead of cowering behind the lectern, come out and be visible! You can turn the lectern sideways if you need a place for your outline."); addQuote("End your presentation with a call for action. Tell people what to do next, so that your presentation has lasting results."); addQuote("What to wear to an interview? Spy on the employees ahead of time, and dress one notch above."); addQuote("An interview is a presentation. After you sit down, have pen and pad in hand. Some employers hire only people who do this."); addQuote("Unless you’re teaching people how to fill out forms, give handouts only at the end of your presentation. Otherwise, people’s attention will be divided."); addQuote("Receive personalized one-on-one coaching from afar. Click a link to find out how!"); addQuote("Film yourself speaking on video and send me a DVD. You can easily fine-tune your presentation by receiving feedback this way."); addQuote("Order my $15.00 eBook, Life is a Presentation. What an inexpensive way to learn! This investment could be worth a promotion, a raise, and more opportunities."); addQuote("Speakers who make the most impact do not use only power point or read a script. They speak confidently about a topic they know and love."); addQuote("How many more people could you help if you could speak to 50 people at a time, instead of having 50 separate meetings?"); addQuote("A successful presentation is only one attitude away: “My message will help people!”"); addQuote("If you insist on holding index cards, at least make sure they match your outfit."); addQuote("Your audience can tell if you’re reciting memorized material. It sounds state. Follow a brief outline, and talk with us!"); addQuote("Keep people on your side by showing that you’re on their side."); addQuote("“The genius who can’t communicate is at the mercy of the dunce who can.” Anon"); addQuote("When you can capture the attention of a group of teen-agers, you have become a master. Ask me how!"); addQuote("Men who wear pale pink dress shirts are attractive to women. Only a totally confident man would wear one! Confidence is irresistible."); addQuote("Women notice men’s socks. Wear socks with a subtle conservative pattern. This shows that you take pride in your appearance and care about details."); addQuote("Women should wear solid colors and employ The Power of Three: a skirt, a shirt, a jacket. A dress, a noticeable belt, a scarf. Three distinct elements create a sense of solidity. "); addQuote("If you’re providing a specific number of points, tell the audience how many there will be. This allows people to “reserve” the appropriate space in their minds. “I have 7 points to share. Here is point #1.”"); addQuote("If you ask for questions from the audience, wait at least 5 seconds. If you are met with silence, say “A question I’m often asked is . . . ” Then answer it. This will stimulate the group. "); addQuote("Use punctuation marks while speaking, just as you do in writing. Question marks, colons, dashes, periods, parentheses, and commas can be heard, and command attention."); addQuote("Follow the 50-minute rule. The ability to absorb information wanes after 50 minutes. Provide a five or ten-minute break every 50 minutes."); addQuote("If you can answer an irrelevant question briefly, do so. Otherwise offer to talk with that person after the presentation. And no fair bolting! You must show that you were sincere."); addQuote("Standing behind a lectern is like standing behind a coffin. It prevents connection with your audience. If you need a place for your notes, turn the lectern sideways and be fully visible."); // Write selected quote writeQuote();