I was recently asked for advice by someone who's giving a presentation on himself--his background and experiences, how he arrived at his current position, what he's doing now--and here's how I responded:
• When it comes to telling our own stories (as opposed to giving a presentation on some other subject), we tend to assume that we know it cold because we've lived it, so we wing it, which leads to rambling. I wouldn't memorize a text, but I'd map out the themes I want to address, and then I'd practice talking with a timer. Get a sense of the rhythym and the pace that feels right to you. Make the most of the time available to you, while insuring that you don't run long.
• We also rely too heavily on chronology, which is the obvious way to tell a mini-biography, but not necessarily the most powerful way. Is there another lens you could put on your experiences? Can you create a narrative with a little drama, rather than simply reciting facts as though you were reading your resume?
• Resist the temptation to include too many details. Think bigger. Talk about the why, and not just the what and the when. Help people understand who you are and not simply what you've done.
• I find it helpful to speak slightly slower than I think I should. Even when I'm not nervous, I tend to speed up when speaking publicly because I'm so eager to get my message out. Slowing down calms me, helps my audience, and gives my words a little more power.
• And if you do have any nervousness as a public speaker, this post on Stagefright and Public Speaking from last year might be helpful.
• Finally, I often refer to R. Todd Stephens' Top Ten Speaking Tips, which I've found helpful over the years.
On an entirely separate note, if the post title rings a bell...
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