How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Learn, Learn

Techniques > Public speaking > Preparing Yourself > Learn, Learn

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

If you are going to be doing a presentation, make sure you study the subject well. Read recent articles and related items. Also learn from people who may be able to give you useful information.

It can also be a good idea to learn about the people to whom you are speaking, including their professional context and the issues that are facing them at the moment.

If you want to be a regular presenter or speaker, then you should make learning a habit, studying the subject in depth and always keeping up to date.

Example

I am going to speak on recruiting and assessment, so I order a few popular books on the subject to read. I review recent academic papers. I look through current job adverts and talk to a recruiter friend. With this information I put together the speech. Enjoying the subject and wanting to talk more about it, I decide to take a professional qualification in the subject.

Discussion

When speaking, especially when there is an informing or teaching aspect to your talk, your audience will expect you to be knowledgeable in your subject. This is important both so you can convey accurate information and also simply so the audience are more likely to believe what you say.

Being knowledgeable also has a significant impact on your confidence. If you know the subject well and know the people to whom you are talking, then you can give a useful speech and cope well with questions. Just knowing you are ready is always a bib boost.

Learning over time is best done as a habit, where you regularly spend time reading, discussing and otherwise acquiring information. It can also be helpful if you keep an archive you can quickly access. Summarising information (as on this website!) can also be very helpful.