FROM PAPER TO PODIUM
KEYS TO UNLOCKING A GREAT TALK
1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone
serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Today we will talk about:
 Preparation – questions to ask to help organize your talk
 Practice – making sure your talk flows and timing is right
 Presentation – details that make a difference
 An outline to unlock your next talk!
THE BIG IDEA: Preparation and practice are the keys to a successful presentation!
THE FIRST KEY: PREPARATION
“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech!”
Mark Twain
Preparation Questions to consider:
1. Who? 2. What? 3. Where? 4. Why? 5. How?
1. Who? Who is your listener? Why are they there? How can you help them?
a. Know your listener. Design your talk to meet their needs. You are speaking to serve
them, not yourself. They want to know what you can do for them. Consider how to
inspire them to take action in response to your teaching. Prepare with your listener in
mind.
2. What?
a. What type of talk - Lecture, sermon, teaching on a topic, personal testimony, oration,
speech, devotional, demonstration, series (such as retreat talks), teaching a specific
curriculum, etc. (What have you been asked to speak about or teach?)
b. What is the purpose of the talk - What do you want your listener to be inspired to do
with the ideas you've shared? What action steps could they take?
c. What will you talk about if given your choice of topics?
Some possible topics:
Bible Application
Career
Children/Parenting
Christian
Character Development Contentment
Devotional
Discipleship
Diet/Nutrition
Divorce
Education
Emotions
Family
Finances
Grieving
Healing
Health
Hobbies
Home Schooling
Life Experiences
Marriage
Missions
Overcoming Difficulties
Other?
Personal Experience Prayer
Relationships
Self Esteem
Social Issues
Special needs/handicaps
Spiritual Growth
Stress
Struggles
Successes
Testimony
Theology
Witnessing
Women’s Issues
Worship
d. What is the BIG IDEA for your talk? What is the one idea you want to make sure sinks
in?
From Paper to Podium, Presented by Barb Miller, March 7, 2015, B.A.S.S. Convention
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3. Where? Where do you find resources for your talk*?
 Scripture
 Concordance, Commentaries, Biblegateway.com
 Yourself – experiences (past and present), opinions, hobbies, special skills, classes you
teach/take, writings from journals, dreams/longings, strong personal interests, and most
important, from lessons learned in the struggles of daily life.
 Your Family – Make use of familiar sayings, experiences, hobbies, skills, heirlooms,
problems, colorful history and personalities, and experiences solving/dealing with
relationship problems.
 Your Friends – activities and shared experiences, skills, distinctive points of view,
personalities, bits of insights, mentors.
 Your Church – people, activities, programs, projects, methods, sermons you’ve heard,
studies you’ve done.
 Your Career—experiences in jobs you’ve held—as a leader/boss/manager, etc.
 Your Community – This is a source of people, industries, public services, institutions,
historical events/places, organizations, social programs, landmarks, clubs and other
ventures of various sorts.
 The Media (newspapers, TV, radio, magazines, Internet, movies) – Essays, stories of human
interest, statistics, little-known facts, pictures, ads, jingles, cartoons, email stories.
 Misc. Sources – Books, conversations, Bible reading/study insights, vacation/travel
experiences, club/associations, conferences, seminars, scientific discoveries, current issues
of social concern, the contents of your purse, your people you meet, questions that pop into
your head, etc. chicken soup for the soul
(*From “An Introduction to Christian Writing, by Ethel Herr, Highland books, copyright 1999,
pgs. 92-93)
 Sermonillustrations.com
4. Why? Why are you giving this talk? What is your motivation? Why you?
a. You should speak to benefit the listener. This is the key motivation for giving any talk!
You are there to meet their needs and offer them your best. Communicate to connect.
When you show up with no other motive than to give of yourself so that your listener
will benefit, you come across in a very different way.
b. Why should anyone listen to your talk? What gives you the right/qualifies you to stand
before this audience? What are your credentials? The listener wants to know you can be
trusted and they want authenticity. People will listen when they feel you, the speaker,
are relating to them personally and value them. Speak from your heart and be real.
5. How? How do you organize a good talk?
A basic talk has three parts
1. An inspiring opening - This sets up your "BIG IDEA"
2. An informative middle – Gives supporting information points for your "BIG IDEA"
3. A strong ending - Restates your "BIG IDEA" and summarizes what you've said.
“Tell them what you’re going to say, say it, then tell them what you’ve said!”
From Paper to Podium, Presented by Barb Miller, March 7, 2015, B.A.S.S. Convention
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HOW?
First: The Inspiring Opening
Start your opening with a “hook” that sets up your "BIG IDEA" (It could even be your "BIG
IDEA" if that is the first thing you want them to hear.) The hook should connect your listener
with the "BIG IDEA," which should be included in this opening.
Hook suggestions:
 A quote, question, surprising fact or statistic
 A declarative statement (“The Happy Meal is a Lie”)
 A personal story that sets the stage for the rest of the talk
 A Scripture verse or story
 A film clip, poem, funny story or joke, a prop/s
 Analogies, Opposites, Pictures/Visuals
Second: The Informative Middle!
The next step in your talk is the middle or body of what you want to communicate. This is
where the details get shared, and it is the meat of your teaching. First, keep it simple. Three
main points is the norm. People cannot absorb too much information. Don't tell them
everything you know! Tell your stories, use humor, be vulnerable, and don't be afraid to show
emotion.
Make this section memorable. A great tool to use is "memory joggers." These are ways to help
the listener remember the points to your talk. Support your "BIG IDEA" with these points.
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Some Memory Jogger possibilities:
Acrostics (FROG – Fully Rely On God)
Repeated phrase (Meditate on …“God’s creation; God’s promises, God’s blessings…etc.)
Memorable set of words (start, stop, continue)
Rhyming words (realize, recognize, analyze, verbalize)
Same starting letter (prepare, practice, present)
Third: The Strong Ending!
This is your wrap up, summarizing what you have said, re-emphasizing the "BIG IDEA" and it
gives them something to take home! You might think you've repeated things too much, but here
are some statistics about repetition: According to one study, if you make a point only one time,
at the end of your presentation, just 10% of the audience will remember it. If you repeat a point
six times, retention jumps to 90%. Without repetition, 40% of your audience will forget
virtually everything you said within 20 minutes of your conclusion. Within 24 hours, 70% of the
audience will forget almost 100% of your message! End strong. The last thing you say will be
what your listener will walk away remembering!
THE SECOND KEY: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
"Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good!
Malcolm Gladwell
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Practice your talk out loud – 3 times if possible!! Do it in front of a mirror.
Make sure your talk “flows” and logically goes from one point to the next. Edit and revise as
necessary, then practice again!
If you have props or slides, always practice with them.
From Paper to Podium, Presented by Barb Miller, March 7, 2015, B.A.S.S. Convention
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Use your notes in practice, highlight important points.
If possible, tape or video your talk.
Ask a trusted friend to listen to your talk and give feedback.
Always time yourself. (Know what you will cut out if time gets short.) Respect the time you are
given, and don't go over without permission.
YOUR TALK UNLOCKED - THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Details that Make a Difference!
 Make eye contact with your audience.
 Make sure you speak into the microphone if using one – learn how to do this!
 Be confident – the audience doesn’t know if you’ve left out something or made a mistake.
 Speak clearly – not too fast
 Have all props and notes on the stage before you speak.
 Be flexible, be positive
 Don't be afraid to be vulnerable, emotional, funny or dramatic.
 Don’t tell them everything you know
 Know your time frame, and always stay within these limits.
 Relax and enjoy the time with your audience!
Nuts and Bolts
 Know your room – what is available for you to use – projector/screen, microphone, stool/chair,
podium, glass of water, etc.
 Test all equipment before hand.
 Be able to summarize your talk in one sentence (Your "BIG IDEA")
 Be yourself, speak in your own voice, be real.
 Get permission to share others' stories.
 Always credit your sources
 Don’t write out your talk word for word, have notes you can refer to and minimize reading.
 Get out from behind the podium
 Body language is important – don’t overuse gestures.
 Allow for pauses/silence once in a while – don’t fill in with um, so or like…
 Props/media should enhance your talk, not take it over.
 Be inclusive – use “we and our” more than “I and me.”
 Always keep in mind your "BIG IDEA." Don’t bunny trail off into other topics.
 Don’t tell everything you know!
 Paraphrase Scripture in your own words, and use Scripture to support your points.
 Use a quiet time for the audience to reflect on a point you have made.
FINALLY, PRESENT YOUR TALK!
T – Take a chance, relax, and connect with your listener.
A – Ask questions – Prepare and organize your talk
L - Listen to yourself – Practice, practice, practice
K – Keep your eyes on your time, on your audience, and on your "BIG IDEA."
From Paper to Podium, Presented by Barb Miller, March 7, 2015, B.A.S.S. Convention
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PREPARING YOUR NEXT TALK
 Who are you talking to:______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 What type of talk is it?_______________________________________________________________________________
 What is the purpose of your talk?_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 What will you talk about? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Where will you look for resources for this talk?________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Why are you giving this talk - what is your motivation?_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Ideas for your inspiring opening...what is your hook?_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 What is the "BIG IDEA" for your talk?_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Ideas for giving more information in your middle section - memory joggers, etc.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Ideas for ending strong - restating your "BIG IDEA" and summarizing your points.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From Paper to Podium, Presented by Barb Miller, March 7, 2015, B.A.S.S. Convention
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