A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about Public Speaking as an Alternate PR tactic; now I want to help you choose a topic. Public speaking is something you learn as you go, and eventually the butterflies dissipate. You might even find that you enjoy public speaking because it’s a great
way to help your business flourish. But what on earth should you talk about?Know Your AudienceThe first step in choosing a public speaking topic is to analyze your audience. You wouldn’t give the same speech to a group of college students as you would an assembly of high-powered business men; it just wouldn’t work. Factors that might influence your topic would include demographics such as age, education level, income bracket and profession as well as their potential interests. Your goal is to relate to your audience, not to talk above or below them.Know Your Time LimitThe topic of your speech will also be directly related to the length of time you have to talk. Obviously, a speech on the fundamentals of fusion marketing would be a far shorter speech than one on quantum mechanics. You don’t want to get halfway through your speech and realize that time’s run out. Be sure to factor in questions that your audience might ask, because that will take up time as well.Choose an Interactive TopicOne of the best ways to get your audience engaged during a public speaking event is to choose a topic that allows you to interact with the crowd. You don’t have to act like a rock star and crowd surf, but you do want to get your audience involved. This might be something as simple as taking a poll by asking people to raise their hands, or it might be more complex, such as asking for volunteers to assist with a demonstration. Your topic should allow you to get involved with your audience.
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