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Dale Carnegie once wrote, “There are three speeches for the one you actually give. The one you practiced … The one you actually gave … and the one you wish you gave?”
In this video lesson, Danny brings this principle to life. Follow these tips and you will consistently deliver “the presentation that you wish you gave!”
As a follow-up to yesterday’s article, I produced a PowerPoint Presentation on the topic of “words-per-minute( WPM) when speaking. Watch – and Listen – this video recording. Am I speaking “too fast”- for you? “Too slow” – for you? Or, is my WPM count “Just right” – for you?
Yesterday’s written article is 515 words in length. At a normal WPM count of 150, that would make it @ 3 minutes and 45 seconds long. That is a good length for broadcast via the Internet in my experience.
As I was creating the PowerPoint slide presentation, I realized that I would have to add a few words to the narration. I wanted to ensure that it would make sense to viewers watching the presentation- even with the added visual aids and the graphics on the slides. And, of course, I did deviate from the script occasionally. As best I can determine, this presentation contains 600 words and the video lasts 5 minutes. So my WPM is 120.
This is much slower than my normal speaking rate (close to 160 WPM.) I wasn’t trying to purposely slow down. After three practice runs, this is the pace that felt natural to me.
What do you think? Is my WPM “Just right” – for you?
Please share your comments with our readers and viewers below.
Most people discover my website by putting these “keywords:” “How Many Words-per-Minute(WPM)?” into their search-engine.
In preparing this article, I thought of the children’s bedtime story, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
“Just the right speaking rate” – so that your audience understands your subject, your words, and your message.
My natural speaking rate is @ 160 words-per-minute. This is faster than the normal range of 120 – 150 wpm. According to professional speech coach Joan Detz:
“President John F. Kennedy was a notoriously fast talker – often topping 200 words per minute. You certainly don’t want to be that extreme. But, in general, talking a bit fast is better than talking too slow. Why? Speed projects charisma. Slowness projects lethargy and can frustrate listeners.”
- “It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It.”
President Kennedy gave memorable speeches. Nearly 50 years later, I am still moved whenever I hear a recording of his most famous speeches. JFK projected “vigor!” He also used short sentences. And he used powerful “action” words. He wrote and spoke using an “active voice.” He had a focused message. And, he certainly projected “charisma!”
JFK’s WPM count was “Just Right.”
So, it is not simply your word count – the number of words-per-minute that you speak – that matters. Your topic matters. And so does your choice of words, and your manner of delivery. Take all factors together and you will determine what WPM count is “just right.”
Just look to your audience. They will tell you:
In “Secrets of Successful Speakers,” best-selling author, Lilly Walters has this to say:
“The listener thinks much faster than you talk. People generally speak at 150 words per minute, but think at 600 to 700. So your listeners are able to jump ahead and around the topic. They start adding in all kinds of factors from their own lives and experiences that have very little to do with what you’re talking about. It makes the pieces of information they are juggling in their brains monumental to consider!”
One proven technique that memorable speakers employ is “The Power of the Pause.”
“That impressive, eloquent, progressive silence which often achieves a desired effect where no combination of words howsoever felicitous could accomplish it.”
- Mark Twain
Recall the words that (fast-talking) President Kennedy delivered in his 1961 Inaugural Address:
“Ask not what your country can do for you. (Pause, Pause) Ask (Pause, Pause) what you can do for your country.”
As you play those words back in your mind you realize that that is an ideal example of “The Power of the Pause.”
Choose your words carefully. Practice your delivery. Check-in with your audience. That is how many words-per-minute you should speak!
Then, you will be “Just Right!”
I frequently have to create customized PowerPoint presentations, tailored to meet the needs of each audience. Sometimes, the customization means that I only have 1/2 of my normal time to present. Other customizations require that I not disclose certain financial information with a particular audience.
I’m sure that you have had similar challenges. However, don’t go the “File, Save as…” route to create multiple copies of your Master Presentation. And… don’t risk showing “hidden” slides to the wrong audience!
Rather, learn to create multiple Custom Shows within one PowerPoint file. With custom shows prepared, you will always be prepared when your organizer asks you to “cut 15 minutes” from your presentation at the last minute!
Here are the steps to follow in this video lesson:
I just recorded a new video PowerPoint Presentation for one of my websites. Since I intended to post this video on the website, I wanted to be sure that the total length did not exceed 4 minutes. In Internet-time, that can seem like an eternity!
I had a story to tell – promoting my services as a trainer. So I wanted to make it interesting. I want viewers to watch the entire video – it comes in at 3 1/2 minutes. And, of course, I wanted to conclude the video with a strong “call to action” – contact me to discuss my training services.
Here are the steps that I followed to create and record the PowerPoint video:
Give me your feedback after watching the video. What do you think? Did I speak too fast? Was my story clear? etc.
Add your comments below.
And, yes, you can contact me if you want to engage my services!
danny@thecompanyrocks.com
Buy this book!
I just started reading Rick Altman’s totally irreverent – and totally relevant book this past weekend. I love this book! Even better, I love the advice that Rick share with his audience.
How many time have you sat in the audience while the presenter proceeded to read the slide – “word-for-word.?”
Better question – How many times have you – the presenter – read your slides “word-for-word?”
The answer to both questions – “Way too many times!”
Now, we can’t directly change how other people choose to present – unless they are are one of our direct reports; or, they come to us seeking coaching on their presentations. However, we can implement “Preventive PowerPoint Practices” to improve our own presentations.
Rick helps us with 2 “Universal Axiom’s:
Universal Axiom #1:
“If a slide contains complete sentences, it is practically impossible for even the most accomplished presenters to avoid reading the entire slide word for word.”
Universal Axiom #2:
“When you read your slides word for word, you sound like an idiot.”
So what is the solution? How can you implement”Preventive PowerPoint Practices?”
Simple – Do not put complete sentences on your slides!
I can attest to this first hand. From time to time, I deliver training using PowerPoint slides created by my client. Many of the slides contain complete sentences hiding as “bullet points.” I have to really force myself to not look at the slides lest I succumb to the temptation to “read the slide word-for-word.” And I am an experienced presenter. I have to consciously remind myself to look at the audience and not at the slide!
It is so much easier when you implement “Preventive PowerPoint Practices” – Do not put complete sentences on your slides!
In an earlier post, I demonstrate the “Four-by-Four Rule for PowerPoint”
Read Rick Altman’s Book – “Why Most PowerPoint Presentations Suck… And How You Can Make Them Better.”
Go back to ALL of your PowerPoint Presentations and remove Every Complete sentence. Now – before you forget.
There is one exception to this rule: If you are using a quotation on your slide. A good quotation is usually brief. Just make sure that you choose a quotation that complements your point.
I have now joined the YouTube community by uploading several of my Excel Training Videos. Here is the link:
YouTube offers a unique opportunity for viewers worldwide to access and share video content with their friends and other members of their community. I want to be able to offer my Excel Video Training resources to them – the way that they want to access and share them.
The video experience that I offer on my The Company Rocks Excels website is quite different from the YouTube experience. Let us celebrate the difference!
Our normal rate of speech – the number of words per minute (wpm) that we use - is between 120 and 150 wpm. When we are nervous or excited, we speak faster and our wpm count increases. The converse applies when we are tired or when we speak more deliberately - we use fewer wpm.
My normal wpm count is between 135 and 160. What is yours? If you don’t know, how can you find out? And why does it matter? Here’s why:
Speaking -live - is much more difficult than writing, in my opinion. In order to be an effective speaker you must be aware of how fast or how slow you speak. It is your responsibility to make sure that your audience understands what you are saying. Your audience must grasp your ideas as you present them – in real time. The first time!
When you write, you can go back and edit your thoughts. Rewrite your sentences before you publish your article. When you speak, you do not have that luxury. You can not re-do your spoken remarks when they are delivered live.
And when you speak, your voice must come alive. You voice must grab and keep your audiences attention. You need good vocal energy. You need to project authority and authenticity if you want your audience to stay tuned-in to your presentation. And this usually increases your wpm count. So you must guard against racing through your presentation.
Recording these video tutorials has been very instructive – to me! I get a chance to hear myself speak. I get a chance to see how long it takes me to present an idea. And… I have asked a few colleagues to critique these early recordings. As a result, I have received some excellent feedback. And I am making some changes.
Ideally, I want to keep the length of these video lessons short. Three minutes is ideal. Five minutes is too long. I want my audience to stay tuned-in. I don’t want them to tune-out before I make my point. When speaking, I must get to the point quickly without speaking too quickly. I must be aware of how many words per minute I use. And not waste time – nitehr my time nor my audience’s.
In preparing for today’s video lesson on my MS Excel blog, I wrote out my script. I read the script aloud several times and revised it. I timed myself as I spoke the script. I did a word count. And at 702 words divided by my 135 wpm speaking rate, this talk was coming in at 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
Too long! Too much content! What could I trim? What should I eliminate? I need to cut out at least 1 minute of talking in order to keep my audience tuned-in.
After several revisions I was ready to “go live” and record this lesson. I did not want to read my script. And I did not have too. I had rehearsed it sufficiently. I felt comfortable and confident.
The result – a 4 minute and 10 second video. I was happy. And I think that my audience will find this video informative and engaging.
Now mind you, I know this topic – in Excel – very well. I have taught it many times in individual and classroom settings. But this was the first time I was recording the lesson.
The lesson for me – I can always improve. So can you. But it requires practice – before you speak!
Here are the take-aways for this lesson:
1) Create slides that reinforce your message; your slides should not repeat your message
2) The “Four-by-four” Rule: No more than 4 bullet points; nor more than 4 words per bullet point
3) Ctrl+D is the shortcut for Duplicating a slide
Seth Godin wrote a very useful article, “The three laws of great graphs” on his blog today. Read it. And put a copy of this in the folder of materials for your next presentation. Keep it handy. Heeding Seth’s advice will payoff.
And that’s exactly what you want when you insert a chart or a graphic in your PowerPoint slide – a big payoff! Nothing less.
And… certainly nothing else. As Seth correctly points out – a PowerPoint slide, shown in a dark ballroom to 1,000 people, is not the time to point out nuances.
You want your audience to say (to themselves) “Aha! Now I see it. Now I get it. This really is a big problem!”
A picture is worth a thousand words – if used effectively. Let your graphic speak for itself. Let your audience see the big picture – for themselves!
A poor choice of graphs is like a bad joke. If you have to explain it … Better not to use it.
