Knock It Out of the Park Speech Preparation

Here's a great article for speakers in the HBR Blog by Dan Pallotta

Checklist: (read the article for details)

1. Know your goal.
   
   
2. Memorize your speech.
   
   
3. If you don't want to knock it out of the park, don't follow rule 2.
   
   
4. Practice the transitions.
   
   
5. Don't fear silence.
   
   
6. Never, ever, ever use PowerPoint as your speech notes.
   
   
7. Give something of yourself.
   
   
8. Be yourself.
   
   
9. Don't speak in abstractions.
   
   
10. Feel what's happening in the room
    
    
11. Make eye contact until it scares you.
    
    
12. Don't miss your own talk.
    
    
13. Come from a place of love for your audience.