BOPSA= Bunch of People Sitting Around. This talk centers on giving great keynotes, presenting on panels and offering live talks in an engaging and compelling way beyond acadmeia.

1. BEYOND BOPSA:
Turning Ideas Into
Great Keynotes ,
Talks, Panels and
more
Michele Weldon
Director, Medill Public Thought Leaders
January 2014

2. 15 seconds to take
control.
• Grab the
audience.
• Be prepared.
• Consider it an
oral version of a
great oped.
• Write the script.

3. These skills transfer.
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•
•
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•
Panels
Media appearances
Job or funding interviews
Presentations
Working dinners
Networking events

4. Tip # 1:
• Enter the
room.

5. Tip #2:
• Great opening
line.
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•
•
Humor
Question
Big statement
Confession
Go big, or go
small but go

6. Tip #2: Claim your expertise
• Establish your
area of research
• Your interests?
• Your career
experience?
• Life experience?

7. Tip # 3:
The Value of Three
• 3 main points
• Clear beginning,
middle and end
• Close up, medium
and long shot

8. Tip # 4: Deliver solid content
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•
•
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•
•
Write a script
You can’t just be charming.
Research
Be topical, newsy
Be interesting
Say something only you can say
Create memorable phrases
Have a takeaway

9. Tip # 5: Be unforgettable
• Repetition of phrasing
• Memorable quotes through history
• Ask questions
• To Be Sure
• Next steps
• Establish creative links
• Connect ideas in new
• ways

10. Tip # 6: Earn the respect
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•
•
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Deliver a good argument
Be worth their time
Be professional
Do a good job

11. NEVER, EVER SAY:
• “I didn’t prepare any remarks.”

12. Tip # 7:
Learn from the audience
• Pay attention at
breakfast (lunch,
dinner)
• Go to the cocktail
party
• Email the planners
• Get audience
demographics
• Find out who spoke
last year
• Read body language

13. Tip # 8: Surprise
• Do a
demonstration
• Ask for
participation
• Minimal visuals
on PP
• Walk around
• Ask a question

14. Tip # 9:
You can do this well.
• Expand on your teaching/lecturing skills.
• Good writers can be good speakers.
• Have a career on the side that can take you
places you want to go.

15. Tip # 10:
Promote yourself.
• On your website.
• On social media
• Say yes to opportunities to speak

16. WHY?
• Network, collaborate
• Promote your ideas, become known
• Sell books
• Get more bookings
• Get invites for other work
• Make extra $$
• Go places

17. BEST Tip :
Get a booking. Practice.
• Network: NU Clubs, academic organizations, professional
groups, libraries
• Send queries with your topics
• Research the market
• Learn techniques http://www.nsaspeaker.org/,
http://www.ted.com/
• Do it for the experience
•Ask.

18. Learn from good speakers.
• George Lombardi, Mother Teresa:
• http://themoth.org/posts/radio-extras-for-the-moth-radiohour-episode-1302
• Personal:
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_st
ress_your_friend.html
• Good facts:
http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_ha
ppy.html
• http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger
_of_a_single_story.html