Whether you speak at a conference or a seminar or make a presentation, there are proven techniques to ensure you get your message across.

“Nonverbal cues send a message,” says Melanie Novis, president of Corporate Speech Consultants in Toronto and an instructor at the University of Toronto. “You may have brilliant knowledge, but it’s how you convey it.”

According to a University of California study, just 7% of speakers’ communication is attributed to the message itself; tone of voice accounts for 38%; and non-verbal cues, 55%.

It’s important to dress well, have good posture, make eye contact and be prepared. Some more tips:

> Prepare A “Purpose Statement.” Decide what your key message is. What do you want the audience to see, think, feel and believe?

> Know Your Audience. Know their age, occupation and gender. “If I am talking to a group of women, I will use female examples,” Novis says. “If I know there are golfers in the audience, I weave in a golf story.”

> Express As Much As Half Of Your Message In Story Form. Cathleen Fillmore, owner of Speakers Gold Bureau in Toronto, says people can then take what they need and adapt it. Adding a humorous story is a good touch, especially if it’s about yourself.

> Structure Your Presentation. Divide the body of your talk into three sections, plus your closing.

> Have A Good Beginning. Like a flight in an airplane, have a good takeoff, says Novis: “The beginning of your presentation is your wedge into your audience’s consciousness. They will decide in the first 30 seconds whether they are going to listen to you.”

> Use Visuals. “But remember they are an adjunct,” says Fillmore, “and never the central theme.”

> Modulate Your Voice. “Be natural with your message,” says Fillmore. “Use the full power of your voice when necessary, and different tones when appropriate.”

> Show Confidence. Walk onto the stage as if you own it and have a valuable message to deliver. “Focus on sending a message outward,” says Novis, “as opposed to thinking about the audience judging you.” IE