Pre-Planned Ad Libs and Saver Lines

Have these ready when something goes wrong during your speech

To see more articles about public speaking, click on Speech Article Library
 

There's an articles elsewhere on this website in which I offered some tips for dealing with annoying distractions during your speech, and made some
suggestions for what to do if a cell phone goes off.

But a lot of other distractions--and even potential disasters--can occur while you're making your presentation.

When something unexpected happens, what should you do?

Well, to borrow a line from a commercial some years ago, the most important thing is to never let 'em see you sweat.

It may sound like ione of things that's easier said than done, but actually it's not hard if you come to the stage well prepared with pre-planned ad libs and saver lines.

Think about it.

Almost anything that can happen during your speech has probably happened to someone else before--maybe even you.

Situations tend to repeat themselves, and no matter how well you plan against it, "bleep" happens.

But there are dozens of one-liners you can have to save the day--or night--and once you learn them, you won't "sweat the small stuff" anymore.

Here are just a few examples cited by professional speaker Tom Antion in his book Wake 'Em Up Business Presentations:

When you drop something, or something falls:

(mimicking Clint Eastwood) "Go ahead. BREAK my day..."

"I'm going to pretend that didn't happen..."

"Is God trying to tell me my time is up?"

When something doesn't work

"That's what I get for buying this at the flea market..."

"I would fix this thing, but all I learned in shop class was how to call for estimate..."

Sound system feedback or loud audio malfunctions

"I'll bet you never heard anyone clear their throat like that before..."

"If you think that's bad, wait until I start singing..."

An alarm goes off

"I told you this was a hot topic..."

Misspellings on your visuals

"Remember what Mark Twain said. I don't give much of a damn for someone who can only spell a word one way..." 

Tom offers dozens more pre-planned ad libs and saver lines in Chapter 9 of his book, available by clicking on Wake 'Em Up Business Presentations or the book cover below.

Download a 28 page PDF report about making a dazzling presentation, written by one of the most successful public speakers in America? Click on Get Applause Now.