Crisis Communications Speaker Presentation The Don'ts In a Crisis

When preparing to give a speech

• Assume that you can "wing it"-- almost no one can.
• Decide you are better "off the cuff"--almost no one is.
• Use type that is too small to read with a dim light and margins too narrow for notes.
• Leave too little time to practice adequately.

When you arrive at your engagement

• Be late.
• Forget the group's contact person's name.
• Fail to check your equipment.

When you are speaking

• Mumble your remarks to the podium.
• Speak to loudly into the microphone.
• Allow yourself to wander away from your prepared text.
• Tell an unprepared anecdote or joke, or make "top of mind" remarks.
• Speak longer than time allotted.

When you are answering questions

• Become defensive or emotional.
• Assume that tough questions are personal.
• Answer more than the question itself.
• Allow one person to dominate the question period.