Great presentations and speeches make a powerful impression on listeners. They persuade, sell, and motivate. But what makes this magic happen? Usually, it's because the speaker has introduced one or more “power pictures” into the talk. Power pictures make a vivid impression on listeners, and convince them to shift their attitudes or act in a fundamentally different way.

Next time you're planning to speak to others – whether it's an informal office presentation or a speech to members of an organization – use one or more of these power speaking secrets to move your audience:

• Power Picture # 1: Startle. Get your audience thinking – or stir their emotions – by announcing some unusual or provocative information. The result: they'll become receptive to whatever idea or proposition you're advancing. Example: “Did you know that expenses in this account have increased 310% in the last two years?”
• Power Picture # 2: Personalize. Nothing is more interesting than a personal story. So talk about yourself as much as your ideas. Example: “I became interested in this product because of something that happened on my grandmother's farm when I was fourteen years old …”
• Power Picture # 3: Show and Tell. This isn't just for kindergarten students; people of all ages love exhibits and displays. Use strategic props during your talk, and you'll engage and interest your audience. Examples: Photographs, prototypes, humorous knick-knacks.
• Power Picture # 4: Localize. Draw examples familiar to your audience into your talk. Or mention audience members by name. Or pose questions to specific listeners. Example: “Pat knows all about this problem. Let me tell you what Pat and I did last week …”
• Power Picture # 5: Warm. What's human and touching about your presentation? How does your product, idea, or proposal affect other people? Describe, in very personal terms, how your proposition changes people's lives. Examples: Testimonials, illustrations, touching stories.
• Power Picture # 6: Reminisce. In this fast-paced world, most people respond positively to recollections of happy times past. If your organization, product or cause has a rich history, you can use these recollections to powerful effect. Examples: Memories of meeting mutually respected people, accounts of barriers broken and challenges overcome, anecdotes from meetings and conventions.
• Power Picture # 7: Threaten. Few pitches stir interest and emotion more than threats. So instead of asking yourself how your idea or product helps your audience, ask how the absence of your product potentially hurts them. Example: “Let me tell you how your family's security is threatened every single day …”
• Power Picture # 8: Laugh. Many subjects can be explored through humor. While you should never try to force humor on an audience – especially if you're inexperienced in delivering presentations or unsure whether you have the ability to draw smiles in others – a funny self-deprecating story or amusing customer anecdote might be a great way to start. Examples: Your funniest sale, your most unusual customer, your most embarrassing mistake.
• Power Picture # 9: Play. At the very least, entertainment and old fashioned, ordinary fun attracts audience attention and provokes smiles. At best, it convinces. Simple games and contests involve audience participation – easily conducted within the span of thirty to sixty seconds – all work. Examples: Information contests (such as “name the person” or “remember the date”) or raffles (even something as simple as an imprinted coffee mug raffle is perfect).