• Walk with confidence—move quickly to your mic, podium, or spot; act like a person who is looking forward to saying something and has a sense of purpose, not tentative or halting. If you’re nervous, take the time to stop and take a deep breath.
• Use your announcer’s voice—not yelling, but not conversational. Practice it. Be comfortable with that voice.
• Never get rattled by misbehaving technology, hecklers in the audience, lights, cameras, etc.—stay on point and deal with whatever your situation is.
• Once you have used the stage to say what you were going to say, give it back or give it up—some of the most uncomfortable times for an audience member is seeing a person trying to get off the stage. Don’t keep repeating yourself.

Opening Question

1. What are the characteristics of a wimp?
2. Write up a good list—most items would be on the avoid list when it comes to owning the stage.

Closing Thoughts

• A list of what you plan to say is helpful to keep you moving from point to point.
• Believe your content is helpful.
• Owning the stage should never make the audience feel small—be careful that you do not come across as condescending.
• Others will create their first impression of you before you say your first word; you might have a minute to cement or change their impression.
• Watch others to see how they command attention; you can learn from good and bad examples.