Course intro

We begin with an orientation on the need for public speaking in the fitness industry. We look at your standing in the field and what it takes to be a leader. We break down the writing process, and show different approaches to writing so you can choose and develop a system that works best for you.

Preparation

Before we dive into the material, we have to understand the audience. In your FIT Presenter speech writing kit, you will find four types of audiences based on their knowledge level. This chapter looks deeper into each group, the problems that may arise, and the opportunities for each.

We look at the different venues where you can find yourself speaking, and the concerns you have for each. Whether it's a classroom, a conference room, the gym floor, or large theater, you will be ready to own the room.

We also address the misconceptions that will likely come up during your presentation. We need to correct their wrong ideas before we fill them with the right information.

Storytelling

This section is the meat of the course. Every lesson has a story behind it. We identify the elements of your story and how to introduce each element in stages. We explore different ways to sequence the story, besides the predictable chronological order. We develop characters that your audience can picture sitting next to them (Hint: It’s not enough to give a physical description). We establish and elevate conflict to hold your audience in suspense. We also practice different types of dialogue, so that your audience wants to join the conversation. You will finish this course with an inventory of stories that you can weave into any speech for any type of audience.

Action steps

Much like this course, your speech must be part information and part activation. Once you connect to your audience with stories and information, they are waiting for guidance on what to do next. So many speakers will finish with, “Here’s my email address if you have any questions.”

This section gives your audience an immediate action step, homework for long-term adherence, and memory aids that they can remember, repeat, and retain.

Your future

The course finishes with resources for public speaking so you can continue to grow. You’ll pick up tips for success in Toastmasters, including how to choose the right club and how to progress the right way. This section also includes a review of other speaking courses and seminars so that you can plan your progress in a proper sequence. You’ll know how to evaluate professional speakers and learn a process for how to emulate your role models without imitating them.

You will finish this course knowing how to use and make the most of the free resources of FIT-Presenter and continue to grow as a speaker long after the course is over.