Public Speaking: 
Columbo Technique
Do you remember
the soft-spoken, cigar smoking detective on the hit TV series "Columbo?"
Most people do because the show is still in reruns all over the world and once
in a while a new episode comes out. One of Detective Columbo's trademarks is
that he would start to leave and when he was almost out the door he would stop
and say, "Oh. Just one more thing." The same technique can be used
in your public speaking (without the cigar).
This is how the
Columbo technique works: Save one of your really critical points . . . maybe
your most important point . . . then completely leave your subject . . . then
use the "Oh. Just one more thing" technique and deliver your big point.
Until you've tried
this out several times in your public speaking, don't try to use this technique
at the end of your speech. If you do, people will start shuffling their materials
in anticipation of the talk being over. This would cause too much distraction
from your public speaking for the technique to have it's full effect.
Begin by using
the technique just before a major transition in your public speaking. That way
you will eliminate the shuffling of papers problem noted above. When you get
comfortable with this, try the technique before a break. Play with your wording
so that you control the audience. Don't say "Well before we take a break
. . . " This will start them shuffling. Say something like, "That's
all on that topic . . . Oh. and one more thing" . . . then give your main
point. As you get really good at controlling the crowd you can try this as your
closing. Coming back with the main point in your public speaking will be powerful
and memorable.
Oh. Just one more
thing . . . .only use this technique ONCE per presentation. :)
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