Public Speaking Course: 

Columbo Technique

Do you recall the soft spoken, cigar smoking detective on the hit TV series 'Columbo'?  One of Detective Columbo's trademarks was that he would start to leave the room and when he was almost out the door he would stop to say, "Oh. Just one more thing." I teach a similar technique in my public speaking course and show you how to use this during  your presenting (but without the cigar, it is hard to speak while chomping). Here's how the Columbo technique works: Save one of your really important points . . . maybe even your most important point . . . then completely go off  the topic you were on. . .only to use the "Oh. Just one more thing" technique then deliver your big point. The surprise of what you deliver is part of mastering what you learned in your public speaking course.

Unless you have tried this out several times, don't use this technique at the end of your speech because people will start to gathering their things together in anticipation of the presentation being over. This would cause 
too much distraction to have it's full effect, and the point would be lost.
On the other hand, you could begin by using the technique just before a major transition in your talk. When you get comfortable with this, try this skill before a break. Play with your wording so that you control the audience. Don't say "Well before we go take a break . . . " This will start them moving to get ready to leave. 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 will be powerful and memorable when learned correctly in my public speaking course.

Oh. Just one more thing . . . .only use this technique ONCE per presentation. :) 

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