 |
 |
 |
           |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Get Speaking
On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend 'graduate' from a beginner's class for stand-up comedians. Needless to say, I saw many levels of competence and talent as the nine students gave their 10 minute 'commencement speeches' before an audience of perhaps 250, mostly friends and family. Some, obviously, would never make it to prime time. Others have a good chance, given determination and patience. But, what's striking is that they all got up on the stage and did their acts. I know it takes courage to stand up on a stage and deliver a conventional speech, and it must take even more to deliver a comedy monologue, especially for the first time. If you've itched to take the stage, but fear holds you back, perhaps their example will give you the extra push you need to take the plunge. The good news is that you can overcome that fear. And you overcome it with two things: knowledge and practice. Knowledge refers to the strategies, tactics, and techniques used by speakers, and involves learning about the many, diverse elements that go into a speech or presentation. In a properly-managed learning process you work with the elements individually. In one speech you'll focus on the way you stand, in another you'll focus on what you're doing with your hands, and so on. With practice, each element becomes more natural and eventually you'll master and incorporate them all into your speeches - without even thinking about them. Personally, my big challenge was eye contact. With a background in radio, I had lots of experience with speaking to others, speaking to literally thousands of people at a time. But, put me in a room with a dozen people looking back and I felt that gut-wrenching chill that novice speakers know so well. After a few speeches, though, I was over it. I had enough knowledge of the mechanics of speaking to get over my fear. That takes us to the matter of practice. The only way you'll learn to use your newfound knowledge is through practice - standing in front of an audience and using what you've learned. The elements only become natural and automatic through practice. And here's a bonus: you also become increasingly familiar with what happens in the audience as you speak. That allows you to adjust your content or presentation on the fly, to get the results you want. For me, the path to enjoyable public speaking - and I now love it - came through Toastmasters. If you're not familiar with it, it's a non-profit organization, made up of local clubs, where aspiring speakers learn from each other. I strongly recommend it. And, hey! If you go on to do a comedy act in front of a crowd one day, maybe I'll be cheering for you. In summary, don't think of public speaking as one big leap; think instead of learning a series of elements one by one, and increasing your proficiency with them through practice. Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Public-Speaking - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Public Speaking for Scaredy Cats Business communications researchers have studied the phenomenon of stage fright experienced by would-be public speakers. Let me summarize most of the findings in very down-to-earth terms: Most people would rather die than stand up before an audience and deliver a speech. 15 Tips For Making A Great Speech 1. Listen to your internal dialog. Giving Your Audience Great Benefits What benefit do you provide the audience?People should listen to you because you have an important message that will help them to improve their business or personal lives. They are there for no other reason. Fee Credibility is a Must Think of it like this: your fee credibility is as important as putting on your clothes before going to a speaking engagement. Having questionable integrity when it comes to your fee, will leave you open for attack from many different angles (as would giving a speech nude). How to Use Public Speaking to Attract Clients When Robert Middleton moved his marketing consulting practice, Action Plan Marketing, to Palo Alto, California several years ago, he started his business from scratch. He had left his well-established client base several miles away and now had to find strategies to generate new clients. Ten Fatal Flaws Frequently Found from the Podium 1. No clear purpose for the presentation. A Short Guide to Effective Public Speaking Delivering an effective presentation to 20 or to 200 people is difficult. Because listeners have better access to information since the internet became commonplace, audiences expect more content from speakers today. Knowing Your Boundaries While delivering a speech, it is clear that we will be judged and perceived in a certain way based on our ideas, words, and body language. Taking a risk and really thinking out of the box can be quite rewarding and at the same time, it can be a disaster. 13 Publicity Tips for Professional Speakers In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging all the media attention? It's time to start claiming your share. Here are a baker's dozen of tips that will boost your publicity efforts and help you finally get noticed. The Porch Light* Method to Speaking Confidence You know the feeling. Looking out at a sea of faces, you notice a few scowls, frowns, even droopy eyelids on some of your audience members. Demand Dignity in Public Speaking Training Mandy*, a bright, attractive professional woman, had a fear of speaking in front of groups. Recognizing that her feelings of vulnerability and self-consciousness were limiting her potential, she showed up for a presentation skills class filled with trepidation. A Powerful Vocabulary Will Transform Your Life Studies show that your word-power determines your earning power, that your skill in self-expression determines your status in life.The link between your vocabulary and your income is universally recognized. Lessons in Love for the Shy at Heart One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I was cursed with the shyness gene. Shyness is an often misunderstood condition that can leave the afflicted alone and miserable. The Little-Known Speechwriting Secrets That Won George W Bush The US Election He's been accused of "mangling the language, destroying its meaning by avoiding the use of verbs, twisting nouns into verbs, and endlessly repeating phrases until they become zombified" (Source:'Bush and Blair accused of mangling English' by Kate Kelland, Reuters.com. 20 Tips to Becoming a Professional Speaker: How to be a Rising Star Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting. It is an excellent environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of your audience. Voice Coaching - Training Your Voice to Give Better Presentations Picture a cool crisp autumn morning in the wide open farming lands in the Great Southern region of Western Australia at Wagin, home of the annual Wagin Woolarama and Giant Ram.Imagine a white metal caravan with brown carpet on the inside walls fitted out as a outside broadcast van on a dusty, damp road by the edge of a large green football oval. Speech Training - Building Your Voice, Tips from a Professional Having a clear and confident voice is an essential business skill to be an effective leader, manager and communicator.Whether you are presenting in front of a group, performing in the media or speaking on the phone a good voice can be a great asset. How to Build Respect with Your Audience: Positive Thinking and Outhouse Eyes Do you believe in natural laws? Laws like:? What goes up, must come down? What you sow, you reap? When you look down outhouse holes, you get green eyes (I know this one works - I've got green eyes)Thoughts create reality is another natural law. Positive thoughts create positive results, and negative thoughts create negative results. A Quick Tip for Delivering a Great Speech Does speaking in public leave you tongue-tied? Do you stumble over your words? Do you want to learn how to speak more eloquently in front of a crowed?Here's a simple tip for getting started: Talk about something that you're passionate about.Have you ever noticed how people sound more eloquent when they're talking about something that's dear to their heart? They speak more fluidly, and they're less likely to grasp for the right words. Moving Key Audiences to Take Action? You know, those really important outside groups of people whose behaviors can help or hinder any business, non-profit or association manager in achieving his or her objectives? Are you persuading those key stakeholders - especially those whose behaviors affect your unit the MOST - to your way of thinking, then moving them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed?Oh, as a manager, you say you're covered in that regard - your public relations team is racking up some juicy print and broadcast placements, and you say those kinds of exposures are what your PR program is all about?At the risk of becoming a skunk at this picnic, I suggest you consider broadening your public relations field-of-fire to where it best belongs, on your unit's key external stakeholder behaviors rather than the occasional publicity placement.Here's why.
|
 |