Perfect a Personal Delivery Style September 25, 2009
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Many people tell me they’re excellent communicators in one-on-one situations; they have problems only when speaking in front of a group. That’s because public speaking involves performing as much as it does presenting information. Have a sense of theater, a sense of style to get your message across to your audience. Your style may be quiet and serious or energetic and enthusiastic. Never talk to a group again – they are all individuals. You’re merely having a conversation with Maria, Rick, Lee or Julia.
President Clinton perfected this ability to talk directly to each person. I attended a presentation by the former president and was sitting in the balcony, along with an audience of 2500. Everyone else could have gone home because this tiny figure down on the stage was only speaking to me. President Clinton is very comfortable with himself, he enjoys speaking before groups and he wants to make sure he connects with each person. These are excellent objectives for you if you also want to be a compelling speaker.
The Most Important 5 Minutes of your Presentation September 24, 2009
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I have often told my clients they can judge the success of their presentation if the audience comes forward at the end and crowds around, asking questions. Obviously the speaker has connected with the audience and they want to hear more. It’s a perfect opportunity to make personal contact by shaking hands, exchanging business cards or making an appointment for a future phone call or email. But in our busy world, the audience may have liked your speech but almost trample others in their rush to the exit.
I was working with a client who spoke on an important panel earlier this week. I suggested she put website and contact numbers on a colored sheet and hold it up to show the listeners it would be available later. I just received an email from her. “I took your advice about printing the contact handout on a bright color and it was the “orange” sheet that people were looking for after the session.” I’ll find out how many people she was able to talk to when they came up for the information sheet. Give away the single colored sheet so that your audience can easily follow up and make the few minutes after your talk a valuable part of your presentation.
King’s High School Mock Trial Speech Class September 21, 2009
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This morning I was the guest-speaker for Ms Marian Morris’ mock trial class. She had asked me to help the students manage their fears and be more confident during their mock trials. It was a pleasure to see the teen-age students selecting this challenging class as I know it will have a positive effect on any profession they choose.
I started out by telling the class of the time when I was a 17 yr old student at Emerson College in Boston and a fellow female student and I debated 2 murderers at the Walpole prison. Our subject- Rock and Roll music and lyrics have negative effect on the morals of teenagers. The inmates had a lot more time than college freshman to develop their case and pile up evidence from the Consitution and free speech, etc. We started to play objectional lyrics and the 500 prisoners started singing them in loud voices! Then we broke the records over our knees and threw them on the floor. The prisoners rose up and some started for the stage. I backed away from the microphone. I feared for my life! Guards came down the aisles and quieted the prisoners down so we could continue the debate. Obviously, we lost to the two men who had acquired legal finesse over the years and who later went up in front of a judge and won their appeals to be acquited. It was a memorable experience and made our next debate at West Point a piece of cake.
I emphasized to the mock trial class that I had experienced a legitmate fear that I would be bodily harmed. But fear of speaking in public is an imaginary threat to their ego. Speaking is a mental game and once you learn to control your thoughts, you can manage your emotions and your body language and tone of voice.
More later….
