| So you want to be a Public Speaker? Have you | | | | by a doctor and hydrate. Remember; don't skimp |
| ever attended a seminar and said, "Wow, I wish I | | | | on quality with your tools. Your tools are |
| could speak like that"? Well, I've got some great | | | | important and cost should not be a factor. You |
| news for you. You can be a public speaker. There | | | | get what you pay for! Delivery As a speaker, you |
| is no such thing as a born public speaker. Public | | | | never want to "die" in front of the room, but if |
| speaking is a learned skill, basically anyone can do | | | | you take the wrong position, it may very well |
| it. You just need to follow some simple rules and | | | | affect how your received. Lots of research on |
| practice. If you know how to talk, you can | | | | covert influence shows that it really does matter |
| become a public speaker. Becoming really good at | | | | where one stands when we present our subject |
| public speaking requires some risk. Now | | | | matter. To satisfy yourself that the position of |
| understand there is risk involved. You risk being | | | | your body in relationship to others is important, |
| rejected when you ask someone out on a date, | | | | try this. Ask several to help you out. Place two |
| and you risk getting into an accident every time | | | | chairs face to face, just about 3-4 feet from |
| you drive your car. If you were afraid of getting | | | | each other. Now, assuming you are sitting in one, |
| into an accident, you'd never get behind the | | | | slide the other over about two feet to the right, |
| wheel, right? It has been proven that one of our | | | | so when the other person is sitting across from |
| greatest fears, believe it or not, is public speaking. | | | | you, you'll be to their right, and vice versa. Now |
| The key to getting up in front of an audience is | | | | have each person sit across from you as you |
| believing that you have something to share with | | | | present a short subject. Have them appraise you |
| them that may make a difference in their lives - | | | | on a scale from 1-10 how comfortable they are |
| by entertaining them, warning them, encouraging | | | | with you. After they have done so, move your |
| them, or giving them direction or information. In | | | | chair so that they are now across from you, and |
| order to be good at anything, you have to | | | | on your left and repeat the process. Do this with |
| practice. It's easy to become discouraged if you | | | | as many people as you can, because the results |
| expect to be as good as Zig Ziglar, Tom Antion | | | | are overwhelming. You'll be shocked to find that |
| Bill Brooks and Jim Cathcart right out of the | | | | almost everyone rates you as being much more |
| shoot. But if you knew their backgrounds you will | | | | comfortable when you are on their right side. Not |
| find that it took a long time before they were | | | | only that, but research also indicates that you will |
| able to do what they do so well. The thing to | | | | be seen as more attractive as well. See how this |
| remember is the only person you need to | | | | might be beneficial? So, how do you use this |
| compare yourself with is yourself. You must | | | | information in a live presentation? While there are |
| constantly work for your personal best, so when | | | | more complex strategies, the basic use of this is |
| you are preparing your speech and practicing, all | | | | not only powerful, but simple. When you first take |
| you need to ask yourself is, "is your second | | | | the stage, you'll want to stand near the center, |
| speech better than your first?" Did you learn | | | | just off to the right of the audience, or your left. |
| something new as you prepared for your speech? | | | | As the presentation progresses, you will want to |
| Did you learn something from the feed-back | | | | use both sides of the stage; the side to the right |
| comments of others after you gave your | | | | of the audience for anything you want them to |
| speech? That's all you need to do. You can use | | | | associate positive feelings to, and the left side to |
| what you've learned to make the next speech | | | | the things you want them to link to negativity. |
| your best and then use the same process for | | | | Ain't science wonderful? Nerves Your mouth is |
| each speech you give thereafter. Just take one | | | | dry, heart pounding, and knees knocking. You go |
| step at a time. Find your Niche The more you like | | | | into panic, facing a dreaded public speaking |
| your topic, the more your audience will want to | | | | engagement. "Now understand, I have been |
| hear about it. There are three ways to determine | | | | speaking since 1973 and have given hundreds of |
| your power fields, interests, majors and pet | | | | seminars and each and every time I'm nervous." |
| peeves. Start with process one and follow these | | | | Here are a few tips that may help combat those |
| recommendations. But before you do that, you | | | | symptoms and reduce nervousness. 1. Deep |
| need to understand, to become a successful | | | | breathing will help your brain work to capacity, |
| public speaker you must be passionate about | | | | and forcing the slower pace will quell the panic. 2. |
| your public speaking career. You MUST, eat drink | | | | Exude confidence; Stand tall, with shoulders back |
| and sleep public speaking. You must be focused, | | | | and chest out. Smile. Even though you don't feel |
| determined and control any and all distractions to | | | | happy or confident, do it anyway. You will look |
| become successful in this field. It is an absolute | | | | confident and your body will fool your brain into |
| must that you love what you're doing. Yes, it's | | | | thinking it is confident. It works! 3. Keep you |
| important you must enjoy helping people and be | | | | mouth and throat hydrated. Plan to keep a drink |
| around people - communication is a two way | | | | on hand while you are speaking, though this |
| process. "The reason I do this basically is that I | | | | sounds impossible. Place (room temperature) |
| enjoy being in front of people. I get fired up, | | | | water strategically placed so you can re-hydrate |
| excited and enjoy the interaction. Yes, ego is | | | | during your presentation. Know when in your |
| involved also. It's a rush!" Now, back to where we | | | | presentation it would be less noticed. If all else fails |
| were. Below are some questions to ask yourself | | | | tell your audience that you need to hydrate. You |
| to find your niche. "Your audience will know if you | | | | can make it humorous. 4. Adrenalin sends the |
| really care about what you're speaking on - | | | | blood rushing to the fight/flight centers of your |
| believe me! So, find your niche." PROCESS 1 What | | | | brain at the base of the skull. Place your hand on |
| do you like to do in your spare time? What are | | | | your forehead and press gently on the bony |
| your hobbies? What do you like to do at holidays? | | | | points. This will bring the blood to the parts of the |
| What is your favorite travel destination? What do | | | | brain that need it to present your speech best. 5. |
| you like to talk about with friends? On what issue | | | | Know you are prepared. Obviously this depends |
| do you hold a strong opinion? What issue do you | | | | on actually being prepared, so take every |
| like to know more about? What values are you | | | | opportunity in the days leading up to the speech |
| standing for? What special expertise do you | | | | to prepare your material. Be familiar with the |
| have? What do you fix well? What special skills do | | | | structure of the presentation, and the ideas to |
| you have? What special professional or personal | | | | use. Memorize the most important parts, and the |
| experiences have you had in your life? What | | | | parts you might forget. 6. Know your audience, its |
| speech topic or debate in the news recently | | | | critical! Their average age, gender, race, income |
| focused your attention? PROCESS 2 Associate. | | | | levels, education, generally their demographics. |
| Lets say you like to talk about Donald Trump. | | | | Remember, the more you know your audience |
| Now write down all things that come up in your | | | | the more it will put you at ease. 7. Remember, |
| mind. All the things related to Donald Trump. E.g. | | | | you are the expert! Yes, there are people who |
| real estate, business successes, scandals, TV | | | | might know more about your subject. I think this |
| productions, his friends, and so on. In other words, | | | | way, "if there is a person that knows more about |
| you are building a topic tree around Mr. Trump. | | | | the subject being presented in the audience, then |
| This method takes some time, but you can apply | | | | why they are not up here presenting and I |
| it on almost every candidate issue. PROCESS 3 Is | | | | seated in the audience?" 7 Keys of making a |
| it of great interest to you? Does it really excite | | | | Speech 1. Grammar - Use correct grammar. |
| you? Is it something you're already interested in? | | | | Write out your speech in advance and read it |
| Did you always want to know more about it, but | | | | aloud a few times. This will help you catch most |
| didn't have the time to find out? Do you love to | | | | of the mistakes privately. Ask a friend to listen to |
| talk about it? Do you already know more about | | | | the speech and give you feedback or note any |
| the speech topic? Are you passionate about your | | | | grammatical errors. 2. Filler Words - Unnecessary |
| subject? Most importantly, regardless of the | | | | words that do not help convey your point can be |
| subject, YOU MUST BE PASSIONATE ABOUT | | | | distracting. Avoid the use of "uh, ah, um, you |
| PUBLIC SPEAKING AND THE TOPIC BE | | | | know, like, and I mean." In order to avoid run-on |
| PRESENTED! Once you have found your niche(s), | | | | sentences, insert a one-second - pause - between |
| perfect it/them. If you've noticed, you can have | | | | sentences instead of using "and" or "so" to |
| more than one. It is strongly suggested you have | | | | connect two or more sentences. Before you take |
| multiple subject matter. Personally, I have eight | | | | the stage practice saying any difficult words you |
| seminars from one hour to a two week on site | | | | plan to use. 3. Body Language - By this, I am |
| venue. Don't limit your marketability with only | | | | referring to unintentional cues you give such as |
| having one or two. Versatility is the name of the | | | | looking at your notes, not making eye contact, |
| game. But which ever you choose become the | | | | slumped shoulders, hands in pockets jingling |
| expert in that/those subject(s). Stay up to date | | | | money, or slouching on the lectern. Practicing in |
| with changes, technology or whatever impacts | | | | front of a mirror will help you discover your own |
| change to your subject. Constant research is the | | | | quirky movements. 4. Gestures - These are |
| key here. Remember, people are paying for your | | | | intentional movements you use to make a point |
| knowledge! Tools of the Trade: To start on this | | | | or illustrate the importance of a word. Make your |
| subject, I will layout the common tools required to | | | | gestures large enough to be seen by the person |
| maintain your trade: 1. Laptop Computer 2. Digital | | | | sitting in the back of the room. Step away from |
| movie camera (professional is suggested here) 3. | | | | the lectern when using the lower part of your |
| Mobile Projection (presentations)(see InFocus) 4. | | | | body; otherwise your movement will not be seen. |
| Thumb Drive (2GIG min) 5. Headset Microphone | | | | 5. Vocal Delivery - Avoid monotone and jazz up |
| Wireless System 6. Digital micro recorder 7. The | | | | your presentation by varying your tone (emphasis |
| most important tool of all your voice. - Voice is | | | | or emotion), pitch (high or low voice), and rate |
| essential to your profession. To take care of your | | | | (fast or slow). All these help keep an audience |
| voice properly is essential to your longevity - Do's | | | | interested in what you are saying. 6. Topic- Your |
| to project and save your voice: 1. Get an annual | | | | focus should be on your audience. An interesting |
| check-up from a throat specialist: Prevention is | | | | topic is important, but should be relevant to your |
| always better than a cure. 2. Consider professional | | | | listener's needs. Prepare ahead of time. Write key |
| voice training. A voice teacher, professional choir | | | | points on small 3x5 note cards to remind you of |
| director or singer can make a world of difference | | | | what is next. Reading off cue cards is |
| in techniques and your sound. 3. Drink six to eight | | | | discouraged. Only use them if necessary. Know |
| glasses of water daily - this helps to moisten | | | | your subject! 7. Visual Aids - Not all presentations |
| throat tissue and cuts down on dryness which | | | | require or need visual aids. However, visual aids |
| leads to irritation. 4. Drink only water, lemonade or | | | | and handouts make a your presentation more |
| warm liquids when using your voice for long | | | | interesting. Impromptu Speaking If you have ever |
| periods of time. Ice cold liquids have a tendency | | | | given a presentation at work or at a special event |
| to shock or paralyze the throat and causes strain. | | | | you know how nerve-wracking it can be. A little |
| 5. Use warm salt water solution or warm | | | | nervousness is normal. It shows that you care |
| lemonade to gargle with after long hours of selling | | | | and are excited about the opportunity you've |
| especially if your throat feels tired. 6, Use a quality | | | | been given to speak. Having nervousness |
| sound system. Don't buy because of price - buy | | | | overcome your ability to function in front of an |
| because of sound. 7. Let the sound system do | | | | job interview panel can be harmful. Practice |
| the work for you - that's why you have it. | | | | impromptu speaking as a way of learning to |
| Control crowd with sound system. Turn it up if | | | | respond effectively on a moment's notice. Here |
| they're too noisy - silence will quite them also. | | | | are a few suggestions about how to rehearse for |
| Keep them attentive but not by yelling. 8. Relax | | | | successful impromptu speaking. For this exercise |
| your body and voice. You can feel tightness and | | | | you will require: - A timer, stopwatch or clock |
| tension - relax, breathe deeply, relax, breathe | | | | with a second hand sweep. - A friend - If you |
| deeply. 9. Keep throat moist at all times. Small | | | | don't have anyone to practice with, you'll have to |
| pieces of candy held in corner of mouth help | | | | watch the timer yourself. - A topic - here are |
| produce saliva. Avoid menthol candies, cough | | | | three: 1. What is procrastination and how it |
| drops, etc. They tend to cause dryness. NEVER, | | | | impacts ones personal life. 2. You have a friend |
| NEVER chew GUM! Yes it does produce saliva but | | | | that has asked you for some advice on why his |
| looks disgusting. "Every time I see one chewing | | | | business is not taking off. You know it is his focus |
| gum during a presentation I see a barnyard animal | | | | and time management that needs real help. 3. |
| chewing cud!" - "Okay, my pet Peeve!" 10. Project | | | | Please give your advice on how to deal with |
| voice naturally. Talk naturally but project upward | | | | rush-hour traffic. Take each topic listed above one |
| and outward through diaphragm. Talk to furthest | | | | at a time. Have your friend read one topic aloud |
| person from you to help projection. 11. Practice | | | | then set the timer for two minutes. Your friend |
| and try to cultivate the habit of 'diaphragmatic | | | | will give you a silent signal when you've reached |
| breathing" whenever you have to speak. Your | | | | one minute and again when you have reached |
| voice will hold up much better, sound stronger, | | | | two minutes. Try to keep speaking until you get |
| and be more pleasant for others to hear. - | | | | the one minute signal. Then, wrap up when you |
| DON'TS: Here are a few that can affect your | | | | get the two minute signal. Compose your |
| voice quality and lead to throat problems. 1. Don't | | | | thoughts as quickly as possible and begin |
| strain - learn proper breathing techniques and | | | | addressing the topic. Give a simple opening |
| protection techniques. Prolonged straining of your | | | | statement. You may repeat the topic question as |
| voice causes the vocal chords to rub violently | | | | your opening. Then, give your opinion about the |
| together causing blisters or nodules often requiring | | | | topic by answering the questions to the best of |
| surgery and then voice therapy to correct. 2. | | | | your ability. Give a summary of what you |
| Don't scream or shout excessively - Auctioneers | | | | presented. Guest Speaker Being a guest speaker |
| don't speak without a good sound system. 3. | | | | in front of the right audience can be an excellent |
| Don't use a cotton handkerchief over mike - dust | | | | way to attract new business. Many clubs, |
| and cotton particles from the handkerchief cause | | | | organizations, conventions, and trade shows seek |
| dryness and strain. 4. Don't rely on throat | | | | guest speakers who can provide useful |
| lozenges, sprays, pills, steam to ease throat. This | | | | information to their audience. The opportunity to |
| is a dead give-away to problems. Don't spray | | | | speak in front of an attentive group can certainly |
| antihistamines to clear nose. They dry out throat | | | | boost your business, whether you are a service |
| tissue excessively and often cause drainage into | | | | or product provider. Design your speech or |
| throat. Grosse, but true. 5. Don't speak out of | | | | presentation so that the audience leaves with |
| pitch -- too high or too low a pitch causes voice | | | | useful information that will help them. Avoid giving |
| strain, how do you find your pitch? Talk or hum | | | | a sales pitch; this will be a turn-off for both the |
| to determine pitch. 6. Don't cough, sneeze or clear | | | | audience and the speaker-coordinator. Here are a |
| throat excessively - causes incredible stress on | | | | number of reasons why being a guest speaker |
| vocal chords and irritation from rubbing together | | | | can attract more business: You are perceived as |
| that may lead to nodules. 7. Don't speak louder or | | | | an expert in your field. You have an opportunity |
| change your pitch when you have head | | | | to get free publicity to promote the event. You |
| congestion. You may feel you can't be understood | | | | have the opportunity to hand out information to |
| unless you adjust your voice but remember, your | | | | each attendee (with your contact name on it). |
| audience's ears are not congested and they can | | | | You can ask for names and addresses of |
| hear you fine. Slower, more careful articulation will | | | | attendees to build your contact database. You can |
| help your clarity. 8. Don't smoke! If others around | | | | chat one-on-one with the attendees after the |
| you are smoking, drink water. This greatly | | | | meeting. Make sure you have a business card! |
| reduces the likelihood of throat irritation. 9. Don't | | | | Check out your local Chamber of Commerce, |
| ignore warning signs - hoarseness, laryngitis, sore | | | | local trade shows, or your local Convention |
| throat (especially after speaking), swelling, lumps | | | | Center. In some cities there are Professional |
| or continued irritation. Don't wait - get it checked | | | | Meeting Planners who often seek speakers. |