23rd Mar2011

Toastmaster nerves – sorry Simon you’re wrong (and a bit right too)

by Rich

“Tonight the audience is examining me. Normally they’re just examining my subject matter…and that’s why this evening I am nervous.”

I overheard this line being whispered from a talented speaker just before our local Toastmaster’s public speaking competition was about to begin.

And it set me thinking…

Ultimately I would not have expected to hear such a line from this Toastmaster. He’s a confident, energetic and extremely talented speaker.

But my surprise at his words was surpassed by my amazement at how he had completely hit the nail on the head, yet was also completely wrong (Sorry Simon!).

Simon was completely correct in that his nerves were because on this occasion there would be a group of people specifically and purposely judging him and his delivery – the very nature of a Toastmaster’s competition.

However, Simon was also completely incorrect in his assumption that during a normal speech everyone is focused on his topic and not him.

It’s credit to Simon and reflective of his great speaking ability that he always puts his topic first (not himself) when speaking in front of an audience. He always crafts his speech for his audience, not himself – rule no.1 of public speaking.

But, it is not just his topic that makes Simon a great speaker and it is not just his words that we examine. We do not view Simon with our eyes shut and we do not read his words from a page. Simon’s voice and body are the tools that he uses to convey his message during a ‘normal’ speech and as an audience we always examine and absorb them as he delivers his speech.

In every speech both topic and speaker are intertwined – neither can exist alone.

So what do the previous few hundred words mean?

Simon, and other Toastmaster competition contestants; don’t be nervous because both your topic and you have been inspected by many an audience on many an occassion before and you haven’t let them down yet!

Ps. Despite nerves, Simon did himself proud in both the speech and evaluation contest at Hamwic Speakers in Southampton – March 2011.

Category : Public speaking riffs
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09th Mar2011

Speaking with passion

by Rich

I watched a speaker go through the motions last week…and it showed.

Speaking with passion is good. Speaking without passion is bad.

Your audience can tell if you don’t have passion for your subject or topic. If you aren’t passionate about what you are saying, why should they be?

You can’t (and perhaps shouldn’t) fake passion. At worst, fake a smile – it will make your voice sound more positive.

If you’re not passionate about your topic – choose a new one.

If you can’t change your topic, change the way you deliver the message to a way that inspires you – more humour, less humour, no slides, as a song – you name it – make it yours – own it – get passionate about it!

No one ever complained about too much passion.

Category : Public speaking riffs, Public Speaking Tips
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04th Mar2011

Saying too much when public speaking

by Rich

At the very heart of communicating to an audience is the objective to get your message across clearly and in the most effective manner.

So next time you’re speech writing or presentation planning – cut the fluff – only tell your audience what they need to know – only give them the message you want to give them. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ultimately you’ll be a more effective communicator and you’ll save hours of your audience’s time that can be spent achieving great things.

How many times have you sat in a presentation or meeting thinking, ‘I’ve already got the point of this, lets end it already, I have things to do’?

Don’t let that presentation or meeting be the one that you are running!

Category : Public Speaking Tips
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03rd Mar2011

Choosing my own adventure – I’m off and writing

by Rich

Ok, so I’m writing – I’ve got a plan and I’m going.

I’ve always wanted to write something substantial, something useful to someone other than just me and something that might one day outlast my own lifetime (it’s ambitious I know, but stick with me).

So here’s where I’m headed.

In my spare time, I’m going to be writing the ‘ultimate public speaking guide’ (it’s ambitious I know, but stick with me).

Essentially I want to produce a public speaking 101 that those in fear of giving THAT presentation or THAT speech this time next week can read through, learn from and ultimately improve their public speaking.

How do I do this?

Well, I don’t want to just write a text book. I want to do something new, different and really engaging (ambitious I know, but bear with me). So, I’m going to go down the route of a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ public speaking guide where the reader reads various sections and takes a different route through the book depending on what the requirements of their public speaking engagement is.

Essentially you could read a totally different set of instructions and advice depending on what your public speaking task is, which I think is great because lets face it, no presentation or speech is ever exactly the same.

So where next?

I’ve already planned out the technical side of the book (I think) and tried to include all of the variable elements of a speech without getting too ridiculous about it. I’ve counted 40 short sections in all for now, which might be expanded as I go.

I’ll publish the planned structure as soon as I have a chance and would appreciate anyone letting me know if they think I’ve missed anything vital.

In the end I’ll try and put this online as either an e-book or possibly even a website in its own right which users can navigate through at their leisure.

I’m always on the lookout for anyone who wants to review what I write, so if you fancy lending a hand on this one, it would be much appreciated – I’ll give you a nod in the footnotes!

Category : Public speaking riffs
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