Thursday, September 15th, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Two speakers. Same audience. One speaker had the audience’s full attention. They laughed at jokes, groaned on cue, and responded well. The second speaker felt like he was speaking to a painting of an audience. Virtually no reaction.
One speaker made a connection with the audience and the second did not. How can we connect with the audience?
Speaking Tip #7: Connect with the audience through interaction, stories, and a strong intro.
- Spend time interacting with the audience before the presentation. Some speakers stand at the door and greet people coming. Float around and say “Hello”.
- Have a strong intro that draws the audience in. Consider using the Hook & Reel Intro.
- Tell stories. Stories instantly connect with the audience. If you lose attention, launch into a story.
Connecting with the audience takes work. Use these tips and it will help you connect next time you speak.
Thursday, September 15th, 2011 at 2:16 AM
Winston Churchill was a powerful speaker. He inspired millions and changed the outcome of history. He also mastered the power of the pause. The majority of speakers do not use this effectively.
Soon after I started recording my presentations, I realized I was under utilizing this important speaking tip.
Speaking Tip #6: Pause before and after an important point or word.
Pausing causes the audience to reflect. Pausing breaks up the monotony of the presentation. Pausing creates anticipation for the next phrase.
Consider these examples.
The secret to reaching your goals is…persistence …
When it come to holding attention, that speaker is a 10…out of 100 …
As Winston Churchill Said, … “Never, never, never give up.” …
During rehearsal I will often mentally count ” 1, 2, 3, 4″ when I should pause. This exercise will help make pausing a natural part of your public speaking skills toolbox. You will join the 5% who speak like Churchill.
Thursday, September 1st, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Are you familiar with Toastmasters? It is an international organization with local clubs in nearly every major city and many smaller cities. They exist for the purpose of helping people improve their public speaking and leadership skills
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Often individuals give 5-7 minute speeches. Many Toastmasters use what Daren Lacroix calls a very weak opening.
Speech Intro Tip #22: Consider not opening with Mr. (or Madam) Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters, and guests.
If you have visited a club, you'll notice that it is very customary to say, "Mr. Toastmasters, fellow Toastmasters, and guests." Consider listening to Daren Lacroix and following this advice. Instead, first grab attention and then 10-40 seconds into the presentation you can use this opening (which is good to use).
Think of this line as being like the credits and title scene on your favorite TV show. Do they show those first? No. First, they launched into an action scene to grab your attention, and then they roll the credits. Do the same with your speeches, and it will create a better experience for the audience.
Thursday, September 1st, 2011 at 2:14 AM
You've grabbed the audience's attention and are connecting with the audience. What next?
Speaking Tip #20: Preview the Speech
Give the audience a brief overview of what you will be saying.
You will learn how to set goals in three simple steps.
You will learn why drunk driving is such a problem and what we can do to help.
Consider phrasing the overview in "You" terms. Not "I will share", but "You will learn."
Previewing the speech will help your audience remember it and keep their attention.
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Last week I heard a great tip from Daren Lacroix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
Delivery Tip #15: Deliver your opening line to a person on the back row. You'll instantly bring the back row into your speech. This will also bring in the rest of the audience as our eye contact flies over their heads towards the back row. Then we jump into our Figure 8 eye contact pattern or whichever patter you want to use. Combine this public speaking tip with the Hook & Reel Intro and you'll have a powerful opening.
Monday, August 29th, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Several weeks ago I was 5 minutes into my presentation and the computer with my slides choked. Immediately, the technician jumped into gear to get it fixed. What do you do when this happens to you? Do you have a plan for the future (because it will happen)?
There was an obvious distraction as the technician worked to get it fixed. Instead of skipping the slides entirely, I used the next speaking tip.
Presentation Tip #12: Have Several Emergency Stories to Share at a Moments Notice.
I knew that if I kept on my speech road map, I would lose half the audience as they looked at the distraction. immediately, I jumped into a completely unrelated story. The story grabbed the audience's attention back, and kept them involved until the Power point computer came back online. This "off the cuff" story turned a speech pot hole into a launching pad for a better presentation.
Always carry several emergency stories with you to use during a distraction, technical difficulties, or when you have time to kill on stage. If they relate to your presentation, all the better. Use this presentation tip, you will appear in control of the situation and it may actually enhance your presentation. This builds trust and credibility with the audience.
Monday, August 29th, 2011 at 2:14 AM
When you deliver a speech, what is your underlining motive and purpose?
Is it to:
1. Get recognition from the audience, please a boss, satisfy a requirement, win a contest?
2. Serve the audience, help them, and give them a good experience?
The first motive is what motivates most people to get on stage. A work report must be given. There is a Toastmaster Contest. A college class forces participation.
However, once we have committed, our focus needs to quickly switch to the second motive.
Presentation Tip #11: Focus on how you can serve the audience and give them a good experience.
Give to the audience. Think of ways to give them a good experience. Customize your content for them. Entertain them, not yourself.
Walk up with this attitude and your audience will quickly pick up on it. You’ll likely connect better. Because you have an attitude of giving, not taking, the audience will often give back in the form of rapt attention, applause, and even a second invite.
Friday, August 26th, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Three days ago, I heard the great speech coach Patricia Fripp share a speaking tip to make our presentations deliver more punch.
Presentation Tip #5: Put the most important word or phrase at the end of the sentence.
Compare these two sentences.
Persistence is the secret to reaching your goals.
The secret to reaching your goals is persistence.
The second sentence puts persistence, the power word, at the end. This gives more punch to the sentence. Subtle but effective.
For your next speech consider Patricia Fripp’s advice. Skim through your speech, rearrange sentences, and put the most important word or phrase last.
Friday, August 26th, 2011 at 2:14 AM
Has the audience ever been bored during your presentation? Unfortunately, there have been many times I have lost the attention of the audience and bored them. Why? Is it the subject, the delivery, the structure, the lack of stories?
Presentation Tip #3: If the Audience is bored, the problem is not the subject. It may be you.
Ouch! A good speaker can make any subject interesting. Sure, some subjects are more interesting that others, but you can hold the audience's attention with any subject. Use effective story-telling techniques. Speak with passion. Speak to one person. Apply other speaking tips.
Do this and you will wake'm up and your message will hit home.
Thursday, August 25th, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Have you ever heard a speaker give a dead presentation? The speaker sounds bored and the audience is hoping for a fire drill.
Presentation Tip #2: Passion brings any speech & any subject to life.
Deliver a presentation with passion and it will come alive. How can you speak with passion? Choose topics you enjoy. Focus on how your message will help the audience. Act enthusiastic and passionate. Do this and your presentations will come to life and the audience will be disappointed if interrupted by a fire drill.
