It’s that time of year. 35,000 Toastmasters from around the world are creating and delivering 5-7 minute speeches in the spring International Speech Contest. Through a series of judged contests, the top ten will compete in August in Orlando for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.

I have competed several times and have learned 7 keys which will help a person do well in this contest. You are probably thinking, “Arlen, how well did you do?” In 2009 I was in the top 243 out of 35,000 competitors from around the world. The following 7 keys helped me reach that level.

Key #1: Don’t focus on winning the speech contest. Focus on influencing the audience.

Create a speech which will have a lasting impact on the audience. Walk in with this focus and you will have a winning speech no matter how many contests you win.
Key #2: Have one main point or phrase and build the speech around it.
Points from past speeches include:

• Keep on Driving
• Adapt & Advance
• Obligation or Opportunity

Key #3: Use your story to communicate the point.

Share how this truth has impacted you with a stories from your life.

Key #4: “Manipulate your voice to influence the audience” – Rory Vaden

Use vocal variety to influence the feelings of the audience. Speed up to create excitement. Slow down to drive a point home.

Key #5: Pause

Pause before and after a key point. Pause for humor. Pause to let your truth sink in.

Key #6: Open Hot, Close Hotter

According to Patrica Fripp, the first and last 30 seconds of any speech are crucial. Grab attention and launch into your speech. If you say, “Fellow Toastmaster, …” say it 20-30 seconds in and not as your opening line.

This is a motivational speech. The last 30 seconds to should leave them on a high and leave a great impression on the judges.

Key #7: Speak from the Heart

Here is an excellent example of a speech by Rory Vaden from the 2007 World Championship.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

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One of the best story tellers I have heard is Ed Tate, the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking.

As you watch notice three story telling tips:

• The use of the “pause”
• Details to set the scene in our mind
• A good point

Enjoy!

 

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

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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
.

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.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

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It’s spring and 35,000 Toastmasters from around the world are competing for the coveted title of World Champion of Public Speaking. Through a series of contests, 9 finalists will emerge and compete in Las Vegas later this year for the title.

I am not competing this year due to being an Area Governor. I highly recommend taking part in these contests for your personal growth.

For those of you who are, Here are two steps that have helped in my Toastmasters Speech Preparation

Step #1: Choose a truth, statement, or idea that has positively impacted your life.

In past contests I have used:

• Obligation or opportunity
• Keep on driving
• Adapt and advance

They can be longer, but you’ll notice that most of the winning speeches have a key point.

Step #2: Use personal story(s) to illustrate how these truths have impacted your life.

Here is one example.

You may be wondering, “How has this worked for you?”

Good question.

Year 1: Won three contests and placed third at district.  Did not put enough humor in my speech and it was my first time competing.

Year 2: Reached the top 244 in the world. Was told my vocal variety was lacking. Plus, I made a major change the day before and did not practice it enough.

Year 3: I brought my “B” game to the contest and the winner brought his “A” game. Lost at Division. Should have read my article on preparation.

So yes there is more than just following these two steps, but they will make a great foundation for your speech.

What truth has impacted you? What are some personal stories that illustrated the truth? Put the answers together and you have a jump start on your journey to world champion.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

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Have you heard of Toastmasters? If not, the term may inspired images of gray haired men giving toasts with brass mugs. Far from it. If you want to improve your leadership skills and speaking skills, Toastmasters is an effective and inexpensive way to do it.

What is Toastmasters?

According to the official site

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations.

In the city of Wichita, KS, there are 15 local clubs. Most meet weekly for an hour, though mine (Semi-Pro) meets twice a month. A typical meeting consists of:

• Three 5-7 minute speeches
• An evaluation of each of those speeches.
• Several 1-2 minute “Off the Cuff” speeches.
• Plus several other activities geared towards improving speaking skills.

Find a club and check it out for free.

Back to the original question.

Why Should I join Toastmasters?

1. Crush your fear of public speaking and become more confident in front of an audience.
2. Become a better speaker through the training and practice.
3. Eradicate the distracting “Um’s” and “Uh’s” from your speech. Toastmasters has a simple, but powerful way of doing this.
4. Become a better leader.
5. Expand your network.
6. Take your speaking skills to another level by entering in the spring and fall contests.
7. Share your knowledge and mentor other speakers.
8. Get $3,000 training for just a few dollars at the District Conferences.

Find out more about the 2010 Fall District Conference

You may be thinking, “I am an advanced speaker and speak quite a bit already. How will Toastmasters help me?”

Great question. Including the above benefits you’ll be able to:

• Refine parts of your current speeches and practice sections in Toastmasters. (The Pro’s practice each section of their speech many times in front of different audiences.”
• Refine your skills. There have been times I thought I was a really good speaker. Then I was blown away by the skills of other Toastmasters. This friendly competition pushes me to new levels.
• Increase your circle of influence. 80-90% of speakers get booked because of someone who heard them. Do a great job and someone may approach you after the meeting and ask for your business card.

What if you are completely new to speaking? Toastmasters is a great environment for not just the advanced, but also the beginner. Every person in your club will be able to relate with any mistakes you make. It is the perfect environment for growing.

What does Toastmasters cost?

About twenty cents a day. Depending on the club, your yearly due will be about $60. That’s an inexpensive investment with a large return.

How to find out more about Toastmasters?

Find a local club and go visit (It’s free). Check out Rob’s site for additional articles on Toastmasters.

(C) Arlen Busenitz – Speakinginfo.com

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

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