Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Find your unique voice

 
Three key elements in speaking to an audience:

PREPARE YOURSELF

PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE

PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE

Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!

1.    PREPARE YOURSELF

§  Find a  routine that you know relaxes you

§  Diaphragm Breathing relaxes your body and puts your voice in good shape.  The "production area" of your voice is in the core of your body – your diaphragm; and is the very basis of your speaking voice.

§  Confirm to yourself  (Self Talk) that you know the PURPOSE of your talk and you know the main facts.  Being familiar with your speech will negate any nerves.

§   You are going to do a fabulous job!

§  Believe in yourself

§  Be friends with your voice – do some yawns, hums, KA, GA ,HA , and deep breaths to release any tension in neck and shoulders

§  Grab that spotlight!   Enjoy and have fun!

2.    PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE

§  Who is your audience?

§  What do they know about the subject of your message?

§  What is the relationship between you and the people you are talking to?          

§  What’s in it for you?

§  What’s in it for them?

§  Connect with them in every way you know how – pose questions – have them answering  “yes or no” or at least nodding, wherever appropriate.  Once you have the audience’s attention – try not to let it go.

3.    PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE (ENVIRONMENT)

§  Get a feel for your speaking space

§  Make sure all your technical equipment is working before you start

§  Avoid getting rushed or stressed into answering questions on the spot.  Maybe delay until a better time for you?  Better still, learn the art of answering questions

§  “Walk through” your performance which starts from when you rise from your chair to go to the speaking space.

§  Rehearse in the speaking space if possible
Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!


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