Public Speaking Tips

Public Speaking and  Your Audience

sofia@speak2us.com.au

Never Apologise. For example, never ever begin your presentation with "I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous and I haven't had time to prepare."

Instead, smile and say something lively and encouraging like "I'm delighted to be here to tell you how we have anticipated your needs and ..... 

Forget about you.  Concentrate on them.  Speak naturally - chat to the audience a you would over coffee. They'll love it.

Present your information in bite-sized pieces by limiting the information to

3 key points.

Learn to "read" your listeners so that you can tailor your message if necessary.

Finish with some form of call to action - or by summarising the key points. 

Leave your audience laughing, thinking, or feeling - but don't just leave them wondering whether you have finished.

Have fun!  Enjoy it and your audience will too! 

Public Speakers' Tips on Protocol

Speak2us Canberra for Public Speaking Tips

sofia@speak2us.com.au

The Speaker's space  is usually a "home base" and one or two points of travel.

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The difference between a podium (small platform for a speaker), stage, lectern (a reading desk)  So when you are MC name the space correctly.

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When introducing a speaker - do a nice build up - if appropriate.  Refer to them but don't use their name until the end.  And, be in control of where you want the applause to happen.  Finish off with the magic words - the speaker's name.

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When introducing a speaker - hand over the space - don't leave it vacant.

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If you are to be introduced - don't take chance - write your own introduction. (And, if you have a name like mine (Sofia Majewski) put the pronunciation in phonetics.  (May-ev-ski.)

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If you are introducing a speaker - consult with them beforehand - find out how they want to be introduced and check the pronunciation of their name.  (Can be very inelegant if you don't and then mispronounce their name.)

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Memorise your opening. Make it Bold/Catchy/Dramatic/Memorable, anything but Apologetic/Boring/Cautious/Dull.

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You can find ways of speaking a short opening sentence and the follow with the traditional "Ladies and Gentlemen"   or try "Gentlemen and Ladies" but not Bette Midler's "Ladies and Germs."

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You must void cliches like "And, now without further ado" or I will put the Public Speaking police on to you.  Others to avoid include "anytime soon", "revert back", "going forward", "cover off" "general consensus" (Consensus is already general)  and "very unique."  (Unique 
is an absolute. It can't be very unique or almost unique or "a bit unique"

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Avoid saying "As I said earlier."  You're lucky if anyone remembers what you said earlier.
Say what?

Fear of Public Speaking - What do you feel throughout your body when you speak in public?

In my workshops and working with individual clients one - to one, I coach my clients to enjoy their public speaking roles.

What they often say is that they suffer from "nerves".  In extreme cases, they can throw up, or even freeze so they are unable to perform.  In other cases they might go pink or red in the chest and throat and face, as they begin to speak. One of my clients gave a six minute speech to a room of 250 people and reported that his left leg shook the whole time.  (Fortunately he was behind a solid lectern.  If it had been a perspex lectern he would probably have been seriously embarrassed.)

It's more than sad that very often people will avoid the opportunity to speak and present in public.  Sometimes for a whole life time.

What do you feel throughout your body when you speak in public?

What is the remedy to this thing we call nerves?  It's all in the preparation.  You see, 90% of how well you will perform is already determined before you start to speak.  So, you can wing it on the 10% if you choose, or you can get some help from a good speaking coach.  There are so many techniques you can use, depending upon your personality, experience and willingness to learn.

Let's pin a few points down:

1.  It's normal.  If you experience nervousness in your body - it's a normal and human response.  In fact, Mark Twain used to say (long ago of course) that there are two kinds of people in this world - those who are nervous at speaking in public and those who are liars!

2.  Let's rename it.  Let's call it "Nervous Energy."  You need it - you need that flow of nervous energy in order to do a good performance.




3.  Let's remember.  You can't CONTROL it.  But you can MANAGE it.  HOW?

• You will feel more nervous on the inside than anyone in the audience can tell on the outside.

• Do some research for yourself on DIAPHRAGM BREATHING.  Breathing from the diaphragm will be your greatest friend and ally.  (Check my earlier blogs.)

• Think of your talk/presentation as "sharing information with friends."  Talk TO your audience, not AT them.

• Rehearse out loud.  Rehearse out loud.  Rehearse out loud.

• Know your opening lines off by heart.  Know your closing statement off by heart.

• Tell yourself it's going to be great.    Enjoy your speaking roles.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that will get you more quickly to where you want to be in life and in your career that the ability to think on your feet, choose the right words and speak with confidence!

Speaking about Public Speaking in 2014

Season's Greetings to all.

Exciting to think of the New Year ahead.  Summer in Canberra is very laid back.  Resting, cricket, gardening, squash - a bit of singing practice - "Caro Mio Ben" - hope to work up to "O Mio Babbino Caro" and a favourite of mine "Oh My Papa" - to me he was so wonderful.  

Presented the World Vibe Program at ArtSound 92.7  www.artsound.fm
Played festive songs -Lullabies from Latvia, Poland, Greece,  but no elevator christmas carols. Left that to the Department Stores!!  (Will they stop now?)

Sofia Majewski - Speak2Us

  Tony Ozanne's "Small" Business Project for Canberra's Centenary Year 2013

How you can lose your fear of public speaking and become an entertaining speaker. And, how
your range of interests, sports, hobbies have a part to play in your business.  To speak well in public aim for interest and variety rhythm and flow!

For Good Public Speaking get yourself a Good Public Speaking Coach

Your Unique Voice

Public speaking is not a team sport.  That's why most good speakers have had a speaking coach.  A speaking coach works with you, the individual.  You have a unique voice (you don't have to tell your mum who you are when you call her - she knows your voice intimately.)

You have a unique story and you have lots of stories that you can weave into your talks and presentations. 

You have a unique style and your own brand of humour - you don't need to copy anyone.  You are enough.  You are unique.

You probably don't have all the contemporary speaking techniques.  "Do it Yourself" doesn't really work for learning to speak confidently. 

And you can't give yourself feedback.  You can't do your own critique.  It takes that "look from the outside" which is why good speakers have a good coach.

I sing, so I have a Voice Coach.  I play Squash, so I have a Squash Coach.


Here's why:  

90%

of how well you perform

is already determined 

before you reach

your performing space

So, get yourself a good coach for private coaching sessions.  Practise like mad. And you can't go wrong!

The Bridegroom Speaks.....Wedding Speech - Bridegroom

Wedding Speeches are now rarely as formal as they used to be.  Brides, Grooms, Best Man, Father of the Bride – all have freedom to adapt their speeches to their own personality and creativity.

Upon request, I write the entire speech, or I help to put it together from your draft.

Here’s one idea from the many wedding party speeches I have had the pleasure to write or edit.

___________________________________________________________________________

Step 1.  Thank You……….

To the MC for introducing you……….

Thank you,  (to your Best Man),  for your kind words  (He has just spoken about you)

Step 2.  How you are feeling, right at that moment……..

What a fantastic day!       There are some days you wish would never end.  And this is one of those days!  I’ve just married the sweetest person I’ve ever met.  And we are surrounded by our family and friends.

It’s so good to see you all.  It makes me realise that through our marriage - we are all connected.

We thank you for your good wishes and for your support. 

For some, it’s been a fair journey. 

Travelling from Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria.    

My good friends, Darren and Mia, travelling from Jakarta.

To see you here today makes it even more special for us.  And we thank you for being with us to celebrate this magic day! 

Step 3.  Direct Thank you to Parents and Groomsmen

Matt and Lesley……..Michelle’s parents

and  my parents,  John and Jackie

Thank you for all you have done for us in the lead up to our big day.  Your efforts and generosity have come together to make it truly special.

Thank you Mum and Dad for your guidance and support.  You have always been there for me as loving parents and great friends to Michelle. 

Darren and  Sam, it’s an honour to have you as my Groomsmen.  Thank you for your support today and your friendship.

Step 4. Entertaining Story

As one of the special dividends of our wedding,   I get to inherit another family – Michelle’s  family.  

Thank you for welcoming me       so warmly.  And thank you Matt and Lesley for being the parents of my beautiful bride.

It took me a while to get around to proposing, but I always knew I wanted to marry, you,  Michelle. 

And I’m sure all of you here and anyone who has ever met Michelle would understand exactly why.

Now, Matt (her father) might have told this a bit differently, but this is the official version

After a few years, it was time.   I bought the ring, overcame the nerves and had the big talk with Matt ……………………

I then headed down to Kiama for a week of fishing.  Michelle was to meet me there a week later. Kiama is one of our favourite spots for fishing and relaxing.  We like to grab a rug, a bit of food, a drink or two and maybe a rod ‘n bait, depending on the tide.

Michelle got in first.    “well I know you’re not going to propose this trip, because you haven’t spoken to my Dad”. “ Well…ah…I did.”    She didn’t believe me.  “I would know if you had asked my Dad, he didn’t mention  anything”.

I then grabbed my dry bag, took a second to breathe , and out with the ring.   Before I could pop the question, Michelle crash tackled me.  ( I don’t think either of us could believe it.)   I then asked her with gasping breath as she squeezed the life out of me “will….. you…… marry…….. me?”   ……………….. Thankfully she said    “ yes “      -       

And here we are!  One of the happiest moments of my life!

Michelle is by far the sweetest person I have ever met. She brightens up the day of anyone she deals with and she’s always so generous. She is devoted to her family and friends and does not give love or friendship in half measures. These are just a few of her qualities that I cherish.

Step 5. Speaking directly to the bride

Michelle, my life with you has been so good.  I am so happy knowing that we now have the rest of our lives to live it together.  You look so beautiful today.  

And your Bridesmaids beside you have completed the picture.

Step 6. Toast to the Bridesmaids

 Lynda, and Naomi, Thank you for helping Michelle enjoy her day and making it so wonderful!

It’s my pleasure to ask you to fill your glasses and raise them in a toast to......The Bridesmaids Love and happiness always, Lynda and Naomi, Michelle’s  Bridesmaids!