London, UK
You'll be aware that any performance requires mental and physical effort and none more so than speaking in public or presenting on a regular basis. You may find by doing these five things, you stay fit for purpose:
1. Eat sensibly.
2. Exercise at least three times a week for an hour each time.
3. Get enough sleep.
4. Find time to relax each day.
5. Ensure you have enough time for a hobby once a week.
London, UK
For the past couple of years I've posted a number of items concerning public-speaking, or rather "how to be better at giving a speech". Along with Nick R Thomas and Lisa Braithwaite, The Media Coach, Alan Stevens, often gives brilliant advice on how to put your point across in public. His short article posted in his weekly e-zine today is no exception.
HOW TO GIVE A REALLY BAD SPEECH
As Yogi Berra used to say "You can learn a lot from watching". Well I've been watching people make speeches for over thirty years, and many of them were fantastic. Some were just average. A few were - well, utterly dreadful would not be too harsh a description. So I've come up with a checklist of how to give a really bad speech. Here it is.
Start badly
Not know how to use the microphone or other technology
Have a confusing message (or no message at all)
Patronise the audience
Read from a script
Turn your back on the audience
Try to tell jokes
Use jargon or technical language
Run out of time
End poorly
No prizes for guessing what you have to do to give a really good speech.
"This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk."
London, UK
Next week Barack Obama replaces George Dubya at The White House. We're gonna miss you George!
London, UK
Annoying things I find about presenters and public-speakers are that they can talk too quickly, have a nervous laugh and sometimes apologise. Why? Lack of preparation, over-confidence, lack of self-esteem? Alan Stevens the Media Coach gets to grips with "sorry" business
I've seen far too many speakers who make self-denigrating opening remarks. OK, the best person to tell a story against is yourself, but don't do it right at the start of your speech. Worst of all, in my view, is the person who wanders on, looking hunched and nervous, handles the mike as though it's a poisonous snake, and then says "I'm not very good at this, and my speech isn't very well prepared"(see the entire blogpost here)
December 4th, 2007
Tips to improve your communication
Posted in Public Speaking, Personal Development, UK at 10:52 am by Jeremy Jacobs
Last night at Riverside Communicators, a member of the audience remarked on something I posted a few months ago on this site. The discussion we had in the Eel Pie pub after the meeting was centred around clarity of speech. Speaking at the right pace certainly helps as that previous post pointed out. How about that for an alliteration?
Here’s the article reproduced in full
20+ Tips to improve your communication
Depending on your line of work your rate of speech can vary. When I’m broadcasting on the radio, it can vary further still. A news bulletin can be around 120 to 130 words per minute. On the other hand, when reporting on a live sports event, that rate can go to 170 wpm or higher.
When conductiong a sales appointment or job interview, it’s very important you remain calm, collected and in control. In those instances, it’s a case of the slower the better.
Whilst I was working with the well known Japanese copier manufacturer in the 1980’s, I attended a special one-day course of the power of telephone sales. I’ve never forgotten these immortal words:
6 As a representative of your company
12 on the telephone, it is important
18 that you speak clearly. That means
24 you must articulate. It also means
32 that you must speak so that you can
38 be understood. Although there is no
44 set rate of speech, most expert
50 speakers talk at between one hundred
56 forty and one hundred sixty words
63 per minute. That is a good speed
68 for telephone communication. It is
75 not too fast to be understood and
82 it does not give the listener the
88 impression that you are under pressure.
93 Nor is it too slow.
100 The one hundred sixty word rate adds
107 an element of dignity to your voice.
114 The one hundred sixty word rate also
122 gives a sound image to the caller that
128 establishes both you and your company
134 as efficient and well-organized. To
141 give the caller the kind of impression
148 of yourself and of your company
154 you wish, speak correctly, speak at
160 one hundred and sixty - that’s one
165 hundred sixty words per minute.
London, UK
Do you agree with the thrust of Alan Stevens post which says - "Only 7% of our communication is conveyed by words (38% tone of voice, 55% body language)"
I side with Alan. You can dress like a tailor's dummy, have the smoothest, sexiest voice but as a presenter or speaker, the content of what you say is key.
In recent times, I've been on courses and have attended talks where the "7% rule" is rammed down people's throats by so-called "public-speaking **experts". Don't believe a word of it. Content, appearance and voice-tone are as important as each other.
** "ex" as in has been, "spurt" as in drip under presssure.
London, UK
I've already waxed lyrical about Geoff Burch's smooth tv presenting style, so here's another plug concerning his appearance on December 2nd at Barnet Football Club
London, UK
A bit tongue-in-cheek this one. Earlier on, I won the "Table Topics" contest at my Toastmasters International speaking club, London Corinthians. For those of you familiar with Toastmasters, Table Topics is all about impromptu speaking. I had about 10 secs to make up my mind what I was going to speak about. Luckily for me, I'm quite quick of mind and thought and managed to beat the five other contestants. This means I go forward to represent London Corinthians at the next round.
How can you be a winner at public speaking?
1. Join a Toastmasters Club
2. Attend reguarly
3. Learn how to become expert at speaking "on-the-cuff"
4. Enter competitions.
Remember, you've got to be in it to win it!
London, UK
Want to be a funny speaker? Then pop along to a workshop being organised by Toastmasters International in West London this Tuesday. Here's a link to the London Speaker blog which has all the details:
London, UK
Lisa Braithwaite, the public-speaking blogger, has just posted an article on the importance of slowing down when one's delivers a speech or presentation. I would add that when delivering news buletins on radio or presenting something live to camera, it's essential that you speak slowly.
Why not try and mouth the words of the newscaster next time you watch the television news. You'll be surprised by the speed of the delivery.
Here's those tips about slowing down:
Slowing down allows you to breathe. When you breathe, you send more oxygen to your brain, you support your voice, and you calm yourself down.
Slowing down allows you to hear yourself talking. When you can hear yourself talking, you're less likely to get ahead of yourself, lose your place or forget your next point.
Slowing down forces you to be concise with your material. You'll have to leave out all the extraneous and non-critical content and just focus on the most meaningful aspects of your message.
London, UK
Last year I posted this over at Jeremy Jacobs.com The article highlights some of the methods you can use to "work your audience". Quite often when I'm speaking at my Toastmasters Club, I get members of the audience to get involved in one way or another.
Dealing with the Audience
• Here are some rules of thumb:
1. For everything from questions to eliciting comments to getting volunteers for crazy group activities, don’t spend time dragging someone who is clearly more comfortable not being in the limelight.
2. When crafting interactive exercises or activities for a seminar or presentation, consider the audience:
* have they seen this kind of thing before?
* Is it too advanced? Too juvenile? ? Too creative? Not creative enough?
* Too verbal? ? Does it require special skills?
* Will it embarrass people beyond where the audience will be comfortable?
3. Interact with your audience through elicit responses to questions you pose. To get answers, don’t merely say, for example, “Can anybody tell me something about their negative experiences in public speaking?” A more sure way to get responses might be to be more specific: “has anyone here ever had terrible speaking experience when called upon to?” Inevitably someone will nod. Gently ask someone who nods if they will elaborate and the conversation will begin. Others will be glad to give their comments if someone starts the ball rolling.
4. Bring people into your world. Ask them to help you by reading lists, or points you have pre-printed, or ask them to write on a flip chart. Give them prizes.
Keep your eyes peeled for more tips.
London, UK
Should you be asked to be an MC at someone's wedding. Here, in my opinion, are the most important tips when it comes to the speeches.
1. Ensure you and the various speakers are aware of how and where to hold the microphone. (As part of your preparation, you would have checked all the technical kit)
2. Make sure you understand how to pronounce their name. e.g Derek Sidebottom could be pronounced "sideebottom" with four rather than three syllables. (I kid you not)
3. Never tell jokes and keep your introduction short.
4. Keep close at hand during the speeches but do not be intrusive.
London, UK
Some of you would have seen this from here in 2006:
Friday, September 01, 2006
How to make it as a public speaker
Flushed with success from last night's London Corinthians meeting, I was asked afterwards by a couple of new members as to how one becomes a professional public speaker.
1. Learn how to speak. Joining London Corinthians or other Toastmaster International clubs is a first great stepping stone. After a period of time, you can join the PSA
2. Get a website
3. Learn how to market yourself. My colleague at the PSA, Graham Jones, has some great advice.
4. Start blogging!
Posted by Jeremy Jacobs at Friday, September 01, 2006
By the way, my Google Ranking at http://www.jeremyjacobs.com is now rated at 4. Regular blogging works!
London, UK
Many of you would have seen the City Salute which was presented by Jeremy Clarkson and broadcast on BBC One earlier this evening. During the hour long programme, actor Ross Kemp narrated a piece written by Field Marshall The Viscount Slim on the attributes of a British soldier. Kemp's delivery was superb and full of passion. It's worth seeing again. It may appear on BBCiPlayer.
London, UK
You may have seen the various posts on my other site in relation to the fear of public-speaking.
This morning at a business breakfast, I gave a talk about how to overcome those nerves! Most of you will have an idea on how to achieve that. There's plenty of blogs out there, Eric Feng, the brilliant Lisa Braithwaite and Nick Thomas to mention just three, who can give you plenty of tips, but you may want to delve deeper. You see, in my view, fear of public speaking doesn't really exist. What does is a fear of being found out, a fear of looking foolish or even a fear of feinting.
Just what is it that makes you nervous in front of others?
London, UK
Another hectic week. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I'm visiting a specialist Web TV production company then on Thursday morning, I'll be speaking about public-speaking at a business breakfast meeting. There's filming for a corporate video on Friday before preparing for my radio show on Sunday.
My guest on "PressPlay" will be top UK physiotherapist, Sammy Margo. Sammy will be talking about her new book "The Good Sleep Guide". It's full of useful tips for those of you who find getting a good night's sleep something difficult to achieve. To listen to Sammy, simply tune in at 10pm this Sunday, April 6th.
London, UK
So the Government has got it wrong (well there's a surprise). This in today's Times on-line:
Thoroughly enjoyed my "mini-holiday" to France this weekend. Getting away, even for a couple of days, really can boost ones spirit. Met loads of new people, learnt plenty and had the opportunity to speak.
Live in the London area and fancy improving your public speaking or leadership skills?
Always wanted to get up speak but you either don't have the confidence or get tongue-tied? Then check out the London Speaker. It's a brand new on-line magazine for members of Toastmasters International speaking clubs. Guests are always welcome at the 17 clubs located in the London.
Jeremy Jacobs - Corporate Presenter
Over at my main site, I've received an interesting comment concerning the fear of public-speaking. It's all to do with of adrenalin. Take a look at Christina's remarks. It may alter your view on your fear of public-speaking.
