Public Speaking Tip: Gestures
Gestures
What can you share with us on hand gestures?
What should and shouldn't people do? Thanks. ~ Eliezer
A: Tips on gestures:
What should you do?
1. Be natural. In casual conversations we never think, "What should I do with my hands?" When we start thinking about that we become tense, concerned and afraid of looking unprofessional.
2. Watch people from a distance. Notice how they communicate with their hands. None of it's planned or contrived. Yet it all seems to fit.
3. Exercises. If you're really stiff when speaking then use random patterns when practicing. Do not practice specific gestures. If you do you'll get thrown off when you don't do that exact motion during your presentation.
By random I mean stretch your arms out and spin them in circles while you talk. Place your hands on your head and tap you fingers. This frees your mind from worrying about exact positions. After using this exercise several times, you'll notice that your gestures just seem to happen.
4. Become aware of your personal gestures. In the middle of conversations remind yourself to notice your gestures. You'll discover what you do naturally. You'll become more confident because you'll find out that what you already do with your hands is all you need to do.
What should you not do?
1. Don't become gesture phobic. Your tone is more important than your movement. When speaking on the phone, no one can see your motion, but they can hear your emotion.
2. Don't get tense and forget to smile. You can have the best gestures on the planet, but if your face looks angry nobody will notice your hands.
3. Don't get tight. Make sure any gestures you use are broad. For example: Don't lock your elbows to
your sides so your forearms are moving, but your upper arms are not. I see this a lot.
4. Don't limit yourself. Use natural variety. If the moment calls for your hands high, then go high. If low, then go low. Allow your words to dictate your movement. DO NOT allow your movement to dictate your words.
Public Speaking Tip: Great Speaking
A Great Speaker
Paul, how long does it take to become a great speaker?
J.K. Hamberg
Hi J.K.
If you mean great as in “people talk about the message days after the event.” Then the answer is not long. However, if you mean how long does it take to become a “celebrity” speaker, then it can take a while. The following thoughts center the first meaning.
BECOMING A GREAT SPEAKER:
1. Know your subject internally, not just intellectually. Great speakers share from their experience along with their knowledge. Anyone can study a subject and give a decent talk - though it might not be in depth.
2. Know your audience personally, not just possibly. If we have to guess about the hurts and hopes of those in the seats, we'll lose every time. However, when we take the time to research, learn names, engage in small talk, etc. then the personal connection will take us to the next level in the eyes of the crowd.Plus we will be able to speak to specific issues that pertain to their lives.
3. Know how to be thrilled, not just skilled. Great speakers have something extra than the good speaker…passion. Passion for the topic AND the people. You could take a skilled speaker, give him/her someone else's material and chances are high the individual would go from great to good, or even poor. But take a skilled speaker, add passion, and you'll get a thrilled speaker. Thrilled to be sharing, thrilled that the audience will gain information that will change their destiny, and thrilled that he/she will be invited back again.
4.Know your place, not just your position. The truly GREAT speakers are humble. If the meeting planner says you have twenty-minutes do not go over that time limit. If your travel expenses are being paid through an expense account, don't abuse it.
J.K., as you can see becoming great has more to do with character than just ability.
Public Speaking Tip: Presentation
Presentation Skills: Play Off Another’s Comments
The following example is about humor, but it will work for any situation.
One of my ongoing humor takes is my height. At 5’6” I’m not tremendously short, but I’m not tall by any means. So I look for opportunities to make fun of myself when another person is speaking.
This past weekend I was in Orlando presenting to a couple of thousand people. The night before I was to speak the platform had a truck on each side and a Sea-Doo onstage. A magician/comedian named Brian who I had been with at several events mentioned during his session that I would need a phone book to stand on if I was going to be seen behind the Sea-Doo.
When I spoke to the assembly on Saturday I played off his comments. I put an Orlando phone book (about six inches thick!) in a carry bag and walked onstage. Without saying a word I pulled it from the bag, held it up for everyone to see, dropped it from shoulder height - it hit the stage like thunder, I stepped on it, smiled, and the crowd applauded and laughed.
Anytime you play off another’s comments you build rapport and show that you’re connected to the entire program, not just your portion.
First, always be attentive to what is being said when you’re not speaking. Even if you are not mentioned personally, you can play off comments. Maybe someone shares an interesting statistic that you would like to cite again. Perhaps a quote so good it bears repeating.
Second, blend it in naturally. Don’t force it. You want it to flow out of your speech spontaneously. It should not appear or sound canned. Say it like you would to a friend at the water cooler.
Third, don’t over do it. One or two per engagement is plenty.
Public Speaking Tip: "Professional"
“I’ve Got to Be Professional.”
Not even close. You’ve got to be YOU. We always excel when being ourselves rather than being fake.
People are so worried about what other people think that it paralyzes. Being “professional” sends most speakers into fit worthy of a straight jacket. We need to loosen up and enjoy the journey.
For example, last week I attended a Jeffrey Gitomer seminar (www.gitomer.com). He has a blast. The meeting was in a posh hotel. Lots of business types were there in their thousand-dollars suits. Jeffrey walked with a striped work shirt on and patches attached with his name embroidered. Not very “professional.”
Jeffrey threw gifts to the crowd. Not very “professional.” Made fun of guys with hair (he’s almost bald). Not very “professional.” He used fake vomit. Not very “professional.” And his vocabulary supported his Philly background. Not very “professional.”
It was great.
So how do you become professional without being “professional?”
1. Know how far is too far. Stretch without snapping the group. If you have a question about something being appropriate, ask the event organizer.
2. Take risks. Go out on a limb. Step out on the ledge. Make it a goal to try one new thing each talk just to see how it goes.
3. Loosen up. Don’t allow professional paralysis to overtake you. Before you step to the stage, think of your favorite part of the presentation and smile to yourself.
4. Know your stuff. The better you know your material the more confidence you will gain. That doesn’t mean memorize. Ask your grandmother her buttermilk biscuit recipe and she probably can’t give it to you. She just knows how to make biscuits. She knows her stuff. Know yours.
And stop being so professional.
Public Speaking Tip: Pace
Keep a Fast Pace
FUN
Design and deliver messages that you enjoy. Question: Are your talks fun? Tougher question: Are your listeners having fun?
APPLICABLE
When people show up to listen, we need to give them something that makes them glad they did. That means they can leave the event with the tools of positive change. Question: What are you giving people that they can use immediately in their lives? Tougher question: What are you giving that they can’t wait to apply?
SHARP
Sharp – opposite of dull. Sharp – tuned in. Sharp – clued in. Question: Do people use the word “sharp” to describe your messages? Tougher question: Do people use the word “sharp” to describe you?
TOUCH
Talks filled with content are critical, but emotion is vital as well. Content hits the head. Emotion hits the heart. Question: What part of your message hits the group emotionally? Tougher question: How emotional are you about the message?
Any speech or presentation can be F.A.S.T. paced. Don’t discount it. Most of us think, “Well, my people are too sophisticated for that,” or “You don’t know the situation I’m in. I have to give quarterly financial reports, how can you make that F.A.S.T.?” By being creative. If you take what everyone thinks will be dull and make it fun, you’ll be a hero.
Public Speaking Tip: Ruining Your Speech
10 THINGS THAT WILL RUIN YOUR SPEECH1) Reading from notes. Do not read, do not memorize, learn. Know your material intimately. Practice, not the words but the ideas, the points. Become the message.
2) Fidgeting.Nothing is more distracting than a speaker who constantly fidgets, paces, fumbles with papers, microphones etc. Do more than practice your words, rehearse delivery.
3) Avoiding eye contact
Eye contact is one of the most important things you can do. Looking up, down, and all around is very distracting and shows a lack of preparation and regard for your audience.
4) Being Monotone
Ug, that guy just droned on and on. All great orators are married to their words through emotion. If you cannot get excited enough about your message that emotion comes naturally, change your subject.
5) Standing behind a lecternLecterns have a purpose. Traditionally they are used to hold/conceal notes and support a microphone. This is okay for presidents and priests. However if you truly wish to engage an audience (A must if you intend to sell them something. Venture out away from the lectern from time to time.)
6) Misplaced, misguided, or inappropriate humor
Humor is not mandatory. Moreover I have never liked jokes from the podium. Funny stories that illustrate a point can be powerful. But humor for humor sake can back fire. Off color, sexiest, or inflammatory remarks can get you mugged.
7) Having a poor or non-existent introduction
Prepare a compelling, provocative intro and have the person doing the intro practice a few times while you critique.
8) Ignoring your allotted amount of time.You were asked to fill a certain time frame, stick to it. Besides people will turn you off as soon as dinner is served or tee times approach.
9) Poor use of props
FAR too many presenters have become prop dependent. Props should serve to give impact to your points, to offer visual confirmation. They should never be used as a substitute. Use props to engage your listeners, to offer evidence. But never allow them to get in the way of you!
10) SUCKING!
All speakers have off days. However that should be the exception. You have no right to suck all the time. If people are willing to give you one hour of their time, you must give them a minimum of ten hours of your time in terms of preparation. Reprinted from "Publicity Prospecting" a free ezine featuring trips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity, powerful prospecting skills, sales closing techniques and advanced skills for the professional speaker. Subscribe at http://www.michaelphart.com/ and receive FREE our report "How to Write The Perfect Press Release"
Michael’s right. Don’t suck. Get to his website and sign up for his Publicity Prospecting ezine. Then click the link below to secure your “I Don’t Suck as a Speaker” instant insurance.
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
Part 1: Your Own Ezine/Newsletter
In this article…
Ezine (E) = Electronic Magazine
Newsletter (N) = Offline & printed
Your own E or N allows you to build a customer list, deliver valuable content, and offer your service/products.
1. Build YOUR Customer List.
Who needs your services? Those are the people you want to target for your list. An (E) asks people to sign up, so offer something attractive that makes the prospect want to get involved. A (N) can be sent directly by mail to anyone you choose.
2. Deliver Valuable Content.
An (E) or (N) must help your clients. Create articles, suggestions, tips, or recommendations that ooze value.
Whether your editions are just a few lines or several pages does not matter as long the information helps. The easier to apply the better.
3. Offer Your Services and Products.
It’s your (E) (N), so feel free to promote your stuff. Not arrogantly, but humbly and helpfully.
If you want to investigate further…
http://www.busymarketing.com/ezine.shtml
http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/newsletter.shtml
http://ezineadhelper.com/donesia/ezine1.htm
Most of the principles in those articles apply to an (N) as well. The major difference is postage and printing.
One of the greatest advantages of a communication business is the freedom. One of my main goals for the year is going with my boys on all their school field trips.
This morning we went to “Let’s Pretend Hospital.” While learning about the ER one of the moms asked, “What do you do that lets you take off during the day?”
I briefly explained.
“Do you do motivational speaking?”
“Sure.”
“Our managers really need some pumping up. They get discouraged because of the type of people they face,” she continued.
“Well, I could come in and teach them how to reformat their thinking so circumstances or poor attitudes would not affect them. Also, they would not only get motivated the way you want, they could learn several techniques to change the attitude of the person in front of them.”
She looked excited, “That’s exactly what we need. What are your fees? I want to set up two or three special days for them.”
Lesson: A casual conversation can lead to a booking. When someone tells you a business problem offer your services as a solution.
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Create a Speaker’s Website that Sells
Last week I booked three engagements because of my websites.
Find out more:
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/speakersweb.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 2: Articles
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Articles are basically free advertising. When you read a magazine or ezine, do you remember the articles or the ads? Articles inform and can secretly sell, while ads are blatant selling.
1. Target the periodicals and newspapers you want to appear in. Their readership needs to be filled with those who can book you, or buy your products. What are your buyers reading? Find out and get in front of them in print.
2. What’s their #1 problem? Write an article that tells them step by step WHAT they need in place to solve it. Telling a person what to do is not the same as telling them how to do it. Tell what, and sell how.
3. Write a byline that that proves you know HOW to solve the issue. “Jane Doe helped Giant Company Name solve Giant Problem. She loves helping organizations reach The Positive Outcome for Solving the Problem. Visit Jane online JaneTheGiantProblemKiller.com”
4. Articles will also bring business through credibility. Put copies of your article on a table in the back of the room for people to pick up after you speak. You not only show that your information is valuable, but that others were willing to print it commercially.
If you’re really serious about learning to write great articles get to: http://hop.clickbank.net/?instantspk/ezarticles Jim Edwards has written a fantastic ebook on the subject. Though it’s written primarily to use articles to drive traffic to your website you can easily apply it to different media sources. More than that, Jim’s article templates are priceless. http://hop.clickbank.net/?instantspk/ezarticles
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 3: Word of Mouth
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First, use YOUR mouth. Tell everyone you’re a professional speaker. Ask about upcoming events. Ask about weekly meetings. Ask if they know anyone who needs a speaker. Follow up by email, letter, or phone with the contacts you’ve made.
Second, use the mouths of others. Pat Gregory from G2 Productions gave my name to Marlo Goldsman after some recent work together. He called me and said, “Paul I gave your name to Marlo about some presentations.” I didn’t wait for her to call; I tracked Marlo down and got the appointment.
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
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ISS & ISSP Feedback
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Absolutely, with out any doubt, question or hesitation; buy it. Paul's system is the intelligent individual's alternative to working their way up what some claim you have to challenge - the long slope, the hard way.
Everyone will tell you that you need a press kit, and a video and a book...InstantSpeakingSuccess is the sure-fire, get the job done, uncomplicated way to take you to your next level. Even if you're just getting started or especially if you have a couple of years under your belt and want to get paid more, this is it. If you're frustrated with the time and expense Vs. payoff ratio as I was, get both ebooks and get going. If you feel "dumb" -like you're on the outside looking in and as though everyone else at the speaker meetings knows more than you, now you can be dumb as a fox. Bottom line: both products continue to work for me, exactly as stated. Speaking to business people about how to make their web sites rank at the top of the search engines is actually getting to be fun. Thank you, Paul.
Peter Stone pstone695@earthlink.net
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/spk.htm
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/speakersweb.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 4: News Worthy
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Don’t forget to contact your newspaper to announce anything new you are adding to your speaking, seminar schedule, or offerings. Here’s are some tips from Press Release Writing to make sure your press release is truly newsworthy.
1. Make sure the information is newsworthy.
2. Tell the audience that the information is intended for them and why they should continue to read it.
3. Start with a brief description of the news, then distinguish who announced it, and not the other way around.
4. Ask yourself, "How are people going to relate to this and will they be able to connect?"
5. Make sure the first 10 words of your release are effective, as they are the most important.
6. Avoid excessive use of adjectives and fancy language.
7. Deal with the facts.
8. Provide as much contact information as possible: Individual to contact, address, phone, fax, email, Web site address.
9. Make sure you wait until you have something with enough substance to issue a release.
10. Make it as easy as possible for media representatives to do their jobs.
For a sample press release, go to:
http://www.press-release-writing.com/sample-press-release.htm
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Public Speaking
#2: The Law of the Mirror
A mirror reflects the image before it. Nothing more, nothing less.
In public speaking we get to choose the mirror. It can be us or the audience.
When the audience is the mirror you tend to reflect its mood and manner. I've seen dozens of public speakers panic when the audience doesn't laugh like expected. Some speakers make it a goal to finish as quickly as possible when
they spot someone dozing off. They receive a negative reflection from the audience. And they become what they see.
However, you can become the mirror. You can have the audience reflect you. The secret is to understand that we all reflect the attitude before us. When someone gets mad at you, haven't you gotten mad in return? When someone is kind, aren't you kind?
The energy level, enthusiasm, and attitude that you present to the group in front of you will be reflected - you control the mirror. How can you keep control of the mirror when you speak?
1. Believe. Insecurity hurts more speakers than arrogance ever has. For every speaker who thinks he or she is "it" there are hundreds who suffer from extreme doubt. They doubt anyone will laugh. They doubt they have anything to say of worth. They doubt they should be the one giving the presentation.
When you believe in your ability to present, your audience will believe as well. Remember, they want you to succeed.
2. Reality. While the mirror only reflects, you can choose to focus on one area of the reflection. Haven't you ever looked into the glass and only noticed what's wrong with your features? Haven't you peered into an audience and only picked up on the negative? The sleeper? The pouter? The rigid?
The reality is that there is always more positive than negative in the mirror. Look
for the people who smile. Watch for the one's leaning toward you to catch every word. Focus on the people who reflect what you want to see.
Control the mirror and the audience will reflect what you place before it.
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 6: Postcards
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1. Crack open your phone book and make a list of every company in your area or region that could use your services. 2. Send them a postcard loaded with the benefits they will receive for hiring you. 3. Follow up with a call five days later.
Why use postcards? Martha Retallick of Postcard Marketing Secrets can tell us best…
1. Postcard marketing is affordablePostcard marketing is affordable, even for the smallest of businesses. A year-long postcard marketing campaign to each name on my mailing list costs less than $6.00 per name per year.
And, better yet, my mailing list rental costs are zero. That's because I created my own list for free.
Before I put any name on my list, I ask myself if this person would be interested in hearing from me on an ongoing basis. If I think so, that individual goes on the list, and, as mentioned previously, it will cost me around $6.00 per name per year to keep her there. If I don't think that someone will want to hear from me regularly, I keep him off the list.
My list includes:
My clients
Prospective clients
People who could send clients or prospects my way
There aren't too many people on my list who aren't personally acquainted with me. So, when they get a postcard from Martha Retallick, they know who this Martha-person is. Thus, they're "hotter" prospects than people whose names came from a commercial mailing list and don't know me at all.
2. Your competition doesn't know you're marketingWhen you're marketing with postcards, your competition doesn't know it. But they'll sure know it if you're advertising in the newspaper!
3. It's easy to track your resultsYour card can tell recipients to bring the card into your store for a special discount. Or it can ask them to use a special ordering code when purchasing from your Website.
4. Postcards are versatileIn a single mailing, you can seek business from prospective customers, and solicit repeat business from existing customers. Better yet, a postcard isn't just something to send through the mail. You can use postcards as oversized business cards, hang tags for your products and mini-information sheets.
5. Your postcards can "brand" you and your businessYour postcards can "brand" you and your business in ways that most marketing materials cannot. If you start and stick to a regular postcard mailing program, you and your business will gain quite a reputation, perhaps even a little notoriety.
6. Testing an offer with postcards is easyJust send your card to a small group of people and see how many of them respond. If you're satisfied with the results, then roll out a bigger mailing!
7. Postcards don't waste people's timePostcards don't waste people's time -- they don't even have to open an envelope to read your message.
8. Postcards don't take up a lot of spaceYour customers can carry them in their pockets, or carry them in their pocketbooks, for that matter. Hey, some of them might even create a postcard display on their refrigerator door!
9. Postcards are inexpensive to print.You could design what's called a "four-up" card -- four cards on one 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper, print the design onto card stock, then cut the sheet into four cards
10. Postcards are cheap to redeemBetter yet, they have no cost until your customers redeem them.
About the Author
Martha Retallick is an avid (and some say rabid) postcard marketer from Tucson, Arizona, USA. Examples of her postcards can be seen at http://graphicdesign.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.Lrpdesigns.com/cardshow.html You can subscribe to her free Postcard Marketing Secrets e-zine at http://graphicdesign.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.postcardmarketingsecrets.com/newsletter.html
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 7: Become a Newspaper Columnist
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You must be visible to attract business. A regular column in your newspaper, or a syndicated column will keep you in the client or prospect’s eye. The following link gives you ten steps to become a newspaper columnist.
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol17/columnist.htm
Want the fastest way to get started speaking for money, and make $1000+ in only four engagements?
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 8: Don’t Need the Business
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Don’t need the business? Isn’t this series about getting business? Yes, but nothing seems to attract more business than not needing it. Nothing repels more business than desperation.
Why does it work that way?
1. ”Needing” erects barriers that prevent gaining. It twists our mindset toward the negative. “Why does she get all the engagements?” “What makes him so popular? I’m just as good.” Whether we like it or not, people can pick up on such negativity and it will prevent us from being hired.
2. Confidence connects. When you are secure about the number of times you speak a year and the value given, it doesn’t matter if you get the gig or not. This is one time when not caring works to your advantage. It strikes a chord with the buyer, which builds rapport making him/her more likely to hire you.
3. Desperation reeks of amateurism. Any tone of “I r-e-a-l-l-y want to speak to your group,” puts the buyer on guard and creates harmful questions. Questions like, “If this speaker is so good, why does he need this booking so badly?”
How to not be needy…
1. Check your schedule. You might have every date open for the next ten years, but you don’t have to tell anyone! Without being unethical, let the meeting planner know you don’t want to conflict with other important events. My important events: my family first, and other engagements second.
2. Ask questions. Desperate people don’t want details, they just want business. When I’m talking to planners about an event I’m not worried about convincing them that I’m the right one for their affair, I want them to prove to me that they are worth the time and effort. If there is groveling involved, I’m not going. Get it?
3. Don’t take everything. Speak where you want to speak. If that means you’re on the road 24/7 fine it’s your choice. If you want to speak once a month for a civic club, great. When you’re choosey it implies scarcity. When people think they might not be able to get you that’s when they really get interested.
Want the fastest way to get started speaking for money, and make $1000+ in only four engagements?
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 9: Audio Give-away
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Recording a short, ten to fifteen minute, audio tape/CD can be used as a business builder. First, since you’re a speaker it automatically showcases your ability. Second, it’s different than the usual business card handoff.
1. Deliver content. You may want to take your three-five best points and hit them fast. Don’t think they won’t need you if they have your highlights. They need you to know how to apply them. Another option is taking clips from live presentations working them into a “greatest hits” audio. Whatever you choose the person should be better off for listening.
2. Make it clear. Low quality recording basically says, “I’m low quality.” Use a digital recorder, or if you have a late model computer you can record and burn your own CDs.
3. Label professionally. Put your name and contact information on the audio, and IN the audio.
4. Tell them what you want them to do. Don’t just record and hand out tapes. That’s a nice gift. But to get business close the segment with the benefits the person will gain from hiring you. Provide reasons for them to call and book you immediately.
Unless you feel you can easily handout 500+, you don’t need full processing services. When you get to that point consider http://www.discmakers.com/
Want the fastest way to get started speaking for money, and make $1000+ in only four engagements?
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 6: Postcards
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1. Crack open your phone book and make a list of every company in your area or region that could use your services. 2. Send them a postcard loaded with the benefits they will receive for hiring you. 3. Follow up with a call five days later.
Why use postcards? Martha Retallick of Postcard Marketing Secrets can tell us best…
1. Postcard marketing is affordablePostcard marketing is affordable, even for the smallest of businesses. A year-long postcard marketing campaign to each name on my mailing list costs less than $6.00 per name per year.
And, better yet, my mailing list rental costs are zero. That's because I created my own list for free.
Before I put any name on my list, I ask myself if this person would be interested in hearing from me on an ongoing basis. If I think so, that individual goes on the list, and, as mentioned previously, it will cost me around $6.00 per name per year to keep her there. If I don't think that someone will want to hear from me regularly, I keep him off the list.
My list includes:
My clients
Prospective clients
People who could send clients or prospects my way
There aren't too many people on my list who aren't personally acquainted with me. So, when they get a postcard from Martha Retallick, they know who this Martha-person is. Thus, they're "hotter" prospects than people whose names came from a commercial mailing list and don't know me at all.
2. Your competition doesn't know you're marketingWhen you're marketing with postcards, your competition doesn't know it. But they'll sure know it if you're advertising in the newspaper!
3. It's easy to track your resultsYour card can tell recipients to bring the card into your store for a special discount. Or it can ask them to use a special ordering code when purchasing from your Website.
4. Postcards are versatileIn a single mailing, you can seek business from prospective customers, and solicit repeat business from existing customers. Better yet, a postcard isn't just something to send through the mail. You can use postcards as oversized business cards, hang tags for your products and mini-information sheets.
5. Your postcards can "brand" you and your businessYour postcards can "brand" you and your business in ways that most marketing materials cannot. If you start and stick to a regular postcard mailing program, you and your business will gain quite a reputation, perhaps even a little notoriety.
6. Testing an offer with postcards is easyJust send your card to a small group of people and see how many of them respond. If you're satisfied with the results, then roll out a bigger mailing!
7. Postcards don't waste people's timePostcards don't waste people's time -- they don't even have to open an envelope to read your message.
8. Postcards don't take up a lot of spaceYour customers can carry them in their pockets, or carry them in their pocketbooks, for that matter. Hey, some of them might even create a postcard display on their refrigerator door!
9. Postcards are inexpensive to print.You could design what's called a "four-up" card -- four cards on one 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper, print the design onto card stock, then cut the sheet into four cards
10. Postcards are cheap to redeemBetter yet, they have no cost until your customers redeem them.
About the Author
Martha Retallick is an avid (and some say rabid) postcard marketer from Tucson, Arizona, USA. Examples of her postcards can be seen at http://graphicdesign.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.Lrpdesigns.com/cardshow.html You can subscribe to her free Postcard Marketing Secrets e-zine at http://graphicdesign.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.postcardmarketingsecrets.com/newsletter.html
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 11: Association Leadership
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You should already belong to trade associations that include your business circles. However, the visibility from a leadership position can prove lucrative if you take the responsibility seriously and work it correctly. Most associations find a famine when searching for leadership in the tough positions (president, treasurer, fund raising, planning, etc).
You will not only improve your communication skills, you will become one of the main “go to” people in the organization. This will provide you with opportunities to provide media quotes, meet with potential clients, and put you on the inside track of pertinent information regarding the industry.
Three major benefits come with association leadership…
1. Networking Opportunities. Groups often work together for the common community good. Your position will place you in contact with other leaders.
2. Branding. Leadership helps brand you as an expert. Don’t stay behind the scenes, makes sure the role you play is visible and gets your name out.
3. Awards. Every association has its particular honors program. Gaining recognition from this achievement never hurts and can actually propel you when the distinction is coupled with marketing efforts.
What association do you need to join that you have not already?
What leadership opportunities are available?
How can you take the association and yourself to a higher level?
Want the fastest way to get started speaking for money, and make $1000+ in only four engagements?
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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:
: Part 12: Brand You
:
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All the previous articles in this series lead to this concept – Brand YOU. The result of your articles, engagements, products, etc. is the creation of your name becoming associated with a specific niche.
Becoming a brand (think Coca-Cola) offers three fundamental advantages.
1. Your Talent & Skill. You will stand out from the crowd and differential yourself from competitors. You grow to be known as “the one” to call. Solid branding automatically conveys confidence to the client. You gain the reputation as trustworthy and reliable.
2. Your Passion. Brand You communicates your love and absorption of your field. No one questions Michael Dell’s fervor for fast delivery of a personalized computer. No one will question your desire to transfer your passion in a beneficial way to the client.
3. Your Reputation. Other will start to talk about you – in a good way. 98% of my speaking and training engagements are referral based. That’s unsolicited referrals. People tell others and they call. When you put into practice the ideas of this series, you’ll find that people will start calling you based on the testimony of those who have experienced your talent, skill, and passion.
The following article from Fast Company will give you more on branding and what it can accomplish for you.
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/10/brandyou.html
Want the fastest way to get started speaking for money, and make $1000+ in only four engagements?
“Very easy to understand, step by step help, and more than anything the
TRUTH about breaking into a public speaking career. Highly recommend the system.” ~ Allen Rowe
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Professional Speaking
12 Ways to Attract Professional Speaking Business
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Part 1: Your Own Ezine/Newsletter
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In this article…
Ezine (E) = Electronic Magazine
Newsletter (N) = Offline & printed
Your own E or N allows you to build a customer list, deliver valuable content, and offer your service/products.
1. Build YOUR Customer List.
Who needs your services? Those are the people you want to target for your list. An (E) asks people to sign up, so offer something attractive that makes the prospect want to get involved. A (N) can be sent directly by mail to anyone you choose.
2. Deliver Valuable Content.
An (E) or (N) must help your clients. Create articles, suggestions, tips, or recommendations that ooze value.
Whether your editions are just a few lines or several pages does not matter as long the information helps. The easier to apply the better.
3. Offer Your Services and Products.
It’s your (E) (N), so feel free to promote your stuff. Not arrogantly, but humbly and helpfully.
If you want to investigate further…
http://www.busymarketing.com/ezine.shtml
http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/newsletter.shtml
http://ezineadhelper.com/donesia/ezine1.htm
Most of the principles in those articles apply to an (N) as well. The major difference is postage and printing.
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Once Again – Getting Booked Made Easy
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One of the greatest advantages of a communication business is the freedom. One of my main goals for the year is going with my boys on all their school field trips.
This morning we went to “Let’s Pretend Hospital.” While learning about the ER one of the moms asked, “What do you do that lets you take off during the day?”
I briefly explained.
“Do you do motivational speaking?”
“Sure.”
“Our managers really need some pumping up. They get discouraged because of the type of people they face,” she continued.
“Well, I could come in and teach them how to reformat their thinking so circumstances or poor attitudes would not affect them. Also, they would not only get motivated the way you want, they could learn several techniques to change the attitude of the person in front of them.”
She looked excited, “That’s exactly what we need. What are your fees? I want to set up two or three special days for them.”
Lesson: A casual conversation can lead to a booking. When someone tells you a business problem offer your services as a solution.
For more on the easy way to getting booked, plus how to increase your speaking fees, click over to http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/profit.htm
Public Speaking Training
Q:
Do you have any tips on pace and delivery? - Peter
A:
Tips on delivery:
* Make it conversational rather than professional. What some people consider professional often
resembles theater type acting (which seems fake). Where as conversational speaking resembles movie
type acting (which seems real).
*Be you. That doesn't mean you remain where you are without making improvement. But optimize what
you presently possess. Most of what people consider detriments (poor voice, not funny, etc.) can be
developed into advantages.
*Always deliver value. I'll address this further in an upcoming edition of The Instant Speaking
Success Letter, but for now think of it this way. If someone promised to show in 3 hours how YOU
could become a millionaire in 30 days guaranteed, would you care about his/her delivery? I'm not
saying delivery ability is not important - but you get the idea.
Pace Tips
* Develop awareness. You should be able to feel
your pace and sense when you're going too fast
or too slow. Feel your breathing and your heart
rate internally as you speak.
* Watch the audience. Are they sleeping,
scrambling to take notes, or enjoying?
* Match your mood. When you whisper slow down
and be clear. When your excited speed up and
drag the crowd along in your verbal draft.
?????Do You Have a Speaking Question???????
Would you like to have a question answered
in this section of the letter?
Send it to: Paul@InstantSpeakingSuccess.com
Put "question" in the subject line.
Public Speaking Training
Super Speaker Technique: THE RETURN
Just a few days ago Ed shook his head as he sat
in front of me.
“I spoke Friday at a conference.” Dejection rolled
through his voice. “Something’s not right. I need
some help. The message didn’t seem to click. I
didn’t connect like I wanted.”
I was in the audience when Ed spoke. He opened with
a strong statement that he said he would prove
throughout his message.
Then he told a story.
Then another story.
Then another story.
Three stories removed from his assertion and we
were all lost. Not only were the stories not
connected to the original statement - they weren’t
connected to each other.
As Ed and I discussed what he needed to do next
time, our thoughts centered around the return.
He didn’t have to lose the group.
He could have told story 1 and returned to the
premise. Story 2 and returned to the premise.
Story 3 and returned to his premise.
Let’s say your first point is “Raising the Level.”
You might have a story that examples what you
mean by “raising the level.” When you finish the
illustration return to the point. Show the
audience exactly how they tie together.
If you want to a quote next, go ahead, but only
after you returned to the point. Always keep the
idea you’re sharing fresh in the minds of those
in the seats.
The return allows listeners to stay connected,
stay interested, and stay focused. Too many
illustrations that are not linked to the point
will allow people to drift away mentally.
Here’s the happy ending to Ed’s story. We worked
on his returns before his next event. It went
great! He kept the audience tuned in and never
lost them.
Public Speaking Training
Build Your Confidence…
*Never forget that the audience WANTS you to succeed.
*Create great material in a great format.
*Getting paid (in any amount) means someone believes your words are worth money!
*Getting invited (anywhere) means someone thinks you have something to share that others need to hear.
*Real people in the seats says they were willing to trade their time for your knowledge.
*Cherish all positive comments and replay them again and again.
*Getting invited back should give you a major boost of confidence and erase insecurity.
*Once a month reread your testimonial letters and thank you notes. Let them remind you of the impact you’re having. (More on this and the next point in the next section)
*Referrals. If people are willing to call others in your behalf count that as a major milestone as a speaker.
*Alan Weiss says, “It’s more important to know why you’re good, than that you’re good.” You’ll gain more confidence when you know why you’re having an impact. That way you can repeat the principle time and time again.
Public Speaking Training
BHB
Please allow some self-indulgence. I don’t say this to brag, but to make a few points. Last night (Monday) I was speaking in Lubbock, TX. Everything seemed to go well, but you never really know.
This morning Rick came to pick me up and take me to the airport. “Thanks for last night. It was better than we ever expected. The board met last night after you spoke. You got a unanimous BHB – Bring Him Back.”
Here are your points to consider:
1. You see, it doesn’t matter how good YOU think you did, it matters how good the AUDIENCE thinks you did.
2. You will be talked about. Good or bad. Pretty or ugly. No speaker escapes critique. Fortunately, if you do a good job, you’ll get a positive review.
3. BHB. Bring Him/Her Back. If you get a BHB feel honored and humble. It’s doesn’t mean you’re great, it means you have made people feel that they are great. You have given them useful value for their lives. They want you back because they believe THEY will be better for it.
Public Speaking Training
I get very nervous when I am about to speak - I get hot, sweat, real thirsty and then I speak and my heart beats 100 miles an hour and when its over I never want to do it again - but I do it again - and it seems that even though I do it my symptoms do get any better - I do not overcome with doing it over and over - suggestions! ~ Mack
Hi Mack,
Here are some ideas...
1. While you might be overwhelmed internal does it show externally? I stress time again that the audience’s ignorance is a powerful tool. They don't know how much or little time you've prepared. They don't know if you're nervous or not.
2. Don't think about the speech, but get involved in the aspects leading up to your time at the platform. Enjoy the proceedings instead of using them as panic time.
3. Develop one surefire opener that you can use no matter what the crowd (assuming your speaking to a different group each time). Most of us tend to loosen up after we know the crowd is relaxed. I usually open with a funny story from my life.
4. If you are speaking to the same group time and again, get to know some of the people away from the meeting. The more people you know in the audience the more relaxed you will become.
5. Even if it's a new group, try to use the break to meet a few folks. You might be able to mention them in the presentation. That will show that you care for your audience and cause everyone to relax.
6. Know exactly how the audience will benefit from your talk. Know the value you give. That way you can be sure they walk away better even if you don't feel like you've done your best.
7. Your exhaustion may indicate being an introvert. That doesn't mean you don't have a great personality, but that crowds exhaust you. If possible set aside 10 minutes immediately after the speech to rejuvenate.
8. Stop telling yourself how horrible it is. Instead what are some opportunities that come from larger groups? Can you make more money, change more lives? If you do a great job is there someone in the room that could hire you to speak for their group for $5000 or more? The more people the greater the opportunity if you can exploit it.
9. Involve the audience and get the focus off of you. Have them read something aloud of the screen. Ask them to repeat something you've said.
10. You may not be able to eliminate all pre-speaking jitters, but they should disappear shortly after you begin. That's what it's important to have a dependable opening & know you have something valuable to share.
11. Look at each event as a chance to get better. Even though you are continuing to feel anxiety what can you learn from each speech? Review each talk mentally and find out what you did right. What you think really went over well. You might not get to say or do the same thing next time, but more importantly there is a principle behind what worked. Discover that principle. Then use it time and time again and keep building on the principle strengths of your presentation.
12. Listen to comments afterwards. Instead of just being glad you're done, pick up on the compliments you receive. When someone says, "Great job." Ask them what was great about it. Let them know that you want to get better so it's important for you to repeat the great things.
13. This might not be encouraging, but you can be sure that the people you're facing are glad you're giving the impromptu speech and not them!
Fear of Public Speaking
Public speaking fear is common and normal. Don't believe for a moment that you are the only one who feels this way. Nervous anxiety is normal, but when it becomes debilitating it is not.
Read the brief synopsis below and travel to the page that will help you most with your fear and anxiety of public speaking.
FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS
10 Tips to Get you Over Your Fear of Public Speaking.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
Do you really have performance anxiety? Look over the sysmptoms.
STAGE FRIGHT
Reprint rights for your newsletters and ezines plus links to other public speaking articles
FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING ARTICLES
Several articles to ease your fear
FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING LINKS
Links to folks who can help you with your public speaking fear.
Fear of Public Speaking
How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear
By Morton C. Orman, M.D.
© 1996-2002, M. C. Orman, MD, FLP. All rights reserved
Public speaking is a common source of stress for everyone. Many of us would like to avoid this problem entirely, but this is hard to do. Whether we work alone or with large numbers of people, eventually we will need to speak in public to get certain tasks accomplished. And if we want to be leaders or achieve anything meaningful in our lives, we will often need to speak to groups, large and small, to be successful.
The truth about public speaking, however, is IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL! If you correctly understand the hidden causes of public speaking stress, and if you keep just a few key principles in mind, speaking in public will soon become an invigorating and satisfying experience for you.
Purpose Of This Report
The purpose of this Special Report is to help you overcome the fear of public speaking. It begins by discussing ten key principles to always keep in mind. If you approach any problem in life with the right starting principles, everything else will fall into place. On the other hand, if you start with the wrong guiding principles, you can try all you want, but there is little chance you'll improve.
This Report also reveals eleven "hidden" causes of public speaking stress. I have summarized these eleven causes, along with the ten key principles, at the end of this Report, so you can easily review them.
Key Principles
Principle #1--Speaking in Public is NOT Inherently Stressful
Most of us believe parts of life are inherently stressful. In fact, most of us have been taught to believe that life as a whole is very stressful!
To deal with any type of stress effectively, you first must understand that life itself, including public speaking, is NOT inherently stressful. Thousands of human beings have learned to speak in front of groups with little or no stress at all. Many of these people were initially terrified to speak in public. Their knees would shake, their voices would tremble, their thoughts would become jumbled . . . you know the rest. Yet they learned to eliminate their fear of public speaking completely.
You are no more or less human than they are. If they can conquer the fear of public speaking, so can you! It just takes the right guiding principles, the right understanding, and the right plan of action to make this goal a reality.
Believe me, it's not difficult. I'm a good example of someone who conquered the fear of public speaking. And while I didn't do it overnight, it wasn't difficult. All it took was approaching the problem in the right way.
Principle #2--You Don't have to be Brilliant or Perfect to Succeed
Many of us have observed public speakers and thought to ourselves "Wow, I could never be that smart, calm, witty, entertaining, polished . . . or whatever." Well, I've got news for you-- you don't have to be brilliant, witty, or perfect to succeed. That is not what public speaking is all about. I know it may look that way, but it's not. You can be average. You can be below average. You can make mistakes, get tongue-tied, or forget whole segments of your talk. You can even tell no jokes at all and still be successful.
It all depends on how you, and your audience, define "success." Believe me, your audience doesn't expect perfection. I used to think most audiences did, but I was wrong! Before I discovered this, I used to put incredible pressure on myself to deliver a perfect performance. I worked for days to prepare a talk. I stayed up nights worrying about making mistakes. I spent hours and hours rehearsing what I was going to say. And you know what? All this did was make me even more anxious! The more perfect I tried to be, the worse I did! It was all very disheartening (not to mention unnecessary).
The essence of public speaking is this: give your audience something of value. That's all there is to it. If people in your audience walk away with something (anything) of value, they will consider you a success. If they walk away feeling better about themselves, feeling better about some job they have to do, they will consider you a success. If they walk away feeling happy or entertained, they will consider their time with you worthwhile.
Even if you pass out, get tongue-tied, or say something stupid during your talk . . . they won't care! As long as they get something of value, they will be thankful.
They don't even need to feel good to consider you a success. If you criticize people, or if you stir them up to ultimately benefit them, they might still appreciate you, even though you didn't make them feel good at the time.
Principle #3--All You Need is Two or Three Main Points
You don't have to deliver mountains of facts or details to give your audience what they truly want. Many studies have shown that people remember very few of the facts or information speakers convey. While you may choose to include lots of facts and information, you only need to make two or three main points to have your talk be successful. You can even have your whole talk be about only one key point, if you wish.
When I first began speaking in public during medical school (kicking, screaming, and quivering all the way), I wasn't aware of this simple principle. I wrongly believed that my audience wanted encyclopedic knowledge from me, which of course I didn't have. So I tried to research my topic thoroughly and deliver as much worldly wisdom as possible.
Boy was that exhausting! It was also boring for my audience to suffer through.
Later, when I began giving public seminars on how to cope with stress, I spent hours each week typing a twenty-page script to read from, so I wouldn't forget any important tidbit.
As time went on, I gradually learned that this degree of complexity wasn't needed. As a result, the length of my discussion notes gradually declined. My twenty-page typed manuscript gave way to a five-page detailed outline. Then, I replaced my outline with ten or fifteen index cards. Eventually, I could conduct a full two-hour seminar with only one 3X5 index card (containing my two or three key points) to support me!
As long as I focused on these two or three key points, I was able to speak at length about them by naturally drawing upon my past experiences and knowledge.
Remember, all your audience wants from you is to walk away with one or two key points that will make a difference to them. If you structure your talks to deliver this result, you can avoid lots of complexity that isn't really needed. This also should make your job as a speaker much easier, and more fun too!
Principle #4--You also Need a Purpose That is Right for the Task
This principle is very important . . . so please listen up. One big mistake people make when they speak in public is they have the wrong purpose in mind. Often, they have no specific purpose in mind, but the one that is operating within them unconsciously causes a whole lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
This is a prime example of what I call a "hidden cause" of public speaking stress. When I first started speaking in public, I thought my purpose was to get everyone in the audience to approve of me. I mistakenly thought that this was what good public speakers try to do. I wasn't consciously aware of this purpose, nor how foolish it was, but it was there nonetheless.
Because of this hidden purpose, I felt I needed to be absolutely perfect and brilliant to win my audience's unanimous approval. If just one person in the audience disapproved . . . my goose was cooked! If one person left early, if anyone fell asleep, or if someone looked uninterested in what I was saying . . . I was defeated!
This was very anxiety-producing.
Later, after I became aware of this stress-producing purpose, I was able to look at it honestly and realize how foolish it was. How many public speakers get 100% approval from their audiences? The answer is zero!
The truth about public speaking is no matter how good a job you do . . . someone is going to disapprove of either you or your argument. That is just human nature. In a large group of people, there will always be a diversity of opinions, judgements, and reactions. Some will be positive, others will be negative.
There is no rhyme or reason to it. If you do a lousy job, some people will sympathize with you and feel for you, while others will critique you harshly. If you do a fantastic job, someone will resent your ability and might disapprove of you on that basis alone. Some people will leave early because of an emergency. Some will fall asleep because they were up all night taking care of a sick child. Therefore, it's foolish and unrealistic to attempt to get everyone in your audience to think well of you.
More importantly, it's the wrong type of purpose to adopt in the first place.
Remember, the essence of public speaking is to give your audience something of value. The operative word here is GIVE not GET! The purpose of public speaking is not for you to get something (approval, fame, respect, sales, clients, etc.) from your audience. It is to give something useful to your audience.
Yes, if you do this well, you'll gain notoriety, respect, sales, and new clients. But this should never be your organizing purpose going in. If you focus on giving as much as you can to your audience, you will then be aligned with the truth about public speaking. You also will avoid one of the biggest pitfalls that cause people to experience public speaking anxiety.
Giving of yourself is rarely stressful or anxiety producing. When I give a talk to a group of people, I often imagine myself handing out $1,000 bills to everyone in the audience. I try to give them at least that much value. If a few individuals in the group reject this "gift," it no longer surprises or demoralizes me. I no longer expect anything different.
Principle #5--The Best Way to Succeed is Not to consider Yourself a Public Speaker!
While it may seem paradoxical, the best way to succeed as a public speaker is not to consider yourself a public speaker at all.
Many of us have distorted, exaggerated views of what successful public speakers do. We often assume that to be successful ourselves, we must strive very hard to bring forth certain idealistic qualities we presently lack.
Consequently, we struggle desperately to emulate those personal characteristics of other speakers which we wrongly believe are responsible for their public speaking success.
In other words, we try to become someone other than ourselves! We try to be a public speaker, whatever that image means to us.
The truth about public speaking is that most successful speakers got that way by doing just the opposite! They didn't try to be like somebody else. They just gave themselves permission to be themselves in front of other people. And much to their surprise, they discovered how much fun they could have doing something most other people dread.
The secret, then, to their success is that they didn't try to become public speakers!
You and I can do the very same thing. No matter what type of person we are, or what skills and talents we possess, we can stand up in front of others and fully be ourselves.
I now love to speak in public. Why? Because it's one of the few times I give myself permission to fully be myself in the presence of others. I can be bold, compassionate, silly, informative, helpful, witty . . . anything I want. I can tell jokes, which I don't normally do, tell humorous or poignant stories, or do anything else that feels natural in the moment.
As a result, I make much better contact with my audience. I don't drone on and on about some uninteresting subject. I'm alive, I'm energized, I'm fully invested in everything I say and do. That's another gift I can give my audience. It also allows me to tell when I've gone on too long or when the people who are listening to me begin to drift away.
When you really get good at being yourself in front of others, you can even stand up in front of a group of people without any idea how you're going to get across your two or three main points. Sometimes, I enjoy throwing myself in front of a group without knowing specifically what I'm going to say. I just focus on my three main points and remember I'm there to give people something of value. Then I give myself permission to say whatever comes to mind. In many instances, I say things I've never said before! They just come out of me spontaneously while "being with my audience." Sometimes, I'm truly amazed at some of the things I end up saying or doing.
And you know what? People in the audience often come up to me afterward and say, "you were great, I wish I had the confidence to give public talks like you." That's exactly the wrong way to think. Don't try to give talks the way I do, or the way anyone else does. Just go out there, armed with a little knowledge and a few key points, and be yourself. Everything else will usually work out. It might be a little rough the first few times you try it, but after a while, you'll settle into some very successful ways of being that will be all yours and no one else's.
Principle #6--Humility and Humor Can Go a Long Way
While each person will eventually find his or her style of public speaking, certain maneuvers can be used by almost everyone. Two of these, humility and humor, can go a long way to making your talks more enjoyable and entertaining for your audience.
Humor is well understood by most of us, so little needs to be said about it here. If being humorous feels comfortable for you, or if it fits your speaking situation, go for it. It usually works, even if you don't do it perfectly.
By humility, I mean standing up in front of others and sharing some of your own human frailties, weaknesses, and mistakes. We all have weaknesses, you know, and when you stand up in front of others and show that you're not afraid to admit yours, you create a safe, intimate climate where others can acknowledge their personal shortcomings as well.
Being humble in front of others makes you more credible, more believable, and paradoxically more respected. People can connect with you more easily. You become "one of them" instead of a remote expert who's head and shoulders above them (which you really aren't). It also sets a tone of honesty and self-acceptance, which people recognize in themselves as well. Don't try to do this, however, if it's not authentic for you. True humility is easily distinguished from the pretense of acting humble. If you pretend, your audience will perceive this and lose respect for you.
Often, humor and humility can be combined very effectively. Telling humorous stories about yourself, or using your own personal failings to demonstrate some point you are trying to make, can be both entertaining and illuminating.
For example, if you get nervous when you stand up to speak in front of a group, or if you suddenly feel nervous during the middle of your talk, don't hide this fact from your audience (they can tell anyway). Be real--and humble--by acknowledging your fear openly and honestly. Ask your audience for forgiveness while you take a few moments to collect yourself.
Or, you can start your talk with a humorous story that produces the same effect. For example, I've seen speakers begin their talks by saying "What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shakes all over?" Answer: a nervous wreck! This is a very endearing strategy that also helps relieve speaking anxiety.
Principle #7--When You Speak in Public, Nothing "Bad" Can Ever Happen!
One thing that adds to the fear of public speaking is the dread people have that something awful, terrible, or publicly humiliating will happen to them.
What if I pass out from nervous exhaustion? What if I forget everything I intended to say and am left standing there, totally speechless? What if the audience hates me and begins throwing things at me?
What if they all get up and leave after the first ten minutes? What if they snipe at me with harsh questions or comments once I'm done? What if someone in the audience tries to turn the group against me?
These could be embarrassing if they occurred. Fortunately, most of them don't happen.
Even when they do, it's useful to have a strategy in mind that has them turn out perfect. Sound difficult? It's not really.
I've found that most of the "negative" things that happen when I'm speaking can be handled by keeping this one simple, but powerful, principle in mind: everything that happens can be used to my advantage.
If people get up and start to head for the door, I can stop what I'm doing and ask for feedback. Was there something about my topic, my style, or my manner of presentation that was offensive to them? Were they simply in the wrong room at the start and didn't know it? Did someone misinform them about what my talk was going to cover?
Regardless of what they tell me, just stopping to deal with this situation, honestly and humbly, will often score points with my remaining audience. It also will give me the opportunity to learn how I am affecting people, so I can make any corrections that might be needed.
Even if everyone walked out and refused to give me a reason, I could ultimately find ways to benefit from this experience. At the very least, I could use it as the opening for my next presentation. "You know, I gave this same talk the other day and everyone in the audience walked out in the first ten minutes. That's my current record, so I guess we'll just have to see what happens today."
The same principle holds for dealing with hecklers or people who ask harsh or confrontational questions. If you assume that nothing truly bad can ever happen when you're speaking in public, you'll be amazed how well you can relate to such events and how often you can indeed use them to your advantage.
And once you've successfully used this principle many times, your anxiety about public speaking will almost completely go away. You'll know it will be virtually impossible for anything "bad" to happen that you won't be able to handle. That is a very comforting thought.
TIP: If you want a good role model for developing this skill, rent a video tape of Johnny Carson's opening monologues. He was a master at using this principle. No matter how his audience responded, Carson was always ready to use their response, positive or negative, to make another joke. He simply couldn't lose, even if the material his writers provided him was rotten.
Principle #8--You Don't Have to Control the Behavior of Your Audience
To succeed as a public speaker, you don't have to control the behavior of your audience. There are certain things you do need to control--your own thoughts, your preparation, arrangements for audio-visual aids, how the room is laid out--but one thing you don't have to control is your audience. They will do whatever they do, and whatever they do will usually be "perfect."
If people are fidgety or restless, don't try to control this. If someone is talking to a neighbor, or reading the newspaper, or falling asleep, leave them alone. If people look like they aren't paying attention, refrain from chastising them. Unless someone is being intentionally disruptive, there is very little you need to control.
Thinking you need to change or control other people is a hidden cause of stress in many areas of life. This is just as true for relating to a group as it is for relating to your friends, spouse, children, or other acquaintances.
Principle #9--In General, the More You Prepare, the Worse You Will Do
Preparation is useful for any public appearance. How you prepare, however, and how much time you need to spend are other matters entirely.
Many of the errors in thinking we've discussed so far often creep in to people's strategies for preparation. If you have the wrong focus (i.e., purpose), if you try to do too much, if you want everyone to applaud your every word, if you fear something bad might happen or you might make a minor mistake, then you can easily drive yourself crazy trying to overprepare your talk. In these instances, the more effort you put in, the worse you probably will do.
On the other hand, if you know your subject well, or if you've spoken about it many times before, you may only need a few minutes to prepare sufficiently. All you might need is to remind yourself of the two or three key points you want to make, along with several good examples and supporting facts and . . . BOOM you're ready to go.
Overpreparation usually means you either don't know your subject well or you do, but you don't feel confident about your ability to speak about it in public. In the former instance, you'll need to do some extra research. In the latter, you'll need to develop trust in your natural ability to speak successfully. The only way to do this is to put yourself in the spotlight, over and over again.
Go out and solicit opportunities to speak on your subject in public. Offer to speak free or for a small fee, enough to cover your expenses. If you have something of value to tell others, keep getting in front of people and deliver it. In no time at all, you'll gain confidence. You'll also begin to respect the natural public speaker/communicator within you.
Principle #10--Your Audience Truly Wants You to Succeed
The last principle to remember is that your audience truly wants you to succeed. Most of them are scared to death of public speaking, just like you. They know the risk of embarrassment, humiliation, and failure you take every time you present yourself in public. They feel for you. They will admire your courage. And they will be on your side, no matter what happens.
This means that most audiences are truly forgiving. While a slip of the tongue or a mistake of any kind might seem a big deal to you, it's not very meaningful or important to your audience. Their judgements and appraisals will usually be much more lenient than yours. It's useful to remind yourself of this point, especially when you think you've performed poorly.
Review Of 11 Hidden Causes Of Public Speaking Stress
1. Thinking that public speaking is inherently stressful (it's not).
2. Thinking you need to be brilliant or perfect to succeed (you don't).
3. Trying to impart too much information or cover too many points in a short presentation.
4. Having the wrong purpose in mind (to get rather than to give/contribute).
5. Trying to please everyone (this is unrealistic).
6. Trying to emulate other speakers (very difficult) rather than simply being yourself (very easy).
7. Failing to be personally revealing and humble.
8. Being fearful of potential negative outcomes (they almost never occur and even when they do, you can use them to your advantage).
9. Trying to control the wrong things (e.g., the behavior of your audience).
10. Spending too much time overpreparing (instead of developing confidence and trust in your natural ability to succeed).
11. Thinking your audience will be as critical of your performance as you might be.
Review of 10 Key Principles To Always Keep In Mind
#1---Speaking in Public is NOT Inherently Stressful
#2---You Don't Have to be Brilliant or Perfect to Succeed
#3---All You Need is Two or Three Main Points
#4---You also Need a Purpose That is Right for the Task
#5---The Best Way to Succeed is NOT to Consider Yourself a Public Speaker!
#6---Humility and Humor Can Go a Long Way
#7---When You Speak in Public, Nothing "Bad" Can Ever Happen!
#8---You Don't Have to Control the Behavior of Your Audience
#9---In General, the More You Prepare, the Worse You Will Do
#10--Your Audience Truly Wants You to Succeed
That's all there is to it. Just look for these eleven hidden causes and keep the ten corresponding principles in mind.
Of course, you will need to practice. It's extremely easy to forget the ten key principles. No matter how often you review them, you'll instinctively fall back into your old stress-producing patterns.
What is the best way to practice? Go out and speak in public. Join a local Toastmasters Group if you like. Take a community college course in public speaking. Better yet, offer to teach a course about something you know very well.
Just keep throwing yourself into the arena, and in no time at all, your skill, confidence, and natural ability will come to the surface.
And remember, if you get up in front of a group and find this stressful, it only means you forgot the truth about what public speaking is all about. Go back and review this Report. Find out what you did wrong or what you didn't remember. Then go back out and speak again until you get it right. It may take time, but the long-term rewards will be impressive.
Suggestions for Further Reading
If you like this type of advice and find it useful, you might want to check out my full-length book about stress called The 14 Day Stress Cure (323 pages, $24.95). It covers many additional hidden causes of stress. It also focuses on numerous other issues, such as how to cope with anger, frustration, and other negative emotions; how to deal with relationship conflicts; how to reduce your stress at work; and how to deal with stress related physical complaints.
To order a copy of this award-winning book, contact Amazon.com, 24 hours a day.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety goes beyond simply fear or nerves. This is the type of anxiety that can make your legs lock and your mind go completely blank.
While undemanding techniques work for general nerves it takes much more than that for performance anxiety.
1. Recognize the signs. Some speakers think they have this issue, but don't. Here are the common signs of true performance anxiety.
· A high level of fear and dread.
· Panic
· Heart palpitations
· Rapid breathing
· Profuse sweating
· Uncontrollable trembling or shaking
· Feeling dizzy
· Unsteady or lightheaded
· Feeling detached
· Feeling a loss of control over their ability to manage the fear.
· Blushing or heat surges
· Difficulty concentrating and thought blocking.
· Intense anticipatory anxiety prior to the speaking or performance event, sometimes days, weeks, or months ahead of time.
2. Try the typical techniques. Breathing exercises. Common knowledge. This will help you know if you need greater help.
3. Contact someone licensed the field of performance anxiety.
Fear of Public Speaking Articles
Getting rid of public speaking fear, stage fright, and anxiety starts with gaining knowledge. Several times a month the Instant Speaking Success Letter comes your way. It's free and filled with advice that will make you a better speaker. If you have not already signed up, please take a moment and fill in the form to the left. All you have to lose is your fear of speaking!
From issue one, every article has been archived for you to browse, read, learn, and apply. Yes, apply. The full archive link is below. Here are some issues that will help you with the fear of public speaking.
Seven Sites to End Your Fright
10 Strategies to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking
The Lucky 13 for Beating Pre-Speech Jitters
F.E.A.R.
ISSL Archive
Fear of Public Speaking
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:Seven Sites to End Your Fright
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Last issues
1. The Instant Speaking Success Home Study Course. Okay, a shameless plug, but there is no better fear fighter than creating a valuable speech, filled with valuable content, and delivered in a valuable way.
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/spk.htm
2. Stage Fright Article from Tom Antion.
http://www.antion.com/articles/stagefright.htm
3. How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear
http://www.stresscure.com/jobstress/speak.html
4. Dana Bristol Smith’s Tips
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Smith19.html
5. Why Stage Fright Isn’t Always Bad
http://www.powerpublicspeaking.com/stage_fright_isnt_always_bad.htm
6. The University of Bradford’s Thoughts on Speaking Fear
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/civeng/skills/pubspeak.htm
7. National Speaker’s Association.
http://www.nsaspeaker.org/media_center/fear_of_speaking.shtml
Fear of Public Speaking
1. Fear of Public Speaking
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The National Speakers Association's top 10 strategies for overcoming the fear of public speaking:10. Accept the fear and make it work for you: Most people cannot see or sense a speaker's nervousness, so be sure not to mention it, which will only draw attention to the fact that you're not totally calm, cool and confident. Instead, use your nervousness, which is really just an adrenaline rush to your advantage. Harness your nervous energy and turn it into enthusiasm.9. Arrive to the speech location early. If your presentation requires a microphone, overhead projector or any other technical equipment, make sure you arrive at the venue early enough to test it before the audience arrives. You should also make yourself comfortable with the room. Canvass the stage and check out the vantage point from the audience seating area. Getting familiar with the room will help put you at ease.8. Do deep breathing exercises. This is the old standby for any tense situation and professional speakers swear by its effectiveness. Take a deep breath, hold it for three or four seconds and exhale. Repeat four or five times. You'll feel remarkably more at ease.7. Speak on something you are passionate about. A passion for your subject will help to dissipate your nerves in the moments before you speak. The audience will sense your passion and focus on your message, not your mistakes.6. Speak as often as possible. Nothing kills a case of the nerves like experience. The more you speak and the more you stand in front of an audience, the more comfortable you'll be.5. Know your topic and material — Being unfamiliar with your topic and material is a sure-fire way to pump up your level of nervousness. People unfamiliar with their material also tend to memorize the text of their speech, which can lead to catastrophe if your stage fight is great enough to impact your memory.4. Mingle with the audience before the speech — If it’s possible, try to meet people in the audience before you speak. A simple chat with a few people in the audience will increase your familiarity with the audience and improve your comfort level.3. Know your audience — Members of the National Speakers Association swear by the value of doing your homework. Professional speakers make a substantial effort to research the company or organization hosting their speech. Knowing the sensitivities of your audience will allow you to hit their hot buttons and avoid failed attempts at humor.2. Forget yourself and focus on the audience — You’re speaking because you have valuable information to share. Recognize that your true goal is to help the audience and make them understand your message.1. Prepare and rehearse — Nothing beats practicing for a speech. The more you practice, the better you will do. Try practicing in front of family and friends or colleagues. If that isn’t possible, stand in front of a mirror and read your speech aloud. This will also put you in tune with your natural hand gestures and facial expressions.The National Speakers Association offers a variety of tools and resources for people who want to learn more about professional speaking. Log on to www.nsaspeaker.org to find out more about NSA meetings, chapter meetings open to the public, Professional Speaker magazine and more.
Get Your Copy Now and Become the Next Speaking Success!
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com/spk.htm
Fear of Public Speaking
Q & A:
I get very nervous when I am about to speak - I get hot, sweat, real thirsty and then I speak and my heart beats 100 miles an hour and when its over I never want to do it again - but I do it again - and it seems that even though I do it my symptoms do get any better - I do not overcome with doing it over and over - suggestions! ~ Mack
Hi Mack,
Here are some ideas...
1. While you might be overwhelmed internal does it show externally? I stress time again that the audience’s ignorance is a powerful tool. They don't know how much or little time you've prepared. They don't know if you're nervous or not.
2. Don't think about the speech, but get involved in the aspects leading up to your time at the platform. Enjoy the proceedings instead of using them as panic time.
3. Develop one surefire opener that you can use no matter what the crowd (assuming your speaking to a different group each time). Most of us tend to loosen up after we know the crowd is relaxed. I usually open with a funny story from my life.
4. If you are speaking to the same group time and again, get to know some of the people away from the meeting. The more people you know in the audience the more relaxed you will become.
5. Even if it's a new group, try to use the break to meet a few folks. You might be able to mention them in the presentation. That will show that you care for your audience and cause everyone to relax.
6. Know exactly how the audience will benefit from your talk. Know the value you give. That way you can be sure they walk away better even if you don't feel like you've done your best.
7. Your exhaustion may indicate being an introvert. That doesn't mean you don't have a great personality, but that crowds exhaust you. If possible set aside 10 minutes immediately after the speech to rejuvenate.
8. Stop telling yourself how horrible it is. Instead what are some opportunities that come from larger groups? Can you make more money, change more lives? If you do a great job is there someone in the room that could hire you to speak for their group for $5000 or more? The more people the greater the opportunity if you can exploit it.
9. Involve the audience and get the focus off of you. Have them read something aloud of the screen. Ask them to repeat something you've said.
10. You may not be able to eliminate all pre-speaking jitters, but they should disappear shortly after you begin. That's what it's important to have a dependable opening & know you have something valuable to share.
11. Look at each event as a chance to get better. Even though you are continuing to feel anxiety what can you learn from each speech? Review each talk mentally and find out what you did right. What you think really went over well. You might not get to say or do the same thing next time, but more importantly there is a principle behind what worked. Discover that principle. Then use it time and time again and keep building on the principle strengths of your presentation.
12. Listen to comments afterwards. Instead of just being glad you're done, pick up on the compliments you receive. When someone says, "Great job." Ask them what was great about it. Let them know that you want to get better so it's important for you to repeat the great things.
13. This might not be encouraging, but you can be sure that the people you're facing are glad you're giving the impromptu speech and not them!
Fear of Public Speaking
Here is an article Mark Thompson published for his Forward-Living subscribers. It has some valuable points for public speakers. Enjoy the article and sign up for Mark’s newsletter…
F.E.A.R.
What are some of your fears?
Are they holding you back from achieving your goals? We all fear certain things. But the problem comes when we let them affect our lives in such a way we hinder a sincere purpose.
We may fear asking someone out on a date. We may fear actually going on a date. Or we may fear, change, the unknown, public speaking, starting a business or just success in general.
If you experience a fear that you realize hinders you from achieving more from life, consider this simple, but effective formula for abolishing unnecessary fear.
F.E.A.R. =
Focus
Execute to Execute
Advance
Reclaim!
Focus:
Make a list of your most 5 common fears – those you want to get rid of so you can get what you’ve always wanted, whatever that may be.
Once you’ve made that list, choose one. Focus on just one. You want to focus on one at a time because trying to conquer all of them at once will surely overwhelm you and, consequently, may make you feel like you’ll never be able to face that fear again. If that happens, you’ll rob yourself of developing a potential gift and you’ll rob those who would benefit from you when you conquer your first chosen fear.
Execute to Execute:
What does this mean? Basically it means to do that which you fear in order to kill that fear. “Face It and Forget It!” There is a strategy, though. Once you’ve made your list and you’ve focused on which one you want to overcome, you must do that which you fear.
We’ll use public speaking as an example. Public speaking is said to be feared worse than death by some people. Personally, I question that statistic because public speaking is a temporary situation, and, well . . . death is fairly permanent. But public speaking is still feared by tons of people.
Now let’s Execute this plan so we can Execute this fear.
First: Make it easy for yourself to be successful. Set up an arrangement or volunteer to speak in the most non-threatening place you can, among friends if possible.
Second: If at all possible speak on something you know and feel very comfortable talking about. If you don’t have the freedom to speak on the topic of your choice, look up and learn as much as possible and focus speaking on what you’ve learned. Don’t try to fake your knowledge about a subject when you’re speaking (whether in public or not). It will backfire every time.
Third: Don’t speak like you’re “giving a public speech”. Talk to the crowd like you talk to your friends. After this crowd is your friend. You set it up that way. Another reason you’re able to have fun with it is because you already know your topic.
Advance:
Once you’ve executed your plan to execute your focused fear, you’ll be in a position, mentally to take the next level. You’ll have a win under your belt and feel more confident to tackle the next event. You may even be in a position to be paid to speak! The main thing to remember in our speaking example is to know your information and to be 100% sincere.
Reclaim!:
Once you’ve accomplished a goal and defeated a fear, you’ll be in a position to tackle you’re next fear. Keep destroying each fear until you have overcome any that hold you back from your ultimate goal. Use this formula to take control of your life. After all, it’s your life. So Reclaim it!
Your fear may not be the same as our public speaking example, but the formula is the same: Focus, Execute to Execute, Advance and Reclaim! Just remember to start with the familiar, start small and you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.
That’s it for now.
As always, keep looking and living forward!
Bimbingan dan Latihan Peperiksaan Tahap Kecekapan, Kakitangan Awam Fasilitator: Bimbingan dan Latihan Awal (BLA) Mohamad Shuhmy Shuib Awaludin Bakar
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