Mastering General Speaking Tips

  1. A huge part of being a great speaker that is rarely addressed is simply having the guts to decide that you don’t want to sound boring and ordinary like most of your peers.
  2. There are few careers that are harmed by being a great speaker.
  3. Remember, your speech is not THAT important to anyone in your audience.
  4. It is not overly promotional to tell people how to contact you if they want more information or to ask more questions.
  5. Be ready to give out a web site address and/or phone number.
  6. After you’ve learned all the rules, occasionally break them.

Starting the Radio Interview

  1. Compliment the producer and host on the show.
  2. Let them know you’ll be happy to stay longer than the allotted time and can come back anytime.
  3. When getting ready for an in-studio radio or TV interview, a producer will often ask you to count to ten for a microphone volume check.
  4. Instead, say “Hi! I'm (your name), and I listen/watch (name of program) every chance I get.”
  5. First, the whole staff will appreciate your enthusiasm. Second, they might use what you just said as a promo for years to come giving you a publicity windfall.



The Wisdom of the Public Speaking Audience

Much has been written about the excellent James Surowiecki book "Wisdom of the Crowds", a look at how markets, in various forms, are routinely better than experts. Zagat has built a whole publishing empire based on this single principle. Index funds routinely beat most mutual funds on Wall Street. And yet, very few people think to apply this principle when it comes to public speaking.

I contend that nearly every aspect of a presentation can and should be subjected to the wisdom of the audience—specifically the speaking audience. But how, as a practical matter, would this be done?

Let’s say you have to give a new sales presentation to 100 prospects on Thursday. Well, on Tuesday, round up five colleagues in your office and give them your presentation. By “give them” I mean stand up and deliver them; don’t give them the text. Afterward, ask questions.

  1. What slides does your audience remember? Any slide your audience doesn’t remember, then listen to their wisdom. Your slide is worthless—throw it away.
  2. What messages does your audience remember? These messages work, so move them up and expand them in your speech.
  3. Did you audience enjoy and remember your introduction where you talked about how happy you were to be there and about the boring history of your company? If not, then get rid of it—the wisdom of the audience has spoken.
  4. What details and factoids does the audience remember? Any details or factoids that were in your speech but not remembered need to be either presented in a new and better way, or they should be eliminated from the presentation.
  5. Where did you bore your audience? Get rid of it.

 

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Publisher: TJ Walker
Managing Editor: Jess Todtfeld
Creative Director : Kris Gentile

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