Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Say It With Flowers
A speaker friend of mine had a deal with a local flower shop. When he had a program the next day he would buy up all the fresh flowers that did not sell for a dirt cheap price. The flowers were destined for the dumpster anyway so the florist was thrilled to get anything for them. The speaker would arrive to big fanfare throwing flowers into the crowd. Everyone got a flower to take home and depending on the size of the crowd, some would get a whole bouquet. He also sent big bunches as his thank you gift to the meeting organizer. He purposely sent so many that the organizer could not possibly take them all home. His good will (and name) was spread all over the company he was speaking for and the people in the audience had a blast.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Sensitive Audience Members
If you are planning to do a lively presentation that involves the audience members, you must be careful of what you say at the beginning of your speech.
Some audience members would rather have you sit down so they could be the star on stage, but others dread the thought of even being noticed while they are sitting in the audience.
Here is a critical phrase you can adapt and say during the beginning of your presentation to help the sensitive members of the audience relax and pay attention to your content.
"We're going to have lots of fun and interaction today, but don't worry. You won't be put on the spot to do anything you don't want to do."
That simple phrase will help all of your audience members enjoyyour presentation without anxiety.
--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
From an archived issue of Great Speaking ezine, http://www.antion.com/ezine/v5n8.txt about the problems erasing Dry Erase Boards when the ink has dried for a long time. Readers Mary Roth and Fugi Saito both quickly responded with this tip. Scribble over the old writing with a marker. This re-moistens the old writing which will now erase easily with your dry board eraser.
Some audience members would rather have you sit down so they could be the star on stage, but others dread the thought of even being noticed while they are sitting in the audience.
Here is a critical phrase you can adapt and say during the beginning of your presentation to help the sensitive members of the audience relax and pay attention to your content.
"We're going to have lots of fun and interaction today, but don't worry. You won't be put on the spot to do anything you don't want to do."
That simple phrase will help all of your audience members enjoyyour presentation without anxiety.
--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
From an archived issue of Great Speaking ezine, http://www.antion.com/ezine/v5n8.txt about the problems erasing Dry Erase Boards when the ink has dried for a long time. Readers Mary Roth and Fugi Saito both quickly responded with this tip. Scribble over the old writing with a marker. This re-moistens the old writing which will now erase easily with your dry board eraser.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Energy
by Ty Boyd, CSP, CPAE
The greatest asset any speaker can have is ENERGY. Energy comes in many colors and hues, from a whisper to a shout. Some will define energy as passion, enthusiasm or "fire in the belly." With this fire, even a trivial message becomes compelling; without it, the most powerful message will fall unheard. We say "fire your purpose with passion. Run it through your principle-filter. Prepare. Practice. Then, present. The result will be enormous POWER."
The greatest asset any speaker can have is ENERGY. Energy comes in many colors and hues, from a whisper to a shout. Some will define energy as passion, enthusiasm or "fire in the belly." With this fire, even a trivial message becomes compelling; without it, the most powerful message will fall unheard. We say "fire your purpose with passion. Run it through your principle-filter. Prepare. Practice. Then, present. The result will be enormous POWER."
Monday, February 20, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Add Weight
No I'm not promoting obesity. I'm referring to outdoor presentations. If you are ever forced (I say "forced" because you should try to avoid outdoor presentations at all costs) to do an outdoor presentation, then make sure you have several different kinds of weights handy to help control your presentation.
You might need a sand bag or dumbell to hold down the easel of your flipchart. How about taping some heavy coins to the bottom of the sheets and clamping the edges to keep the breeze from lifting up the pages?
Paperweights, or in a pinch, plain old rocks are great for holding down papers you have on a table on stage.
What else do you commonly have with you on stage that could blow around in a breeze? Make sure it's secured.
Ties and scarves that look gorgeous in a no wind hotel room look terrible and distracting when flapping in the wind.
Keep your weight up and you'll make the best of a windy situation.
You might need a sand bag or dumbell to hold down the easel of your flipchart. How about taping some heavy coins to the bottom of the sheets and clamping the edges to keep the breeze from lifting up the pages?
Paperweights, or in a pinch, plain old rocks are great for holding down papers you have on a table on stage.
What else do you commonly have with you on stage that could blow around in a breeze? Make sure it's secured.
Ties and scarves that look gorgeous in a no wind hotel room look terrible and distracting when flapping in the wind.
Keep your weight up and you'll make the best of a windy situation.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Floor Check
Make it a point to check the area you will be walking on during your presentation. Risers are notorious for being wobbly. The gaps between them can catch your shoes. Check the entire surface area by walking in each area and listening for loud thumps and squeaks. Check the stairs up to the risers for placement and sturdiness. Even if you are not using a riser, cords to your projection equipment can get in your way. Make sure they are taped down with good quality duct tape or high quality "gaffer tape." If you do trip during a presentation have some one liners ready like, "Well, I had a good trip and I'll see you next fall," or "So much for all those poise and charm lessons I had as a kid, " or "No wonder I got kicked out of Arthur Murray”
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Lay Down the Law
It is always best to communicate a clear set of ground rule snear the beginning of a presentation. For instance, if you do not want questions until the end of your program, state that up front and get agreement from the group. If comments from the audience are allowed, ask that they be kept to a certain amount of time (like 30 seconds or less). Getting everyone to agree to your plan in the beginning puts enormous peer pressure on an individual violating any of the rules.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Balloons Part II
Last entry we talked about Air Filled Balloons and how to use them in presentations(http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues2001.htm vol 3 num 11 ).
This issue we'll address ways to use helium filled balloons and several special concerns with regard to helium and balloons.
WARNING: Do not under any circumstance inhale or allow anyone to inhale helium. There are many documented cases of people inhaling helium and dropping dead on the spot. The helium replaces the oxygen in the lungs and you are gone fast.
WARNING: Do not release balloons into the air. The balloons have been found inside dead animals. You don't want to kill an animal and you don't want animal activists picketing your event.
=> Obtain really small portable helium tanks from party stores (they won't blow up many balloons, but they are fairly easy to carry)
=> Use strings and weights to line the entranceway to your seating area. You can use different length strings to make interesting patterns.
=> Put prizes in the balloons before you blow them up. Put long enough strings on each balloon so it can be retrieved if someone accidentally lets one go to the ceiling. (Here's a sneaky way to retrieve a balloon if the ceilings are really high. Get another helium balloon and tape a tack to it with the point facing up. Attach a long string to it and let the balloon rise to the ceiling where it will puncture the stray balloon causing it to fall back to the floor.)
=> This takes more skill, but you can create a balloon arch which makes a really pretty backdrop for the stage or you could have people walk through it as they enter the room.
This issue we'll address ways to use helium filled balloons and several special concerns with regard to helium and balloons.
WARNING: Do not under any circumstance inhale or allow anyone to inhale helium. There are many documented cases of people inhaling helium and dropping dead on the spot. The helium replaces the oxygen in the lungs and you are gone fast.
WARNING: Do not release balloons into the air. The balloons have been found inside dead animals. You don't want to kill an animal and you don't want animal activists picketing your event.
=> Obtain really small portable helium tanks from party stores (they won't blow up many balloons, but they are fairly easy to carry)
=> Use strings and weights to line the entranceway to your seating area. You can use different length strings to make interesting patterns.
=> Put prizes in the balloons before you blow them up. Put long enough strings on each balloon so it can be retrieved if someone accidentally lets one go to the ceiling. (Here's a sneaky way to retrieve a balloon if the ceilings are really high. Get another helium balloon and tape a tack to it with the point facing up. Attach a long string to it and let the balloon rise to the ceiling where it will puncture the stray balloon causing it to fall back to the floor.)
=> This takes more skill, but you can create a balloon arch which makes a really pretty backdrop for the stage or you could have people walk through it as they enter the room.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Balloons
Having owned an entertainment and balloon delivery company, I Feel uniquely qualified to address this topic. Here are some ways to use balloons to add excitement to your presentation.
AIR FILLED
(just blow them up yourself or get an easy to carry hand pump from your local party store)
=> Put slips of paper with the name of a door prize in theballoon. Let participants pick a balloon, pop it and see what prize they won.
=> Tie them to a string and hang from ceiling as decorations.
=> Use double stick tape and tape them to the floor as a borderfrom the entrance door to the seating area. This is also good to take up space in a room that is too big for the number of chairs.
=> Pass empty balloons out to crowd. Have them blow them up and make whistling noises by letting the air escape while stretching the nozzle. Give prizes for best whistle song.
=> Pass out balloons and have audience members blow up and tie them. Simulate a fireworks display (noise only) by having the audience members stomp on the balloons.
=> Buy inexpensive balloon drop bags and pull ripcord, then encourage fireworks tip above.
=> Make balloon animals and sculptures. Next issue we'll talk about helium balloons, and safety and environmental tips when dealing with balloons
(http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues2001.htm vol 3 num 12 ).
AIR FILLED
(just blow them up yourself or get an easy to carry hand pump from your local party store)
=> Put slips of paper with the name of a door prize in theballoon. Let participants pick a balloon, pop it and see what prize they won.
=> Tie them to a string and hang from ceiling as decorations.
=> Use double stick tape and tape them to the floor as a borderfrom the entrance door to the seating area. This is also good to take up space in a room that is too big for the number of chairs.
=> Pass empty balloons out to crowd. Have them blow them up and make whistling noises by letting the air escape while stretching the nozzle. Give prizes for best whistle song.
=> Pass out balloons and have audience members blow up and tie them. Simulate a fireworks display (noise only) by having the audience members stomp on the balloons.
=> Buy inexpensive balloon drop bags and pull ripcord, then encourage fireworks tip above.
=> Make balloon animals and sculptures. Next issue we'll talk about helium balloons, and safety and environmental tips when dealing with balloons
(http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues2001.htm vol 3 num 12 ).
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Internet Marketing for the Public Speaking Community
I'll be in Washington, D.C. doing my "infamous" ButtCamp seminar Monday February, 13th.
(Right after the Eastern Workshop of the National Speakers Association)
And Phoenix Saturday, February 25th
Check out the details at:
http://www.antion.com/buttcamp.htm
(Right after the Eastern Workshop of the National Speakers Association)
And Phoenix Saturday, February 25th
Check out the details at:
http://www.antion.com/buttcamp.htm
Monday, February 06, 2006
Public Speaking Tips: Handout Tips
USE A LARGE FONT.
It makes more impact and is easier to read.It also makes you handout larger which makes it appear moresubstantial.
LEAVE LOTS OF WHITE SPACE.
I had a complaint recently thatsaid there was not enough space to write notes. I usually deliververy high content so this was clearly a mistake on my part in notleaving enough space for notes.
PUT CONTACT INFORMATION ON EVERY PAGE.
You never know whenpeople will tear out a page or photocopy a single page of yourhandout. Putting your info on every page makes sure whoever seesany page of your handout can contact you.
PUT IMPORTANT RESOURCES ON EVERY PAGE.
If you want people tokeep your handout make sure each page has some important resourcethat an audience member cannot do without. When you put all theresources on one page it makes it easy for someone to tear it outand throw the rest of your handout away.
USE A TEAR OFF ACTION ITEM PAGE.
Make it the last page so it'seasy to tear off at the beginning of the seminar or speech. Havethe attendees use it for those special aha's they get. You canthen have them say some of their items aloud which reinforces thevalue you are giving.
It makes more impact and is easier to read.It also makes you handout larger which makes it appear moresubstantial.
LEAVE LOTS OF WHITE SPACE.
I had a complaint recently thatsaid there was not enough space to write notes. I usually deliververy high content so this was clearly a mistake on my part in notleaving enough space for notes.
PUT CONTACT INFORMATION ON EVERY PAGE.
You never know whenpeople will tear out a page or photocopy a single page of yourhandout. Putting your info on every page makes sure whoever seesany page of your handout can contact you.
PUT IMPORTANT RESOURCES ON EVERY PAGE.
If you want people tokeep your handout make sure each page has some important resourcethat an audience member cannot do without. When you put all theresources on one page it makes it easy for someone to tear it outand throw the rest of your handout away.
USE A TEAR OFF ACTION ITEM PAGE.
Make it the last page so it'seasy to tear off at the beginning of the seminar or speech. Havethe attendees use it for those special aha's they get. You canthen have them say some of their items aloud which reinforces thevalue you are giving.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Public Speaking Tip: Hydration
I spent the bulk of my career (over 2000 paid presentations) speaking 30 minutes or less. When I started doing half days and full days for my Internet marketing seminars my voice really started to take a beating. I tried all the breathing-from-the-diaphragm stuff and never really got the hang of it. Then someone told me to drink lots of water the day BEFORE my presentation.
IT WORKED! I can't say that I'm free of voice problems when I speak all day or for multiple days. But I'm WAY better than I was just from drinking lots of water the day before. I start the morning before presentation and drink water all that day and as much as I can during the day of the presentation.
One way to tell that you are well hydrated is that your urine is very light colored. I also stay away from carbonated beverages the day before and the day of a speech.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
DEAR READERS: I'm always looking for quick tips for this section. I also want articles that fit into each of the other sections of this blog. Articles MUST be slanted toward speakers/public orprofessional speaking and must fall into one of the subject categories. NO GENERIC ARTICLES! Articles MUST be 500 words orless. Two part articles are welcome. Submit in the body of an email to mailto:orders@antion.com
IT WORKED! I can't say that I'm free of voice problems when I speak all day or for multiple days. But I'm WAY better than I was just from drinking lots of water the day before. I start the morning before presentation and drink water all that day and as much as I can during the day of the presentation.
One way to tell that you are well hydrated is that your urine is very light colored. I also stay away from carbonated beverages the day before and the day of a speech.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
DEAR READERS: I'm always looking for quick tips for this section. I also want articles that fit into each of the other sections of this blog. Articles MUST be slanted toward speakers/public orprofessional speaking and must fall into one of the subject categories. NO GENERIC ARTICLES! Articles MUST be 500 words orless. Two part articles are welcome. Submit in the body of an email to mailto:orders@antion.com
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