Showing posts with label Speech Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Speech Tips. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Want To Learn How You Can Make Millions Speaking?

By Paul Vann

How many times have you heard someone say, I want to become a professional speaker. That is not all, they go on to say, I am passionate about speaking.

If I had a dollar for every time I have heard someone said they wanted to be a speaker, I could buy a barrel of oil. Get it, buy a barrel of oil?

For the uninitiated, if you want to make millions as a professional speaker do not and I repeat, do not try to go it alone. Do not become a lone ranger and try to figure out on your own it will cost you a lot of money and aggravation.

If you want to make millions in the professional speaking industry, I recommend you hire a speaking coaching. Why?

A speaking coach will cut your learning curve in half and you can concentrate on honing your speaking skills and secure speaking engagements. Let it be said, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.

Some of the things on your checklist for finding a professional speaking coach reads as follows:

1. Research and find a speaker coach who has been where you are trying to go.

2. Request a list of clients your speaker works with, however privacy may be an issue but you can always ask.

3. Review the client list of the organizations the speaker coach works with.

4. Interview your speaking coach and ask for credentials, such as speaking schools or workshops they have attended, etc.

5. Inquire if the speaker coach has a coach, this speaks volumes of their commitment to speaking.

6. Meet with your speaker coach in person and then schedule phone, webinar, and or e-mail coaching.

7. Enroll and attend your speaker coaches training if they offer it.

8. Ensure your speaking coach gives you their professional and undivided attention during each session.

9. Become an active listener and a student of the speaking craft.

10. Ensure your coach provides a comprehensive review of your speaking abilities, including vocal variety, gestures, practice time, history of the audience, etc.

11. Request to attend your speaking coaches live events, assist them throughout their speaking engagement.

12. Fight early and often for feedback, this will make all the difference in the long run.

To be the best, meaning you want to become a million dollar speaker, you must focus on being excellent. In other words, your mandate must include practice, practice, and more practice.

The key to becoming an in demand speaker is to accept nothing less than hard work. Hard work will pay dividends in the long run and you will live your passion as a world renowned professional speaker.

When it comes to achieving success, always surround yourself with a great team of experts. You will soon discover great talent, attracts great talent, choose your team wisely and ensure you select the right speaker coach for you, it will lead to you making millions speaking.

Paul Lawrence Vann is CEO of the Wealth Building Academy, a professional speaking, training, coaching, and publishing company. He is a speaker coach who delivers a two-day live training titled, Make Millions Speaking. Vann's first speaking coach was the late Dottie Walters. Learn more about Paul's speaker coaching program at http://www.paullawrencevann.com or http://speakercoaching.blogspot.com or call the Wealth Building Academy at (800) 476-8976.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Vann

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Speak and Touch the Heart

By Bhavna Sharma

Presentations and seminars become all too familiar in the business world. Jim Speaker is there with the overhead projector and PowerPoint slides-each with four of five points. Hours later the seminar is over. Seminars are informative but can be deadly. Just give me the handout and I’ll read it at home!

It takes a dynamic presenter to step out from behind the lectern and shake up and motivate their audience.

Facts touch or mind, but it is the power that comes from stories that touch hearts.

Everybody loves a story. Stories give us insight life and human nature. They can make us laugh and they can make us cry. Story telling will go beyond the bullet points and will make a memorable impression on the heart that can change a life.

As a speaker, how can you use stories to give your presentation the impact that you desire:

• Tell inspirational stories to persuade, motivate or entertain. Use stories to illustrate the point you want to make. Try to find stories that are relevant to the audience. For example, for software engineers, tell a story about the young engineer who started a company in his garage and how Microsoft changed the world.

• Tell a story from your own experience. Make a habit of keeping a story journal and record your day’s experiences. You will have a rich supply of unique experiences to draw from to illustrate your point.

• Use gestures and acting techniques to bring your story to life. Don’t just tell your audience about a difficult client; get up and show them. Actions have a greater impact on the point you are making.

• Use description and dialogue. Take your audience into the story by using description and dialogue. Help them visualize and feel that they are part of the experience.

• Practice your story until it’s natural. Use the pacing and rhythm to communicate your message to your audience. Listen to a tape recording of yourself. Check how you have varied the tone of your voice and your speed to create the biggest impact in your story.

Remember it’s not about you; it’s about your audience. You have a great story and an important message to convey. By concentrating on your audience, you will become more confident and relaxed. This will result in your audience feeling comfortable and more receptive to your message.

For More Free Resources visit www.onlinepublishingsite.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Tips for Speech Writing

By Ronald Tulit

The pen truly is mightier than the sword and if you don't believe it just turn on your TV set. Day after day and minute by minute we are bombarded be speeches, whether it is a politician trying to win your vote or a corporate representative vying for your business. The fact is, that in this information age that we all live in time is money and money is time and conveying information is an art form that if mastered can mean you can live the life you have always dreamed about with the rich and powerful dependent on you for your word crafting skills.

Every speech that is written is not a victory speech and that is why a truly great speech writer can rise to any occasion to answer the given needs of the person giving the speech. John F. Kennedy's Bay of Pigs disaster speech is a prime example of a speech that was written to deal with the a horrible situation that had arisen. To this day if you were to ask someone who was around back then what happened, they will all recall the speech that was given almost word for word but no one will be able to tell you what the Bay of Pigs disaster was all about.

It is all due to the mastery of John F. Kennedy's speech writers and credit should be given where credit is due. Then once in a life time a speech writer can instill a question that truly has no answer. Perhaps you can recall Bill Clinton response to the publics questions regarding his dalliances with Monica Lewinsky and to this day the debate rages on as to whether oral sex is actually sex. Somewhere is a speech writer that can rightfully claim credit for creating this endless debate and no doubt he will never run out of work.

Written by Ronald Tulit. Find the latest information on Speech Writing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronald_Tulit

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Talk May Be Cheap but Your Speech Should Be Priceless!

By Dale Klein

Take a moment and imagine if you will any one of the following scenarios:
You've been contacted to schedule an interview for a fantastic job opportunity.
You've been requested by your employer to make a key presentation at a Board of Director's meeting.

You have a lunch appointment with a prospective client from a major account.
You've been asked to fill in for a colleague in teaching a training session.
You've been designated to represent your organization in either a live television or radio program interview.

You need to mingle and socialize at a holiday party where you are a relative newcomer.

The list could go on indefinitely and you can probably cite many of your own examples. The common theme here is that YOU will be in the limelight and will need to communicate effectively, putting forth your best skills in the art of speaking. For a small percentage of the human race, this will be taken in stride and will be just another task in the course of your day. However, for the majority of us out there, these examples can create a host of reactions such as breaking out in a cold sweat, heart palpitations, unusual bodily tremors and an overwhelming desire to pull the bed covers up over your head for an undetermined period of time. All kidding aside, fears related to speaking in public, whether it be in a small or large group, have been said to be a fear greater than death, for some. If indeed you are among those who shy away from any of these activities or view them as dreaded events, you're in luck because there are many tips that can ease your discomfort. So, read on and consider some of the following guidance, which should at least give you the confidence to take the first step and come out from under the covers.

Tips To Increase Your Confidence When Speaking:

1. Obtain as much information as possible about your listener or audience and ensure that you know who they are and what their expectations are. Doing your "homework" in this manner will prove beneficial in assisting you in feeling more confident as well as coming across as having a sense of your listener's needs.

2. Prepare an outline or notes to organize the information you need to convey, so you stay on topic and within the allotted timeframe. Jot your notes on index cards and try to use them to prompt or cue you with main points. This will help you to avoid reading vs. speaking to your audience. You can also use a highlighter to help draw your attention to key ideas or words.

3. Practice delivering the information you need to state by saying it aloud and into a tape recorder while standing in front of a mirror. Play the tape back and note what changes you want to make as well as what you did well. Then make another recording implementing the changes.

4. Whenever possible and when practicing, try to speak while standing up vs. seated as this will increase your volume and will also convey a more professional image.

5. Maintain excellent eye contact with your listener or audience so they feel connected to you as well as for you to assess their reactions to what you're saying.

6. Have easy access to a glass of water, and take small sips to keep your throat and mouth lubricated when speaking for an extended period. Try to avoid caffeine. If you are speaking to a large group, use amplification (microphone) whenever possible. This will help avoid vocal strain.

7. Try to breathe from your abdominal area (diaphragmatic breathing) vs. your chest area alone, to ensure solid voice projection and more efficient utilization of the voice.

8. Be aware of your rate of speech and try to use variation. When presenting new or unfamiliar information reduce your pace to ensure listener understanding. Speaking too rapidly will frustrate a listener, while speaking too slowly may result in listener disinterest.

9. Ensure that you articulate your words so that the listener easily understands you. One way to ensure this is to avoid speaking rapidly and be sure you are not speaking with your teeth clenched. Also, remember to face the listener when speaking and discontinue speaking if you need to turn away (as is the case if you turn to write information on a flipchart or board).

10. Use gestures sparingly and only to enhance or clarify your message. Be aware that gestures used excessively can be distracting and take away from your message. Facial expressions are part of gestures, so be aware of how you are coming across and where appropriate be sure to smile.

11. Make your message dynamic by varying the pitch of your voice, rate of your speech and vocal volume. These adjustments in intonation will facilitate emphasizing a key point you're trying to convey. Holding the listener's attention is essential and often this is a function of how you say something vs. what you are saying. This is particularly important for conducting business over the telephone and has a significant impact on customer service.

12. Be attentive to your listener/audience at all times and be sure to ask them open-ended vs. close-ended questions to ensure their understanding and to give them an opportunity to express their thoughts. As an example, it is helpful to ensure that your listener comprehends what you're saying by asking "what questions do you have?" rather than "do you have any questions?"

So, whether you're interacting with someone one on one, providing training, participating in a small meeting or making a public speaking presentation, speaking confidently is one of the most powerful tools. Remember that effective communication is at the heart of professional, organizational and personal success. You can get yourself on the road to speaking to others with confidence because...Your Speech Should be Priceless!

For further information on the topics of sharpening your verbal communication, voice coaching or reducing your foreign accent, please contact Dale Klein (SPEECH MATTERS) at: Phone/fax: (518) 664-6004 or email: dale@speech-matters.com

Dale Klein is a Corporate Communication & Speech Specialist and is the owner of SPEECH MATTERS. When it comes to ensuring you speak with power, professionalism and polish, you'll want to contact Dale Klein to get results.

Article Source: http://adzines.com/Public-Speaking-Articles/Talk-May-Be-Cheap-but-Your-Speech-Should-Be-Priceless/40192

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Ten Speech Tips for Writing Powerful and Persuasive Presentation

By Thomas Murrell

Have you ever had to give a speech?

Do you remember that feeling? A knot in the stomach, sweaty palms and a panic attack!

Not a very pleasant experience. And yet, I'm sure your speech was a success because 90 per cent of a typical audience want the speaker to succeed.
Yet according to The Book of Lists, speaking in public is one of our greatest fears.

Much of this anxiety is due to a lack of confidence in writing and preparing a speech rather than in the delivery.

Giving a presentation can be a great way to build your business, influence public opinion or kick-start your career.

It is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd and make a real difference in people's lives.

What are the secrets of writing a powerful and persuasive speech for any occasion?

Here are 10 tips for turning a good speech into a great one!

1. Have a plan and set some objectives & outcomes.

There is nothing worse than not knowing what you want to achieve. Do you want to educate the audience, inform, inspire, motivate or touch their emotions? Always work out what you want to achieve before beginning the speech process.

2. Have a formal structure - beginning, middle and end.

Audiences love structure and the best speeches stick to this tried and true rule. As they say: "tell them what you're going to say, tell them and then tell them again".

3. Avoid having too much content.

Hands up those that are guilty of this sin. I know I am. I have lost count the number of technical presentations given by CEO's, managers, scientists, engineers, geologists and other professionals who have just put too much content into their presentations. Far too much for an audience to absorb - remember even the best audiences face information overload after 20 minutes. How do you overcome the content crisis? See Tip # 8.

4. Define who your audience is and use the most appropriate communication channels to reach them.

Analyse how your audience likes to take in information - do they like to be visually stimulated or do they enjoy just sitting back and listening. Or do they like to get involved, to touch and feel in a kinaesthetic way. Work out the best mix of visual, audio and kinaesthetic and use this in your speechwriting.

5. Research your speech using a range of sources.

Be a keen observer of the trends your audience is likely to be interested in and keep a file of interesting articles and information. If you are time poor- a few quick questions when meeting an audience just prior to a speech, such as "what are the issues facing your business/industry/association at the moment?" can really help target your presentation and build rapport.

6. Use personal stories, examples and metaphors to make intangible concepts tangible.

In many cases you are trying to sell ideas and concepts in a speech. These are intangible and often difficult for the audience to grasp. Personal stories, examples and metaphors make the invisible visible.

7. Have a strong opening and closing.

People remember the opening - first impressions count! The closing is important as it should reinforce the key message you want the audience to go away with in their head after they have heard the presentation. Ending with a 'call to action' can be a powerful way to get your audience to act on your message.

8. Add value and extra detail through a handout.

Here's a tip: if you want to provide detail - put it in a handout! You can get far more content across in the written form than in a speech. Always refer to this in your presentation but hand it out after your speech so the audience is not distracted reading through it while you talk. There is nothing more soul destroying for a presenter to see the audience leafing through written notes rather than looking at you!

9. Use short words and plain English.

The short words are always the best words. Avoid jargon. Use active words instead of passive. This has far more impact in the minds of your listeners.

10. Evaluate and review on a regular basis.

There's nothing more powerful than to hear back a speech you've written. If you are writing a speech for someone else always try and hear the speech or at least get some feedback. Recording and listening back to a presentation is the fastest way to improve your skills.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com