June 30, 2008

One close per customer

Fellow speaker,

When you finally do close your speech, make sure that is the actual end of your speech. Many great speeches have been destroyed because the speaker finished their speech...and then kept on talking. When you come to the end of your speech, end your speech!

Ending it,

Tim

June 29, 2008

Take your time

Fellow speaker,

Remember that the conclusion of a speech is a "big deal". It is the high point of the speech and where the entire speech has been "headed toward" all along. Take your time and make a deep, powerful point that "hits the audience hard".

Hard hitting,

Tim

June 28, 2008

Just one more question...

Fellow speaker,

You can tell your speech in a "Colombo" style. The television person Colombo became famous for walking away as if he were fininshed and then coming back with, "Just one more question..." You can do the same thing in your speech: act as if you have finished your speech, go to walk off stage, then turn around and make a stunning point.

On TV,

Tim

June 27, 2008

From both sides now

Fellow speaker,

If you want to get your audience to think of things a different way, start the speech with a question told from one point of view. By the end of the speech, approach the question from a completely different point of view.

Changeable,

Tim

June 26, 2008

Problem and solution

Fellow speaker,

One way to create a speech is to start the speech with a question, and then answer the question during the speech. At the end of the speech, restate the question and then give the answer to the question.

Questioning,

Tim

June 25, 2008

Modesty becomes you

Fellow speaker,

When you get out onstage...don't get too confident! Remember to keep a little "nervous tension" in you so you give a focused, exciting performance.

Focused,

Tim

June 24, 2008

Why?

Fellow speaker,

One way to create a speech is to do an interview of people you are close friends with. Ask these people why they are friends with you, what they like, etc.

Whying,

Tim

June 23, 2008

Slow it down there, buddy!

Fellow speaker,

When moving and talking on stage, move a little slower than you normally do. This is because time onstage is "sped up" and you will always be a little faster moving and talking than you think you are. Slowing it down on stage makes for a more natural and easier to understand speaking performance.

Slowing up,

Tim

June 22, 2008

We're talking here!

Fellow speaker,

When you finish writing out your speech, stop and put it away. Then come back to it later and rewrite it so it sounds more like a conversation with the audience.

Talking it out,

Tim

June 21, 2008

Movie time!

Fellow speaker,

One way to get an outside, writing point of view on your life is to see your life as if it were a movie. Then write out the most interesting "movie scenes" in your life.

In the movies,

Tim

June 20, 2008

Time warp

Fellow speaker,

When we are on stage time passes a little more quickly than when we are not on stage. So when on stage speak a little slower than normal...and the audience will hear you speaking at a normal rate of speech speed.

Warping,

Tim

June 19, 2008

Speech creation

Fellow speaker,

When creating a speech:
  1. Do a "brain dump" of all the things you know about and have experienced
  2. Think about how it felt to do these things
  3. Think about what went through your mind when you did these things
Creating,

Tim

June 18, 2008

Self-evaluate

Fellow speaker,

Here are some thoughts to help you as you evaluate your own speaking abilities:
  • Who well do you write?
  • How good is your delivery?
  • How effective is your use of the speaking area?
Asking questions,

Tim

June 17, 2008

Like family

Fellow speaker,

When speaking, speak in the same way you would to your friends or your family.

In a family way,

Tim

Take your time

Fellow speaker,

Remember that the conclusion of a speech is a "big deal". It is the high point of the speech and where the entire speech has been "headed toward" all along. Take your time and make a deep, powerful point that "hits the audience hard".

Hard hitting,

Tim

June 16, 2008

Write it plain

Fellow speaker,

To make sure your speech sounds natural, write it out word for word in an "everyday conversational style".

Everyday,

Tim

June 15, 2008

Lessons in humor

Fellow speaker,

Try studying humorous writings in order to discover how to sound more natural when giving a speech.

Funnily enough,

Tim

June 14, 2008

Know the purpose

Fellow speaker,

World Champion speaker Jim Key says, "Movement [onstage] must have purpose". Make sure you know where and why you are moving when giving your speech.

Purposefully,

Tim

June 13, 2008

Practice makes smoothness

Fellow speaker,

Before you speak, practice the movements you are going to make onstage until they become smooth and natural to you.

Smoothly,

Tim

June 12, 2008

Deadline

Fellow speaker,

Even if you have lots of time to prepare your speech, make sure you set your own, personal "deadline" for finishing a draft of your speech, a final version, practicing your speech, etc. This will help make sure you don't put off working on your speech.

Working it out,

Tim

June 11, 2008

The story's in the details

Fellow speaker,

When giving details in your speeches, make sure there is a story to go with the details.

Detailing,

Tim

June 10, 2008

Sneak up on 'em

Fellow speaker,

When making your points, don't "hit the audience over the head" with what you have to say. Instead, weave the points into the speech, so the audience enjoys the speech and only later do they get the full power of the points.

Sneakily,

Tim

June 9, 2008

I get your point

Fellow speaker,

When using a story to make a point, make the story as easy to understand as possible, so everyone in the audience gets the point.

Pointedly,

Tim

June 8, 2008

Write first

Fellow speaker,

It can be tempting to want to stick in a lot of visuals and "flash" into your presentations. But remember that the visuals are there only to back up the speech. So get the speech first straight in your head first. Then put in a visual or two if it is necessary to make the speech points.

Pointedly,

Tim

June 7, 2008

What they really really want

Fellow speaker,

Your audiences have certain things they want out of your speech:
  • What’s in it for me?
  • What do you want me to do?
  • Why will I be better off?
  • Reinforce my confidence in…
About the wants,
Tim

June 6, 2008

Keep it casual

Fellow speaker,

When speaking to an audience, make sure your speeches sound like a personal presentation...not a lecture. Keep your speeches comfortable and casual, so they are easy for the audience to understand and use.

Comfortably,

Tim

June 5, 2008

Get some new blood

Fellow speaker,

Sometime it helps to get "new blood" in working on your speeches. Getting a speaking coach or mentor helps you:
  • See the "old stuff" in a new way
  • Have fun with your speaking again
  • Keep the information fresh and interesting

Minding the mentor,

Tim

June 4, 2008

Practice while you talk!

Fellow speaker,

Remember that you can also practice your speech methods during normal conversation. Work on vocal variety, gesturing, stage movement, etc. in your next conversation.

Working it out,

Tim

June 3, 2008

Catch 'em by the title

Fellow speaker,

Make sure the titles of your speeches are interesting and draw the audience into your speech. Use "You"  or "Your" in the title to capture attention and personalize your speech title.

Titled,

Tim

June 2, 2008

No new ideas

Fellow speaker,

Remember that it isn't about having new ideas...it's about finding new ways to get these ideas across to your audience. Your speech doesn't have to be completely original...but it does have to have an impact on your audience.

Impacting,

Tim

June 1, 2008

Advice from Shakespeare

Fellow speaker,

Shakespeare has some great advice for us to keep in mind when making our speeches:
"It is better to be brief than tedious."
Ensure your speeches are to the point and are interesting to your audience.

Interestingly,

Tim