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| August 4 - Humor Using humor in your speech gives you an opportunity to make yourself and your audience feel great. Talks that are for entertainment purposes only, should generally leave the audience laughing. Even the most serious subjects can benefit from humor, but the humor should be sprinkled throughout the body of the presentation. Do not leave it for the closing or the audience may see your attitude as flippant. Or, have your audience laughing along as you make your points, then end your speech on a serious note. This will create a greater impact. It will convey the fact that you believe in a light-hearted approach to the subject but the results are very serious to you. |
| August 11 - Emotions Let yourself be seen and heard. Allow your emotions to flow through your voice and your actions. Sharing touching or disturbing information without expression will only alienate you from your audience. Cry when you tell a sad story as long as you do not breakdown. Get angry when an injustice exists but do not become enraged. Laugh when something funny happens but do not laugh at yourself when other are not. In other words, be transparent, allowing your audience to see YOU. Let them see the natural way you react, your style, the you, you are with your friends. Be personable rather than professional. Professionals often distance themselves from the audience but you want to be part of it. Let your inside show on the outside. We are all guilty of bottling up our feelings out of the fear of looking foolish. Seek value, not validation. Let them see your desire to provide valuable information. Validation looks for acceptance and may cause you to do anything, but be yourself, in order to gain it. People want to see and hear YOU. Do not disappoint them by building a wall they cannot see through. |
| August 18 - Sharing Art Imitates Life, that means that your speaking should resemble your living. It is you that creates the value of the information you provide. Anyone can regurgitate facts but those facts applied in your life make the difference. Sharing what you have learned/discovered will connect you with the audience and help them apply the knowledge as well. Share your stories more than the stories of others. Use your personality and allow it to reflect the inner you. (If your personality stinks, work on it but do not fake it.) Share your experience not your theories. Many speakers are so busy trying to impress the audience, they forget to be real. If you really want to impress them, be you. |
| Past Speaking Tips of the Week - August |