Talking about public speaking
Feb 3rd, 2008 by Ollie Lind
Over the years I have taught literally hundreds of people the skill and art of public speaking. On many occasions people ask me for tips on how to improve their presentations. Invariably I give them some tools to use.
What I’d like to do here is address one of the most overlooked areas of public speaking. To my mind one of the most critical elements is WHAT YOU SAY.
At the end of the day it is the message that is paramount. I was highly amused by reports that the Academy Award ceremony might be cancelled because of the writer’s strike. I wondered at why the highly professional actors who would be presenters would know what to say, wouldn’t be able to present without a script.
In fact, when we see newsreaders or other presenters apparently speak directly to us they are, in fact, reading a teleprompter behind the camera. So, the apparently best communicators are really the best readers who can look past the camera whilst appearing to speak into it.
So, the real deal, as far as I am concerned is live presentations. That is real public speaking. I think this underlines how important the content is in any address. Logically, people want to know the message.
So, the question arises, how can you deliver an address spontaneously and not miss out on any of the important points? None of us like listening to someone read notes when public speaking. Why is that? Simply, they don’t have their attention on us.
Let me give you some tips that will enable you to really communicate well and not miss any important points. It requires planning. I’ll tell you one of the strategies I have used for years.
Point: Any address is like a meal. You have an entree’, a main course and a sweet. In between courses at any first class restaurant you have a sorbet to cleanse the palate so you can appreciate fully the next course.
Point: You examine your subject and summarize what you want to say in about eight words. For example you might pose it as a question. “Tonight I want to examine just how we can etc,etc.” There is your entree.
Point: The main course is the body of your message. Here you should have bullet points, or key words written down so you can glance at a point, then look at your audience and tell them what the segment of the subject is.
Point: I use what I call “The logic path.” That is, define the subject, ask a question and answer it, ask the next logical question and so on. Just analyse the approach you want to take to really understand the subject. This will give you a logical list of questions you can then pose and answer as you go.
Point: The sorbet you should use is humour, self depreciating is best. Each humourous aside gives the audience a break and frees up their attention. They are then fresh to absorb new information.
Point: The sweet is simply a quick summary of the topic and a positive reinforcement of your main points. Aristotle said, “Get in late, get out early.” This simply means leave them wanting more. Be interested, make your subject interesting and real and BE GENUINE.
Live Well,
Ollie Lind