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Seven Secrets of Successful Speakers (And All Writers are Speakers…)
By admin | August 9, 2009
By Doctor Mark William Cochran
“Ummmmmm….”
“I’m sorry, I’m not really very prepared…”
(SQUWA-A-AK! BWOOP! SCRE-E-E-ECH!) “Oops … um … heh heh …”
“I DON’T NEED THE MIKE. MY VOICE REALLY CARRIES. CAN YA HEAR ME IN THE BACK?”
(Thump, thump.) “Pfft, pfft. ’Zis thing on?”
“I know this is kinda boring, but…”
How many times have you heard a speaker begin a speech in one of those ways? How many times might you have opened a presentation like that? These common flubs are the mark of a rank amateur and will turn off an audience faster than flipping a switch.
As a writer, your communication skills don’t stop at the keyboard. You will better serve your audience—and yourself—when you have the ability to speak as clearly and eloquently as you write. Speaking opportunities include giving a presentation at a book signing, pitching to a publisher, being interviewed on Oprah or just conversing with a friend about your work.
Seven Secrets of Successful Speakers
1. Scope out the Scene. Arrive early—well before the audience begins to arrive—and walk around the speaking and seating areas. Identify spots where the acoustics and lines of sight may present challenges, and make adjustments before you begin. Practice using the microphone (always!) and any audiovisual equipment you will be using.
2. Become one with your audience. Present material that is of interest to those listening. Meet some of the audience members and learn a little about them. If there is a reception or meal before your speech, attend it in its entirety so that you can begin to resonate with the people you are serving. Your speech will be better received when you and your audience are sharing the same energy field.
3. Know your stuff. This sounds obvious but many speakers are far less familiar with their material than they realize. If you know in advance that you’re not ready, you’ll be nervous. If you discover your lack of familiarity after you start speaking, you may freeze. Professionals rehearse before taking the stage. Amateurs practice when they get there.
4. Visualize success. Before going on stage, close your eyes, relax, and picture yourself delivering your speech with a strong, clear voice and a confident, self assured manner. Visualize, feel and experience yourself as an articulate, clever, charming speaker. Do this many times in the days leading to your presentation. Right before you take the stage, set the intention that you will deliver the perfect presentation for that audience at that time.
5. You da ma’am (or da man)! The very fact that you’re up front giving a speech makes you and your subject important to your listeners. Don’t shrink.
6. No apologies. If you apologize for your inexperience, lack of preparation, nervousness or mistakes, you’ll only be calling attention to things that your audience may never have noticed. You risk losing their confidence.
7. Butterflies in your stomach? Fly with them! Nervousness is energy. Channel that energy into your presentation as enthusiasm and vitality.
Follow these tips and soon you’ll be receiving applause instead of guffaws. Heads will be nodding in agreement rather than nodding off. You will be in command and in demand!
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