Comments on: Public Speaking: How to put your best foot forward http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/ Small Business Branding and Marketing Advice and Commentary Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:25:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Theresa Walsh http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-334852 Theresa Walsh Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:37:41 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-334852 Martin, you are absolutely right. Once you are prepared and you don't have this nasty feeling that there might be something wrong with the way you look (like the zipper or something in your teeth), you will be much more relaxed delivering your speech. Martin, you are absolutely right. Once you are prepared and you don’t have this nasty feeling that there might be something wrong with the way you look (like the zipper or something in your teeth), you will be much more relaxed delivering your speech.

]]> By: Martin Ng http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-255210 Martin Ng Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:24:57 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-255210 I would have to add that the basics are also important. Go to the toilet - and don't drink too much water or coffee during your presentation! Make sure your clothes are ironed, and check your zipper before you go anywhere near the stage. Check your teeth in the mirror - and then feel comfortable to smile, and smile a lot! I would have to add that the basics are also important. Go to the toilet – and don’t drink too much water or coffee during your presentation!
Make sure your clothes are ironed, and check your zipper before you go anywhere near the stage.
Check your teeth in the mirror – and then feel comfortable to smile, and smile a lot!

]]> By: Ed Roach http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-83324 Ed Roach Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:13:31 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-83324 You know Derrick it's funny, but your absolutely right. "Just get up and do it." is really all you need to know. Before I did my first engagment I put so much thought into it, I was feeding my anxiety. Once I just threw myself out there and starting addressing the topic it became fun quickly. Thanks for your encouragement! You know Derrick it’s funny, but your absolutely right. “Just get up and do it.” is really all you need to know. Before I did my first engagment I put so much thought into it, I was feeding my anxiety. Once I just threw myself out there and starting addressing the topic it became fun quickly.

Thanks for your encouragement!

]]> By: Australian Public Speaking courses http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-83149 Australian Public Speaking courses Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:16:38 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-83149 great points on Public Speaking. The best way to improve is to simply get up and do it. Toastmasters is great for that. Cheers Darren Fleming www.executivespeaking.com.au great points on Public Speaking.

The best way to improve is to simply get up and do it. Toastmasters is great for that.

Cheers

Darren Fleming
http://www.executivespeaking.com.au

]]> By: Danielle http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76757 Danielle Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:47:02 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76757 I’m glad you liked the idea Ed, it’s always worked a treat for me. And I think you’re spot on that it will help get your audience to better understand. I find that getting them to join in verbally really depends on your topic. Definitely use "how many of you chose this over that?", because people love to see what other people chose. Selecting people who went against the majority to share their thoughts usually opens up opportunities to make important points, and also asking if anyone thought anything other than the options on the sheet can also open up some interesting discussion. I’ve always found that actively making your audience part of your presentation (i.e., when they have to DO something) also makes them more willing to join in verbally. It sort of "primes" them. I recommend having a bit of fun where you can, and "tease" them occasionally too... they love it. A few surprise things on your tick & flick sheet is good too. You can break each section up with a "Did you know?" and add an interesting fact or statistic related to your topic. People love that sort of stuff. And also add a couple of "ridiculous" options as one of the choices – everyone loves a laugh. All these things also get them chatting with their neighbour too, which makes it a nice atmosphere. Yeah actually, I was really daunted by Toastmasters at first! But I’m fortunate that ours is a fairly young club and the culture is very supportive. It’s a wonderful forum to experiment in. Would you believe I’m now a record holder at our club – I currently hold the record for the most "um’s" ever uttered in any one night! :) ...apparently this means I need to pause more ... "there's power in the pause"! I’m glad you liked the idea Ed, it’s always worked a treat for me. And I think you’re spot on that it will help get your audience to better understand.

I find that getting them to join in verbally really depends on your topic. Definitely use “how many of you chose this over that?”, because people love to see what other people chose. Selecting people who went against the majority to share their thoughts usually opens up opportunities to make important points, and also asking if anyone thought anything other than the options on the sheet can also open up some interesting discussion. I’ve always found that actively making your audience part of your presentation (i.e., when they have to DO something) also makes them more willing to join in verbally. It sort of “primes” them. I recommend having a bit of fun where you can, and “tease” them occasionally too… they love it.

A few surprise things on your tick & flick sheet is good too. You can break each section up with a “Did you know?” and add an interesting fact or statistic related to your topic. People love that sort of stuff. And also add a couple of “ridiculous” options as one of the choices – everyone loves a laugh. All these things also get them chatting with their neighbour too, which makes it a nice atmosphere.

Yeah actually, I was really daunted by Toastmasters at first! But I’m fortunate that ours is a fairly young club and the culture is very supportive. It’s a wonderful forum to experiment in. Would you believe I’m now a record holder at our club – I currently hold the record for the most “um’s” ever uttered in any one night! :) …apparently this means I need to pause more … “there’s power in the pause”!

]]> By: Small Business Recommended Reading (7-2-07) http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76670 Small Business Recommended Reading (7-2-07) Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:52:03 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76670 [...] Public Speaking: How to put your best foot forward Small Business Branding [...] [...] Public Speaking: How to put your best foot forward Small Business Branding [...]

]]> By: Ed Roach http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76562 Ed Roach Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:34:25 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76562 I like that Danielle. I'm going to use the question sheet idea. When they did check off their answers, how did you get them to join in verbally? For instance did you ask questions like: "how many of you chose this over that? For my own presentation, I could see how this would help get the audience to better understand why paying attention to their own brand is so very important. I think I will use it as a re-cap after each section. Nice tip. I tried Toastmasters once myself. I had a heck of a time introducing myself. I was impressed with the talent in the room. William, I agree with your attitude towards public speaking. I really enjoy the one-on-one discussions following events. A superb opportunity to pick up new business. I like that Danielle. I’m going to use the question sheet idea. When they did check off their answers, how did you get them to join in verbally? For instance did you ask questions like: “how many of you chose this over that? For my own presentation, I could see how this would help get the audience to better understand why paying attention to their own brand is so very important. I think I will use it as a re-cap after each section. Nice tip.

I tried Toastmasters once myself. I had a heck of a time introducing myself. I was impressed with the talent in the room.

William, I agree with your attitude towards public speaking. I really enjoy the one-on-one discussions following events. A superb opportunity to pick up new business.

]]> By: Danielle http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76556 Danielle Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:06:35 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76556 Hi Ed, Great article! I'm not long home from my Toastmasters meeting and felt compelled to comment! :) I totally agree with the "questioning" approach, or more specifically, making it interactive. And I've found there's heaps of ways you can do this when you get creative. I discovered this wonderful technique by accident back when I first studied HR. I was so nervous about getting up in front of the class so I tried to come up with ways to deflect the attention from myself. I decided to structure the entire presentation so that it was interactive, and gave them a 1 page sheet that they had to tick off their answers to as we went (with a few trick questions to make it fun). It worked a treat, they loved it and it took the heat off me!! I also learnt that this is a wonderful way to "demonstrate" your points. What's more, your audience will have fun and they'll also remember you. Hi Ed,

Great article! I’m not long home from my Toastmasters meeting and felt compelled to comment! :)

I totally agree with the “questioning” approach, or more specifically, making it interactive. And I’ve found there’s heaps of ways you can do this when you get creative.

I discovered this wonderful technique by accident back when I first studied HR. I was so nervous about getting up in front of the class so I tried to come up with ways to deflect the attention from myself. I decided to structure the entire presentation so that it was interactive, and gave them a 1 page sheet that they had to tick off their answers to as we went (with a few trick questions to make it fun). It worked a treat, they loved it and it took the heat off me!!

I also learnt that this is a wonderful way to “demonstrate” your points. What’s more, your audience will have fun and they’ll also remember you.

]]> By: William Profet from OneJobTwoSalaries.com http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76547 William Profet from OneJobTwoSalaries.com Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:22:53 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76547 This is a great article with very useful tips. Every time I face people in order to make a presentation I have to reinvent the wheel, but I am going to use these tips next time. I believe that speaking skills are crucial for success and everyone who want to achieve something in life must be a good speaker!!! Regards, William This is a great article with very useful tips. Every time I face people in order to make a presentation I have to reinvent the wheel, but I am going to use these tips next time.

I believe that speaking skills are crucial for success and everyone who want to achieve something in life must be a good speaker!!!

Regards,
William

]]> By: Ed Roach http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76375 Ed Roach Sun, 01 Jul 2007 14:04:10 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76375 Rajesh and David, I'm glad you both like to ask questions as well. I like how it helps to take the edge off right away. Since I am not a "professionally trained" speaker, this always makes it easier and definitely more enjoyable. I wonder if other readers have experiences to share? Rajesh and David,

I’m glad you both like to ask questions as well. I like how it helps to take the edge off right away. Since I am not a “professionally trained” speaker, this always makes it easier and definitely more enjoyable.

I wonder if other readers have experiences to share?

]]> By: David Airey :: Creative Design :: http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76373 David Airey :: Creative Design :: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:48:57 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76373 Hi Ed, Very useful pointers here, particularly asking questions of attendees. Having the audience take part builds interest and keeps them alert. There's nothing better than a one-way, monotone preach to get those eye-lids heading south. Hi Ed,

Very useful pointers here, particularly asking questions of attendees. Having the audience take part builds interest and keeps them alert. There’s nothing better than a one-way, monotone preach to get those eye-lids heading south.

]]> By: Rajesh Shakya http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-76210 Rajesh Shakya Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:41:07 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/753/public-speaking-how-to-put-your-best-foot-forward/#comment-76210 Very useful suggestions. When I speak in front of my audience, I love to ask few warm-up questions and try to make them part of the show. With that I quickly understand the type of audience and I choose my presentation strategy based on that. I don't use game like strategy but I mostly ask the audience to share their opinion or experience on that. Rajesh Shakya http://www.rajeshshakya.com Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life! Very useful suggestions.
When I speak in front of my audience, I love to ask few warm-up questions and try to make them part of the show. With that I quickly understand the type of audience and I choose my presentation strategy based on that. I don’t use game like strategy but I mostly ask the audience to share their opinion or experience on that.

Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!

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