Public speaking- time to get help!

[Mike Hill]

I did this.

 

I approached a man preaching the Word of God in Brixton and explained my fear of pubilc speaking.No one was paying attention to this guy anyway to I had a go,just reading from the Bible and not looking up.After a little bit I could memorise a Sentence or two and meet peoples gaze whilst talking.

 

I joined this guy a few times and gave his Church some Money to thank him for his help.

[Heads up]

Hip flask it is then hama.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I did this.

 

I approached a man preaching the Word of God in Brixton and explained my fear of pubilc speaking.No one was paying attention to this guy anyway to I had a go,just reading from the Bible and not looking up.After a little bit I could memorise a Sentence or two and meet peoples gaze whilst talking.

 

I joined this guy a few times and gave his Church some Money to thank him for his help.

 

That my good man may well be a very good idea, certainly better than the hip flask option!

[penfold]

if you use power point, tony, just remember that less is better when it comes to your slides and also use animations on your slide so that as you come to a subject it appears on the board.

[Stereo]

One thing I try to remember is that each and every person in the audience is a human as well, probably shares your fear and many will know full well what it takes to get up there. It's the fear of the laughing at you en-masse I suppose. they won't though. When I'm in the crowd, I always respect the speaker because I put myself in their shoes and know it takes guts for most of us. 99% of the crowd will fell the same way I think.

 

Second, I use a strategy. I'm not an extrovert, I'm a quiet kind of guy. So, if I have to do anything like this, I invent a character and play him. He's not afraid, he's just going to do it and they are going to listen. I have done this before and people have said they were amazed that I had it in me. The key is that it wasn't me, it was this other plonker who thinks he's the biz.

 

Third of course is preperation. Have something to say and have plenty of back up material as well which you don't plan to use but can call on.

 

Lastly, I would say is practice your speaking. The worst thing you can do is um and ah. Better to speak slowly and clearly than be umming every other word. This is the thing which comes across so badly if you think about it. Practice prescision and pause rather than um.

 

Hope this helps and good luck plus respect for having the balls to get up there.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

One thing I try to remember is that each and every person in the audience is a human as well, probably shares your fear and many will know full well what it takes to get up there. It's the fear of the laughing at you en-masse I suppose. they won't though. When I'm in the crowd, I always respect the speaker because I put myself in their shoes and know it takes guts for most of us. 99% of the crowd will fell the same way I think.

 

Second, I use a strategy. I'm not an extrovert, I'm a quiet kind of guy. So, if I have to do anything like this, I invent a character and play him. He's not afraid, he's just going to do it and they are going to listen. I have done this before and people have said they were amazed that I had it in me. The key is that it wasn't me, it was this other plonker who thinks he's the biz.

 

Third of course is preperation. Have something to say and have plenty of back up material as well which you don't plan to use but can call on.

 

Lastly, I would say is practice your speaking. The worst thing you can do is um and ah. Better to speak slowly and clearly than be umming every other word. This is the thing which comes across so badly if you think about it. Practice prescision and pause rather than um.

 

Hope this helps and good luck plus respect for having the balls to get up there.

 

Thanks, some good pointers in there, I guess the reality is I havent got the balls, im doing this because its what my friends want, me personaly I would run like the wind!

[Ian Clarke]

with power points becareful not to just read what is on your slide as i know it bores me and quite probably other people.

 

public speaking i would not worry much you know your subject the people there want to be there. and once the first few sentences are out of the way youll be in the swing of things.

 

good luck where are you possibily speaking?

[Ian Clarke]

also like stereo said about um and ah

dont say anything

c$onsider your answer

silently phrase it in your head .......... pause ..........then answer

[chilli]

Tony, talking on your subject to an interested group who have invited you along is much less difficult than best man duties.

For me, I had to sort out the practical bits first. Some speakers like to wander about, others to stand still. Me, I prefer to perch on the edge of a stool. Some like their hands free to wave about & be expressive with their arms. I need to have hold of something, maybe only a pen.

Take along something to show. For example, a bonsai tree. A full tree in miniature from which you can point out examples of what you are talking about. Maybe a three or so year old sapling in a pot. Gives you something to refer to &/or pass around your audience.

One of my mates talks to groups about antiques allied to the catering business (he's a chef). He always takes along a little something which is old & unusual & kicks off his talk asking if anyone can guess what it is & then leaves it on the side & says "I'll tell you later". I'm sure you could find something interesting/different/odd in one of your kit boxes.

If you can engage & interact with the audience right at the start then you will immediately be more comfortable & your love of the subject will carry you through.

[Ian H]

Thanks, some good pointers in there, I guess the reality is I havent got the balls, im doing this because its what my friends want, me personaly I would run like the wind!

 

Tony there's no question you know your subject, my question to you is why are you doing it, just for your friends? perhaps this isn't the right time, when i've done it in the past begrudgingly it has never gone as well as i'd hoped.

 

Do it for the right reasons mate not just because you feel arm twisted into it.

 

Good luck and apologies if this feels like a negative response.