Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Public Speaking Secrets

Many people worry about delivering a speech at a wedding, corporate event and even in front of a few people they know. In this article, I will give you the tips and techniques that will make your next speech a winner.
The first step is to make sure you know the presentation inside and out. Read it over every chance you get.
You should practice the speech in surroundings similar to the place you'll be delivering it. If you're going to be in front of a podium, then put together something in your living room that resembles a podium. If you're not sure what it's going to be like at the event, simply stand in the center of your living room.
When you first practice the talk, I suggest you use an old acting trick. Say the words in all kinds of different ways. You can do part of the speech in a high voice, part in a lower one, try a funny voice or making the speech overly serious. Also exaggerate your arm movements. After a few sessions of doing the speech like this, begin to practice it the way you'll perform it at the event. You'll find that you automatically do it correctly and use the right gestures.
Deep Breathing during your talk is important because it will keep you calm as well as make your voice sound better. To practice deep breathing, walk down the street, breathing in slowly for four counts. Then slowly exhale for four counts. This will get your lungs used to handling more oxygen. Practice this at every opportunity. The next time you work on the speech, you'll notice that you are breathing more deeply.
Go early to the place where you'll be speaking and try to practice a bit there. If you can't, just breath deeply before you go on. This will help you relax. When it's time for your speech, walk in slowly, look at the audience and smile. Slow down all your movements. If you move too quickly it comes across as nervousness. Finally, stand in front of the crowd, pause for a count of three, then begin your speech.
Practise these tips and I know you'll get great results!

Hypnosis For A Better Life

When I was a kid I was very shy. So I read lots of books on how to be more confident. None of them worked. Things changed, however, when I found a book on hypnosis.
Hypnosis is simply relaxation plus affirmations. The great thing is that anyone can do it and it will improve just about anything in your life. It is very safe and you will feel completely relaxed.
The first step is to get relaxed. My favorite method of doing this is to use visualization. Think of a time when you were most calm. Perhaps you were lying on a beach somewhere during a beautiful sunny day. Then describe to yourself all the details that made it relaxing, such as the sounds of the waves, the blue sky. The next step is to record the details of this on a recording device such as a tape recorder. The following is the visualization that I use to get myself relaxed.
"Imagine that you are lying on a beach on a sunny day. You feel calm and peaceful. The sun is warming your body. It shines down on your right arm, relaxing it. Now, it moves onto your left arm, relaxing that."
You follow that with the sun shining on your legs, chest and face.
When you've done that, you deepen the relaxation by counting from ten to one, telling yourself that you will relax more with each number. When you get to ten, you tell yourself that you will be very relaxed.
You follow that with affirmations to improve whatever it is you want to improve in your life.
If you want to be more confident, tell yourself --"Every day I find myself getting more and more confident."
If you want to be neater --"I keep my room clean on a daily basis."
If you want to learn a skill faster --"I rapidly improve at tennis."
Of course there are many other suggestions that you can use as well.
The important thing is to make sure they are written in a positive manner. Do not say, "every day I won't be so bad at playing tennis." Your mind will not understand this and won't give you good results.
It would also be helpful to use words like, "enjoy." For example, "every day I enjoy cleaning up more and more." It will make you feel better about doing a task that you don't really want to do.
Repeat each suggestion at least seven to ten times on your recording device. That way it will make an impression on your mind.
All that's left is to lie down on your bed and play the tape recorder.
You'll notice improvements in your life very soon!

Easy Speech Writing

We all want to deliver a great speech, but many people find it difficult. I have developed a logical approach that I think you'll find easy and very effective. I have used these techniques for everything from a corporate talk to a best man speech at a wedding.
Let's say your topic is Global Warming. Your first step would be to go to the library and do some research. I'd suggest you do this, even if you are an expert in the field. You may learn some interesting nuggets of information that will upgrade your speech from the ordinary to the spectacular.
The next step is to divide your topic into several subtopics, such as the following--
1) Introduction and overview.
2) When and how we first become aware of Global Warming.
3) The reasons some scientists say it doesn't exist.
4) Scientific proof it does exist.
5) Things we can we do to stop it.
If you're writing a best man speech for a wedding, the technique is the same. You'll still need research, but that would involve asking friends for information. Your subtopics might include things like, 'What I thought about the groom when I first met him,' and 'What the groom has to change now that he's married.'
Get five pieces of paper and write each of the subtopics on a different sheet. Under each one, write as much as you can, based on what you know and your research. In the 'introduction and overview section,' write why this is an important area to discuss and what your credentials are to discuss it. If you don't have credentials, talk about your great interest in this subject. In the best man speech you would tell everyone who you are and how you know the groom. In both cases, you are giving the audience a reason for listening.
When you finish writing, you may find the speech is too long or too short. If it's too long, obviously you can cut it. But if it's too short, then add more information to each of the subtopics. You can also add more subtopics.
The human brain tends to tire after listening to someone speak for a while. So to refresh your audience, I suggest that every ten minutes or so you add in a joke, question or interesting bit of research.
When you've finished writing the speech, let it sit for a few days. Then look it over and make any changes you think you should.
When you read it again, I think you'll be very pleased. Good Luck!

About Me

I have been involved in many areas of life--business, therapy, management, but my prime focus over the years has been comedy. I write it in many forms. I have written jokes for famous comedy stars as well as ventriloquists, Las Vegas performers and even the odd politician. I have taught courses on the subject of humor and performed as a stand up comedian. As well, I have also worked as a close-up and stage magician in the U.S. and Canada. Some of my other interests include writing short stories for various magazines. Currently I am working on a mystery novel.