This great post from Olivia Mitchell
Are your slides ‘Visual Musak’?
I saw very few bullet-point presentations at the SXSW conference. Yay! But I did see a disturbing trend – the overuse of flickr photos and other interesting images. These photos sometimes feature stunning photography, they’re quirky and interesting. The problem is ...
.... http://bit.ly/beAIHa
And the first part of any speech or presentation is to gain that attention – arouse it, focus it and keep it. Don’t waste your breath on the expected or the blah. If you must begin with something like “Good evening”, then make it different, or unusual. Here in Australia, we might say “G’day!” That would be unexpected. Otherwise use your voice and body language to make the greeting unusual, challenging, noticeable. Use pause here. Then use an opening that grabs the attention. You can use a question, a joke, a comment about the people or surroundings or event.
You can make a statement, use a quotation, or simply use body language or gesture. But choose that opening to grab attention, to align with the audience and their needs, hopes and aspirations, and to lead into your message.
A presentation can succeed or fail depending on whether your audinece stays with you or not.
Get this free set of tips on "Writing your presentation to keep audience attention", and improve YOUR chances of success!
As always just let me know if you want to receive the tips
From a Commentary post at Meetingsnet ...
Don't Let a Speaker's Style Defeat Substance
A keynote speaker at Meeting Professionals International's MeetDifferent 2010 has been generating sparks from bloggers who followed the conference, not because of his message, but for the way he delivered it.
The speaker was branding specialist Marty Neumeier, who preached a philosophy of radical simplicity for organizations in search of products that are both good and different. The message was strong, but for much of the audience, Neumeier's style was his undoing.
Read the rest of the post ... and what do you think... should a speaker be hired if his/her material is outstanding, but presentation woeful?
[From Nancy Daniels]
Color is the life, the emotion, the animation, and the passion you express in speaking. Whether you are in conversation, holding a conference call, or giving a speech or presentation, not expressing color when you talk is referred to as speaking in monotone. Another way of saying it is boring.
I have found a distinct relationship between dressing colorfully and speaking with expression. While I am generalizing, it has been interesting to see how those who dress with color usually speak with color as well; whereas, those who do tend to be staid in their appearance often speak in a monotone.
One of my clients came to her sessions every week dressed in black with long straight black hair and no makeup. Trying to get her to put some life into her delivery was like pulling teeth. Her appearance was bland as well as her voice. She resisted change because it meant that she would have to allow for some emotion and that was her stumbling block.
Again I am generalizing, but I have found that accountants, research scientists, and professional athletes are often lacking in expressive delivery. If you look at the human dynamics model, these people are more than likely mentally-centered or physically-centered. It does not mean they do not feel emotion: they tend to keep their emotions inside. And, this is not something found just in those three professions. A surprising number of print journalists and visual artists are indeed very expressive in the printed word or in their art, but they often will not voice those emotions in speaking.
Color is heard not just in the voice but is seen in the face as well as in one's body language. A good example of an actor with tremendous facial expression and body language is Harrison Ford. He does not have to say one word for you to know exactly how he is feeling. Just by watching the expression on his face and the movement of his body, you know what is happening.
Do not think that keeping your emotions hidden is a strength. It is not - it is a weakness. You can have the greatest voice in the world but if you speak in a monotone, exhibiting no emotion in your face or in your body language, then you will put your audience to sleep. Being expressive, be it at the lectern or just in conversation, is a requirement if you want your message to be heard.
This is an mp3 album.
Some of the topics:
10 Tips for Speakers
6 Questions That Professionals Speakers Answer
Easy Ways to Remember Your Speech and Other Material
How to Handle Questions During a Presentation
How Free Speaking Gigs Will Help You
How to Deal With a Negative Audience
How to Market Yourself As a Professional Speaker
Successful Transitions for Your Presentation
The Real Message the Professional Speakers Send
Where to Find Professional Speaking Jobs
Get more information here or you can buy it from Amazon
Let’s talk about the marketing materials you need to develop a paid public speaking career. There are a few essentials: a DVD, a website, a book, a one-sheet. And a number of should-haves: a social media presence, a blog, a press kit, handouts, YouTube videos. And after that, the only limit is your imagination. The Carrot Principle authors sent 4-foot stuffed carrots to speakers’ bureaus to catch their attention (it worked). A speaker we know sent live goldfish to speakers’ bureaus for the same reason (the goldfish mostly died). Seth Godin reaches out to his base with promotions, seminars, special deals, unique offers – almost daily. He’s a brilliant marketer, and it shows (and it works).
But let’s talk about the essentials first.
... and you can read them here ...
It was downright devious, definitely bordered on preposterous, and decidedly over the top. Maybe even a little cheesy. Yet the audience gobbled it up.
The speaker gave a brilliant performance. He courted his audience's emotions. He pushed and pulled on their hot buttons. He pandered to the whimsical fancies of the crowd.
Effective?
Yes... if you're looking for a temporary high.
Valuable?
No, not at all. I remembered what he did-but I didn't get anything meaningful from his talk. In short, it seemed like he was just blowing motivational smoke down into our collective consciousness.
With his deep, thundering preacher's voice he rhythmically concluded his speech in a poetic cadence. Then he ripped open the front of his shirt ala Hulk Hogan. The buttons danced all over the stage injecting spontaneous combustion to his ending.
And the crowd roared with abundant enthusiasm...
They chanted. They cheered. They fed off his energy. They wanted more. They rose off their seats applauding His Highness.
I discreetly shook my head in disbelief...
He gave the crowd a buzz and milked it for what its worth. He sold them their fix by shooting them in the arm with a rush of "feel good" adrenaline. I thought the days of rah-rah hype ended in the 80's. Guess not.
You see, His Highness didn't engage his audience at all. He pumped them up with motivational "feel good" bullet points. This type of oratory works well if you balance it with substance and meaning. Otherwise people will lose that good feeling somewhere between the time they drive off the parking lot and the time they swing open their front door.
So what's the secret to engaging your audience at a world-class level?
1) Start with a story. But not just any story. A personal story. One that puts you right dab in the middle of it. Preferably, one that no one else in the world can tell but you. And by all means, let us know who you really are.
2) Expose the conflict. Is there a problem that needs resolving? Is there an archenemy? Can you quote facts and figures? Who are the victims if nothing is done?
3) Identify the solution. Is it a product? Maybe a program. Perhaps it's an organization. What makes this solution unique? How does this stand out from other solutions?
4) Name the beneficiaries. Who benefits from this solution? Are they your clients? Maybe they're your donors. Do they live overseas? And how are they benefiting?
5) Give your reason. Now answer the why question. What do you get for doing this? What caused you to get involved? Why should prospects join, buy or promote what you offer?
I know you're smart enough to not follow in His Highness' footsteps. You have an authentic, passionate message you want to present at a world-class level. And you realize giving genuine value through a personal story will touch, engage and affect an audience much more and much longer than chants and cheers alone.
This is a great article ....
The ideas are simple, but powerful, and they apply as much to public speaking as they do to conversation.
Some of the headings are:
Express your thoughts clearly:
The effective communicator has empathy:
Be "truly present"
.
Be a good listener:
... and more - you can read the article in the Pivotal Magazine
Ah ... a contentious statement, that! What do you think? A great way to visualise the structure of your presentation or speech?
Yes. True. It's simplistic, and yes it has been abused.
Audiences may have short attention spans, but they need some subtelty from you.
But then, used subtly, yes it does work.
And that is because we all do have such short attention spans - including our audiences! If we want to make a point that will stay with an audience after they leave the room, we have to repeat and reinforce it throughout the presentation.
We also need to attract the attention, early in the speech, of those who learn best by being told, right from the start, what to expect from any session. If this step is skipped, we lose those people. They fidget and are uncomfortable.
Yes there are a myriad ways to structure a speech. And they can be used within the (subtle) main "Introduction, Body, conclusion." Storytelling, plot twists, meandering, and so many more all have their uses at the right place and time.
And for those creating a speech for the first time, its is a fundamental way to remind them to stay focussed on purpose and message, and to work with an audience to get that purpose achieved and message embedded.