Comments on: Investing in Yourself: Public Speaking

By: garmah

garmah — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:13:35 +0000

hello,

first of,i’de like to say that we owe a huge thank-you to the writer of this helpfull piece of information.second,as a public speaker coach,i highly recammand join Toastmasters so as to master this skill and get red of that feeling of fear of being the focus of the crowd.

By: Andre

Andre — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:18:40 +0000

First and foremost, I loved “How to Win Friends…”. It also had a profound effect on my life.

I was lucky enough to be part of an organization called the Junior Statesmen of America when I was in high school. It was a fantastic organization that helped me get ride of any inhibitions I had about public speaking.

If you have kids, get them to be a part of it!

By: Dorothy Lynn

Dorothy Lynn — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:06:53 +0000

Thanks for writing about the importance of being able to speak in public. Most people do not realize the importance of mastering this skill.

Our company specializes in helping people find out that they really have a good speaker hidden inside. That speaker just needs to learn how to bring it out.

I also belong to Toastmasters and it’s a good place to practice with friendly evaluators to help you get better. It is not a teaching environment although you do learn by watching what others do well (or not) and by getting up in front of others in a safe environment.

By: Art Gelwicks

Art Gelwicks — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:20:36 +0000

As a Toastmaster and public speaking tutor there is nothing better than taking opportunities to speak when they present themselves. Groups such as Toastmasters provide that on a regular basis with a structure and protected environment for growth and success. Even so, you still need to cross the tightrope without a net and get in front of an audience to test and develop your skills even more.

By: Empress Juju

Empress Juju — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:45:07 +0000

I took a voice class at the community college when I was in my early twenties… it was part of the theatre department, but it has been one of the best $50 I ever spent (aside from that public speaking class;). I have an unusual last name, and I spent twenty minutes in class learning how to enunciate it clearly! Who would have thought to practice saying their own name so that people could understand it?!

I get complimented on my voice and speech all the time, and am told that I sound confident, sophisticated, and well-educated…Not too shabby for a high-school dropout from the wrong side of the tracks!

I do most of my business one-on-one, and I have found that having organized thoughts and clear, slow speech does indeed help me to communicate clearly in those situations, as well.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:17:22 +0000

Andy’s point #2 is one worth repeating: people want you to do well. Your audience is rooting for you! I’m an actor, and I find that auditions are a heck of a lot more fun when I remember this. :-)

By: The Innovative Traveler

The Innovative Traveler — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:29:38 +0000

When are you going to do public speaking regarding the topics in your blog? You have a pretty great story to back it up.

I’m not that great at public speaking, but I’ve found I do actually like the adrenaline rush behind it. The more I do it, the more open I am to talking to strangers one on one and I think it helps in my interviews.

http://www.theinnovativetraveler.com

By: Alexanra

Alexanra — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:16:32 +0000

I love Toastmasters. One of the best things I’ve experienced about it is that there are people from all over the world in my TM group. If people with thick Indian, Polish, Chinese etc. accents can get up the nerve to speak, and learn to be charming, interesting public speakers, then I think there’s hope for me! One great thing about TM is that part of the meeting is called “Table Topics,” where most of the members get the chance to speak extemporaneously on a topic for two minutes, after they are asked for an answer to a question. Learning how to make a point in a pithy manner is perfect practice for job interviews. I feel that it has helped me to be able to speak in a more pointed, direct, clear manner, even in one-on-one situations.

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:07:34 +0000

Give Toastmasters a try! If the first club you visit isn’t a good ‘fit’, try another one. Some clubs are informal – others expect a coat and tie, etc. The wonderful thing about Toastmasters is – everyone in the meeting is there because they WANT to improve! Toastmasters also has a great (but not well known) leadership educational track. Your Toastmasters accomplishments are recognized by very attractive certificates (suitable for framing) and, if you wish, a letter to your boss explaining your accomplishments. These awards are a great addition to your resume or to bring up in your performance review.
I work for a French company in the US – my Toastmasters skills gets me fully-paid trips to Paris twice a year to make technical presentations!

By: clevelis

clevelis — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:23:05 +0000

Great ideas! I used to be one of those people who would rather have the earth open up and swallow me whole than to have do public speaking. That all changed in college, where I was forced into the limelight rather I liked it or now. Ironically, theater was easier than public speaking; I guess b/c you’re supposed to be yourself.

One of the most important things for me was the message. No matter what I’m speaking about, whether mathematical, spiritual, or otherwise, I have to be vested in what I’m saying. To always keep the audience in mind. And most times, I aim to remember it’s not about me.

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:06 +0000

The one thing that kind of helped me in college when I took a public speaking class was that the first day was solely dedicated to the fear of public speaking. That was a chapter in this class, that’s when I knew if this was a big deal for everyone than I wasn’t alone.

I also find that trying to be “official” or speak “legalese” is a horrible idea. Just try to be yourself and explain things the way you would.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:37:31 +0000

Very nice post. Toastmasters is a fantastic idea. The more you speak, the more comfortable you will be.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:24:49 +0000

I recall some basic advice from the Army.

Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.

Introduction/Body/Conclusion.

One other recommendation, never put so much crap on a slide you’re presenting that you spend more time explaining the slide than your point.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:25:03 +0000

I also attend Toastmasters, and have found it a wonderful experience. It is where I found and am defining my voice. Even when I am not speaking, I am learning so much from the topics others speak on and how they present it! It is wonderful value for my money – a night out with new friends!

By: Hunter

Hunter — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:37:14 +0000

For those who really want to go out of their comfort zone I would suggest seeing if they can get any parts in community/college theater. It’s fun, social and you don’t have to be yourself in front of people, which I find in some ways to be more liberating in terms of being in front of people.
I found it really helps in terms of speaking in front of people and helps develop the discipline of preparing before speaking/performing.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:06:35 +0000

Guy Kawasaki, the famous marketer and venture capitalist, says one needs to practice a speech twenty-five times to sound natural.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:55:56 +0000

I am a minister, so I preach a lot. Here are some observations:

1) A good sermon has only one point.
2) People want you to do well.
3) Start with the important but dull stuff, then shift to the exciting stuff half-way through. You already have their attention up front, you have to earn their attention as you go.

By: Ron@TheWisdomJournal

Ron@TheWisdomJournal — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:44:58 +0000

I took a class in college on public speaking and it was highly valuable. I’ve never been particularly outgoing, but never been afraid to speak to a group either.

The best way to overcome ANY fear is to simply DO the thing you fear. Seek opportunities (such as Toastmasters) to speak in public. Ask for feedback, practice in front of a mirror, and just go for it.

By: Money Blue Book

Money Blue Book — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:37:26 +0000

I used to be rather shy about public speaking but have gradually grown to be quite comfortable and adept at making speeches now. The key is to be very prepared ahead of time and never read from notes. I always speak from memory, referenced only by a few handwritten notes.

Practice by speaking and looking eye to eye in front of a mirror and maintain continuous eye contact as you train yourself to not get unnerved or lost in thought.

Take deep breaths and just practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at public speaking.
-Raymond

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:58:11 +0000

Of all the advice you’ve presented here at Simple Dollar this might be the one I need to act on most! My experience with public speaking in college was through an online course. I know, you are asking yourself, “How in the heck can you practice public speaking online?” Basically, we recorded ourselves speaking to a webcame and submitted it for a grade. The textbook knowledge didn’t sink in because I didn’t get to practice it. I’ve given presentations at work, but 99% of my job requires me sitting behind a desk, and the only interface I have is when I curse at my computer! I am really going to try to carve out some time for Toastmasters. Thanks for this one, Trent.