by: Doug Staneart
Many myths about public speaking have been passed along from person to person over the years, and the one thing that is consistent about these myths is that the people who pass them along are still nervous about speaking.
After facilitating over 200 public speaking classes and never having a single person fail to significantly reduce his/her fear of speaking, I had a dramatic realization.
Just about everything I was taught about public speaking while I was in school and from well meaning peers and coworkers ? WAS WRONG!
Below are the top three myths that we have identified, and some simple tips that will help you reduce your fear or nervousness.
Myth #1: If you write out a talk and memorize it, you?ll be more comfortable.
This is the fastest, easiest way to make your presentation boring and canned and to make you more nervous.
When you memorize a talk word-for-word, any slight hick-up or distraction can throw you off track.
That can increase your nervousness.
Instead, write out just a few key points and practice giving stories or examples to back up each point.
Myth #2: More facts/details will better clarify your topic.
Most of us believe that a little is good, more is better, and a whole bunch is just right in public speaking.
If I can give you 10 reasons why my topic is true, then that is obviously better than two or three reasons, right?
Well in public speaking, the more points we offer, the more confused our audience can become.
A good rule of thumb is five or less.
So, after you decide on your topic, narrow down the key points that support your topic to around five key points or fewer.
If your talk requires more than five points, then it would be best to divide the presentation into two different talks.
Myth #3: Nervous habits make you a poor speaker.
Most people think that ?Uhms,? talking fast, and nervous gestures are bad, but in fact, these things can make you very relatable to your audience.
?Uhm? is a normal word in the English language.
We say this word all the time in normal conversation.
When it?s not there, the speaker can sound phony and forced.
Plus, I?ve found that if you try to get yourself to stop saying ?Uhm,? you?ll probably just start saying it more often anyway.
Also, when people speak fast and move more, they show energy and enthusiasm.
I?ve had many speakers come through my classes who were scared to get up and speak at the beginning of the program, but when they did speak, the audience thought that they were excellent speakers.
The audience saw the nervousness and assumed it was enthusiasm.
Realize that speaking well is like learning to play golf.
If you get a group of hackers together to coach each other, you?re just going to get a group of people very proficient at a bad golf swing.
However, if you get a good coach, he can shave strokes off in no time.
If you really want to get good at public speaking quickly, get a good coach who doesn?t buy-in to all the speaking myths.
Copyright 2005 Doug Staneart
About The Author
Doug Staneart, mailto:doug@leaderinstitute.com, is CEO of The Leaders institute? ( http://www.leadersinstitute.com ).
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How to Coach Yourself
How to Coach Yourself
by: David Wood
Some people are not in a position to work with a coach right now. Some are stretched financially, while some are still using the ?lone ranger? method. Other people might be uncertain about trying something new.
So here is a brief, simple process I often use with clients that you can apply to you own situation i.e. coach yourself! And at the end of the article I will mention how you can go even further than this using a professional coach.
STEP 1) Clarify your goal
Some of us are not moving forward simply because we have not set a goal that inspires us! Make it specific e.g. 20% increase in income by January 1. And you can stretch yourself, but keep it realistic. If you?re blocked, schedule creative time to play with ideas. Dream, cry, challenge. Ask someone. Create it! Don?t get hung up on the ?right? goal, just pick something exciting that takes your fancy ? then trust yourself, and move to Step...
How to Coach Yourself
Speakers > How to Coach Yourself
Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats
Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats
by: Paul Evans
There's more to speaking than sharing a few words. Here are the top nine characteristics of public speakers that you can use too
1. Solid Content. Even a person lacking charismatic gifts can develop solid content. Always share something the audience finds valuable to their lives.
2. Humorous. It's hard to hate someone you laugh with. The best speakers find a way to get people smiling early in the program. It opens hearts and makes the group receptive. You don't have to be hilarious, just humorous.
3. Organized. There's no excuse for rambling through a presentation. Have your notes structured in way that keeps you on pace and on target. Listeners should feel they received a message that made sense and was easy to remember.
4. Approachable. Some speakers try to get in and get out as fast as possible, but the audience likes to know the speaker is available an approachable....
Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats
Speakers > Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats
Spain?s Other Languages
Spain?s Other Languages
by: Mike McDougall
Despite Castilian (Or Espa?ol) being the main language of Spain there are also a number of other languages spoken throughout Spain ? many are now recognised officially by the government and regulated by governing bodies to ensure that they remain a part of Spain?s history and diversity.
Euskara Batua (unified Basque)
Definitely the most interesting language in Spain, Euskara is widely spoken throughout the Basque region of Northern Spain. The majority of Basque speakers live in Spain with a smaller percentage living over the border in Pyrenean France. The Basques are a fiercely proud people and have an extremely developed sense of regional identity. Despite having a large amount of political and cultural autonomy, there is still a strong movement for complete independence from Spain and the terrorist group ETA have been terrorising the nation for 30 years in the hunt for complete self rule for the...
Spain?s Other Languages
Speakers > Spain?s Other Languages
Public Speaking Tips To Remember When You?re On Centre Stage
Public Speaking Tips To Remember When You?re On Centre Stage
by: Emily Sanders
There are many public speaking tips you?ll need to take into consideration when writing your speech and when preparing to deliver your speech. That said, once you?re centre stage, there are a few simple (but crucial) public speaking tips to always keep in mind:
Simple Public Speaking tips to remember:
? Start every speech with a smile. Don?t think for a minute that it?s silly, a warm and endearing face will hold you audience?s attention.
? Talk a bit louder than you think necessary.
? Put some enthusiasm into your voice.
? Use some gestures to show that you are alive.
? Get up on a platform above the audience if you can (they want and need to see you).
Here are a few easy public speaking tips you might need if you?re audience gets fatigued:
Always watch the audience (at the first sign of fatigue, do something)! This may be the...
Public Speaking Tips To Remember When You?re On Centre Stage
Speakers > Public Speaking Tips To Remember When You?re On Centre Stage
Keep Your Audience Awake!
Keep Your Audience Awake!
by: Emily Sanders
The smartest course for a speaker to follow is the rule that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. The best way of developing a speech is to focus on the one theme or thought behind the talk and drive relentlessly towards it. One of the reasons why this is a winning strategy is because most audience members cannot concentrate for the duration of a speech because of a number of distraction ? such as other attendees, noise and most importantly the thoughts in his/her head. A speaker should not only ensure that his/her speech is clear and easy to follow, the speaker should also ensure that breaks are provided during the speech.
Many speakers have started injecting break sessions or even mini exercise sessions during long speech to ensure they keep the audience alert at all times. Promoting interaction with other audience members is another excellent way to maintain your audience?s...
Keep Your Audience Awake!
Speakers > Keep Your Audience Awake!
Six Steps To Becoming A Powerful Public Speaker
Six Steps To Becoming A Powerful Public Speaker
by: Sintilia Miecevole
Public speaking ranks right up there in terms of the things we are afraid to do. Whether it?s the fear of being watched closely by others, or the insecurity and self-conscious feeling of slipping up during the presentation, these six tips will help you give a polished, professional speech that you (and your audience) can be proud of!
1. Know your audience. This is the single best piece of advice for delivering a presentation. What are there interests? Their backgrounds? Why are they coming to hear you speak? What ideas do you have to share with them? Approaching your speech as more of a ?me-to-you? discussion rather than a full-blown broadcast makes it less stressful.
2. What do you want your audience to do as a result of your speech? What?s really at the heart of your presentation? By concentrating on the ?end result? rather than slogging through the beginning, you...
Six Steps To Becoming A Powerful Public Speaker
Speakers > Six Steps To Becoming A Powerful Public Speaker
Speakers and Trainers - The Internet is Your Biggest Megaphone
Speakers and Trainers - The Internet is Your Biggest Megaphone
by: Dr. Lynella Grant
Speak to an Audience that Reaches across the Globe
As a professional at home on the platform, you?ve spent years polishing a compelling message. The presentations you make are honed to perfection. Your delivery style draws raves and repeat bookings. So why don?t you deliver a taste of your best stuff to the whole world?
Easily done! Send articles that provide a sample of your message and speaking personality to numerous Internet directories and ezines. The biggest auditorium couldn?t contain all the people exposed to a single article widely posted online. While the cost is minimal (mainly your time), the impact from articles can be gigantic! Consider the benefits. http://www.promotewitharticles.com/benefits.html
Internet Exposure is Crucial for Name Recognition
A spokesman...
Speakers and Trainers - The Internet is Your Biggest Megaphone
Speakers > Speakers and Trainers - The Internet is Your Biggest Megaphone
Mobile Phone Batteries. What Are Your Options?
Mobile Phone Batteries. What Are Your Options?
by: Will Koh
There are a range of different mobile phone, video camera/camcorder and digital camera batteries out there with varying capacities and battery chemistry. We will explain what the differences are for each battery chemistry and try to clear up the jargon used on the labels of mobile phone batteries. There have been several developments in battery technology and below, we will outline each battery chemistry's...
Mobile Phone Batteries. What Are Your Options? Speakers Everything You?ve Ever Learned about Public Speaking Is Wrong razr phone
Speakers > Mobile Phone Batteries. What Are Your Options?
San Diego Beach Hikes - Cardiff to Carlsbad
San Diego Beach Hikes - Cardiff to Carlsbad
by: Rick Chapo
San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the average home price being around $500,000, they better be interesting!
To unwind, I typically stop on my way home from work to hike from Cardiff to Carlsbad on the beach. For picturesque sunsets and "tasty waves", the beach between Cardiff to Carlsbad can't be beat.
Cardiff - Starting
I typically start this hike by parking just south...
beach
Speakers > San Diego Beach Hikes - Cardiff to Carlsbad
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.8 of 12 - Christmas Pheasant
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.8 of 12 - Christmas Pheasant
by: Paul Curran
Christmas recipe serves: 6
calories per serving: 490
preparation time: 30 minutes
cooking time: 2 hours 15 minutes
suitable for freezing (after step 4)
Christmas recipe ingredients:
shallots or small onions, 225 g (8oz)
streaky bacon, rindless 225 g (8 oz)
pheasants, oven ready, brace
salt and pepper
oil,...
Speakers > Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.8 of 12 - Christmas Pheasant
Combining Different Martial Arts Styles: Mixed Martial Arts
Combining Different Martial Arts Styles: Mixed Martial Arts
by: Steven Gregoire
While you can find much in common across various fighting systems in terms of teaching methods, techniques, and goals it is also possible to find many ways in which each system is unique. It is often difficult to make direct comparisons between different fighting systems as there is no standard format for making objective comparisons. It is important to recognize that the physical...
Combining Different Martial Arts Styles: Mixed Martial Arts Speakers Everything You?ve Ever Learned about Public Speaking Is Wrong
Speakers > Combining Different Martial Arts Styles: Mixed Martial Arts