Comments on: Win a Book! Share Your Public Speaking Confessions http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/ A Public Speaking and Presentations blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:07:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ayneshhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-61146 aynesh Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:50:49 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-61146 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBKpNfpGVz0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBKpNfpGVz0

]]> By: Aynesh Goorahhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-61145 Aynesh Goorah Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:48:08 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-61145 I'm a quite young public speaker. I noticed that the exuberance and dynamism of the speaker counts a lot. The audience wonders why is he so excited..and then listens to find the source of your enthusiasm..it already draws a lot of attention from ypur audience. Secondly voice projection s very important: as soon as someone hears a loud voice..he is bound to listen whether he wnts it or not..I try to also play with voice variations to avoid monotony in my voice..it's just like singing. Above all, the public speaker must always remeber one thing: he is here to please his audience and that should be his prority. Lastly, to be an effective public speaker...you must enjoy yourself but also give the most of your energy...you must feel exhausted after speaking. Have fun...and make the mostof your situaution....an entire audience's attention only on you!!!!!!! I’m a quite young public speaker. I noticed that the exuberance and dynamism of the speaker counts a lot. The audience wonders why is he so excited..and then listens to find the source of your enthusiasm..it already draws a lot of attention from ypur audience. Secondly voice projection s very important: as soon as someone hears a loud voice..he is bound to listen whether he wnts it or not..I try to also play with voice variations to avoid monotony in my voice..it’s just like singing. Above all, the public speaker must always remeber one thing: he is here to please his audience and that should be his prority. Lastly, to be an effective public speaker…you must enjoy yourself but also give the most of your energy…you must feel exhausted after speaking. Have fun…and make the mostof your situaution….an entire audience’s attention only on you!!!!!!!

]]> By: Jeff Fisherhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27397 Jeff Fisher Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:20:23 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27397 Thx! Thrilled to win copy of book! RT @6minutes Win a free copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker (by Scott @berkun) http://wp.me/p8ZiJ-15I Thx! Thrilled to win copy of book! RT @6minutes Win a free copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker (by Scott @berkun) http://wp.me/p8ZiJ-15I

]]> By: frank andrassyhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27390 frank andrassy Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:17:20 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27390 When I joined Toastmasters I never got my family involved. Which means I never practiced my speeches in front of my wife or children for their input as well as just practicing with a live audience. I entered my first speech contest and won by club contest. I went to the Area speech contest and I just nailed that speech and won that contest. I then went to the Division contest and my wife wanted to go and support me. I was nervous enough being at the Division contest but giving my speech for the first time in front of my wife made me even more nervous. I had practiced my speech at my Toastmaster club meeting and got some feedback. The night of the Division contest I also changed my speech and brought a prop to better emphasize one area of my speech. Well this was all a disaster. I stuttered and stammered and could never calm my nerves down and to make matters worse the changes I added to my speech I forgot and then I went over the time. I learned 3 very important items at the Division contest. One, never change your speech right before a contest or giving it to a new group of people go with what have without the new changes. There will always be time to update and change your speech later. Two, this goes with the first point do not introduce or change the speech in anyway. This will create timing issue and heighten the nervousness to the speech especially to a new crowd of people. Three, this is the most important point. Involve your family. whether it is Toastmasters which is a Family driven organization or in your speeches and speaking career. If I would have practices in front of my family and tried the changes and the new prop maybe, just maybe the outcome would have been different. This was the biggest change that I changed in my Toastmaster speeches and other speeches that I give. I engage my family, my wife and children and get their opinions. First as a written speech then as a delivered speech. I have found out that by practicing in front of my family and my family is given permission to be very critical as it is all in the family. This is one recommendation that I share with those I mentor or coach. Engage your family for they are your best and worst critics. I found out that my family does not want me to fail in front of a crowd people and they are always willing to listen to me give a practice speech. When I joined Toastmasters I never got my family involved. Which means I never practiced my speeches in front of my wife or children for their input as well as just practicing with a live audience. I entered my first speech contest and won by club contest. I went to the Area speech contest and I just nailed that speech and won that contest. I then went to the Division contest and my wife wanted to go and support me. I was nervous enough being at the Division contest but giving my speech for the first time in front of my wife made me even more nervous. I had practiced my speech at my Toastmaster club meeting and got some feedback. The night of the Division contest I also changed my speech and brought a prop to better emphasize one area of my speech. Well this was all a disaster. I stuttered and stammered and could never calm my nerves down and to make matters worse the changes I added to my speech I forgot and then I went over the time. I learned 3 very important items at the Division contest. One, never change your speech right before a contest or giving it to a new group of people go with what have without the new changes. There will always be time to update and change your speech later. Two, this goes with the first point do not introduce or change the speech in anyway. This will create timing issue and heighten the nervousness to the speech especially to a new crowd of people. Three, this is the most important point. Involve your family. whether it is Toastmasters which is a Family driven organization or in your speeches and speaking career. If I would have practices in front of my family and tried the changes and the new prop maybe, just maybe the outcome would have been different. This was the biggest change that I changed in my Toastmaster speeches and other speeches that I give. I engage my family, my wife and children and get their opinions. First as a written speech then as a delivered speech. I have found out that by practicing in front of my family and my family is given permission to be very critical as it is all in the family. This is one recommendation that I share with those I mentor or coach. Engage your family for they are your best and worst critics. I found out that my family does not want me to fail in front of a crowd people and they are always willing to listen to me give a practice speech.

]]> By: Brian Langstonhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27212 Brian Langston Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:30:42 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27212 I was asked to speak to a group of underprivileged kids at a school in Slough, Berkshire. I engaged well with the audience and drew hearty applause from them when I told them that although they may have started off on the lower rungs of life's ladder, they were infinitely richer in character and much more authentic than the snooty rich kids from Eton College down the road. Imagine my embarrassment when at the end of the speech the headmaster introduced me to the Bursar of Eton College who had been sitting impressively restrained on the front row as part of Eton College's engagement programme with the local community. The moral of the story? Know your audience! I was asked to speak to a group of underprivileged kids at a school in Slough, Berkshire. I engaged well with the audience and drew hearty applause from them when I told them that although they may have started off on the lower rungs of life’s ladder, they were infinitely richer in character and much more authentic than the snooty rich kids from Eton College down the road. Imagine my embarrassment when at the end of the speech the headmaster introduced me to the Bursar of Eton College who had been sitting impressively restrained on the front row as part of Eton College’s engagement programme with the local community.
The moral of the story? Know your audience!

]]> By: Beth Bridgeshttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27196 Beth Bridges Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:22:41 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27196 I have a lesson learned and an embarrassing moment. Lesson Learned: As Chief Networking Officer of the Clovis Chamber, I am frequently invited to speak on networking. I was invited to one of the area's larger, more established Rotary Clubs. As I was looking out over the audience, a wave of panic overcame me. "What could I possibly have to say to this group of experienced business people?!" I plowed through, sweating it out, but the intimidation factor didn't make it one of my better presentations. I felt like it was a complete waste of time. But that afternoon, I got a call from one of the audience members. "I really appreciated the information, I didn't know a lot of what you presented, and I'd like for you to come speak to my employees and my business neighbors." That presentation turned into another speech and is still having further effects. Lesson? Even if just ONE person takes something away, you should never feel like you have nothing to offer. Now for the ebarrassing story: I was presenting to a small group of about 20 people in a classroom setting when a button located in a strategic place on my blouse, popped off and audibly hit the desk in front of me. Fortunately I was wearing a jacket. I turned around, buttoned up, and no one ever said a thing. But I think my face was as red as the blouse! I have a lesson learned and an embarrassing moment.

Lesson Learned:
As Chief Networking Officer of the Clovis Chamber, I am frequently invited to speak on networking. I was invited to one of the area’s larger, more established Rotary Clubs. As I was looking out over the audience, a wave of panic overcame me. “What could I possibly have to say to this group of experienced business people?!”
I plowed through, sweating it out, but the intimidation factor didn’t make it one of my better presentations. I felt like it was a complete waste of time.
But that afternoon, I got a call from one of the audience members. “I really appreciated the information, I didn’t know a lot of what you presented, and I’d like for you to come speak to my employees and my business neighbors.” That presentation turned into another speech and is still having further effects.
Lesson? Even if just ONE person takes something away, you should never feel like you have nothing to offer.

Now for the ebarrassing story:
I was presenting to a small group of about 20 people in a classroom setting when a button located in a strategic place on my blouse, popped off and audibly hit the desk in front of me. Fortunately I was wearing a jacket. I turned around, buttoned up, and no one ever said a thing. But I think my face was as red as the blouse!

]]> By: Kevin Wortmanhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27193 Kevin Wortman Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:22:58 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27193 I was scheduled to speak before a senior leadership team one afternoon and decided to quiet a hungry stomach with a handful of almonds just prior to the talk. Little did I know that in an attempt to quiet my stomach, I sacrificed my voice. After my introduction, an almond skin tickled my throat and I went into a hacking fit. It's difficult to convey a message when you are turning your esophagus inside out. Needless to say, I've learned that a simple drink of water works best before a speech and have practiced that approach ever since. I was scheduled to speak before a senior leadership team one afternoon and decided to quiet a hungry stomach with a handful of almonds just prior to the talk. Little did I know that in an attempt to quiet my stomach, I sacrificed my voice. After my introduction, an almond skin tickled my throat and I went into a hacking fit. It’s difficult to convey a message when you are turning your esophagus inside out. Needless to say, I’ve learned that a simple drink of water works best before a speech and have practiced that approach ever since.

]]> By: Jonna E Ritchiehttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27191 Jonna E Ritchie Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:20:17 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27191 My public speaking confession: I often look at a general table area common to all the people at the table when I speak. It gives them the impression that I'm making individual eye contact, when I'm not. Most embarrassing experience: I gave a talk to a group of 2nd graders and they seemed to be really getting the topic and appeared very focused, laughed in all the 'right' spots, etc. When I asked for questions at the end one of them asked what I had stuck to my front tooth. It was spinach from a salad. They weren't laughing at WHAT I was saying, but instead AT me. I didn't interpret their enthusiasm correctly. Embarrasing!!! My public speaking confession: I often look at a general table area common to all the people at the table when I speak. It gives them the impression that I’m making individual eye contact, when I’m not. Most embarrassing experience: I gave a talk to a group of 2nd graders and they seemed to be really getting the topic and appeared very focused, laughed in all the ‘right’ spots, etc. When I asked for questions at the end one of them asked what I had stuck to my front tooth. It was spinach from a salad. They weren’t laughing at WHAT I was saying, but instead AT me. I didn’t interpret their enthusiasm correctly. Embarrasing!!!

]]> By: Sandrinahttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27176 Sandrina Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:41:16 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27176 On my business college course, we all had assignments to make presentations about a certain company and present their product in best possible way like we are selling it. I chose a tobacco company where my mother works because I knew all about it. Therefore I would not need to invest a lot of time preparing the presentation. It took me just couple of hours to prepare everything. Presentation looked great, there was lot of information and it was very well presented, but when the questions from audience started it turned into a disaster. Why? Because I am a non smoker and I actually hate that company. You have to believe what are you talking about. On my business college course, we all had assignments to make presentations about a certain company and present their product in best possible way like we are selling it. I chose a tobacco company where my mother works because I knew all about it. Therefore I would not need to invest a lot of time preparing the presentation. It took me just couple of hours to prepare everything. Presentation looked great, there was lot of information and it was very well presented, but when the questions from audience started it turned into a disaster. Why? Because I am a non smoker and I actually hate that company.

You have to believe what are you talking about.

]]> By: Swamihttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/contest-confessions/#comment-27155 Swami Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:57:49 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=4198#comment-27155 1. What speaking lesson did you learn the hard way? No matter how informative/inspiring the content of your speech is, it has no absolutely no impact, if its not delivered right. 2. What was your most embarrassing speaking experience? Knowing your content was far better than other speakers but continue getting average reviews because of inherently poor voice quality (something I continue to work on). 3. What secret speaking techniques do you use? Prepare, prepare and ....prepare. Nothing secret about it. 1. What speaking lesson did you learn the hard way?

No matter how informative/inspiring the content of your speech is, it has no absolutely no impact, if its not delivered right.

2. What was your most embarrassing speaking experience?

Knowing your content was far better than other speakers but continue getting average reviews because of inherently poor voice quality (something I continue to work on).

3. What secret speaking techniques do you use?

Prepare, prepare and ….prepare. Nothing secret about it.

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