Comments on: Lessons I Learned from Toastmasters Speech Contests http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/ A Public Speaking and Presentations blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:30:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: More on Speech Contests | Manner of Speakinghttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-35196 More on Speech Contests | Manner of Speaking Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:20:53 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-35196 [...] Each lesson is discussed in the context of speech contests in which Andrew participated, so he knows what he is talking about. If you are serious about competing, I encourage you to read the entire post here. [...]

[...] Each lesson is discussed in the context of speech contests in which Andrew participated, so he knows what he is talking about. If you are serious about competing, I encourage you to read the entire post here. [...]

]]> By: Natalia Strelkovahttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-10064 Natalia Strelkova Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:43:23 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-10064 This is Natalia Strelkova. I just discovered your blog. Oh, my! What a wonderful source of information! I have never been into blogging, but this one is my everyday reading now as it contains tremendous depths of knowledge. Now I realized what a privilege it had been to have you as the Chief Judge at the humorous speech contest in Division B! I am very remorseful that I didn't discover your blog before my participation in the contest. I could have done much better (may be). Participation in the speech contest opened my eyes and taught me lessons I didn't expect to learn from this experience. One of the lessons I have learned minutes before the District contest was to be prepared for different reaction from different audience. They may not laugh at the jokes other audiences laughed, but this should not throw you off the track, continue with your speech and don't loose the enthusiasm. I really appreciate the Toastmaster who gave me this bit of wisdom. This is Natalia Strelkova. I just discovered your blog. Oh, my! What a wonderful source of information! I have never been into blogging, but this one is my everyday reading now as it contains tremendous depths of knowledge.
Now I realized what a privilege it had been to have you as the Chief Judge at the humorous speech contest in Division B! I am very remorseful that I didn’t discover your blog before my participation in the contest. I could have done much better (may be).
Participation in the speech contest opened my eyes and taught me lessons I didn’t expect to learn from this experience. One of the lessons I have learned minutes before the District contest was to be prepared for different reaction from different audience. They may not laugh at the jokes other audiences laughed, but this should not throw you off the track, continue with your speech and don’t loose the enthusiasm. I really appreciate the Toastmaster who gave me this bit of wisdom.

]]> By: Amelia Hirotahttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-3841 Amelia Hirota Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:36:58 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-3841 I enjoyed this article and learned a lot. I'm planning to enter my first contest and was searching the internet for lessons learned. Your article hit the nail on the head. Thank you for sharing your hard earned lessons. I enjoyed this article and learned a lot. I’m planning to enter my first contest and was searching the internet for lessons learned. Your article hit the nail on the head. Thank you for sharing your hard earned lessons.

]]> By: Chris Elliotthttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-3041 Chris Elliott Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:53:13 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-3041 I agree that contests can help you prepare to go pro, but that is because of a combination of practicing the same speech, getting in front of new audiences, and most importantly, being coached. I think that may be what propels most people into being a professional. I agree that contests can help you prepare to go pro, but that is because of a combination of practicing the same speech, getting in front of new audiences, and most importantly, being coached. I think that may be what propels most people into being a professional.

]]> By: Andrew Dluganhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2524 Andrew Dlugan Mon, 26 May 2008 04:34:12 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2524 James, you owned the stage. A 2nd place finish from the #1 slot out of 10 contestants is a remarkable accomplishment. I look forward to seeing your speech again on video and learning from your techniques. James, you owned the stage. A 2nd place finish from the #1 slot out of 10 contestants is a remarkable accomplishment. I look forward to seeing your speech again on video and learning from your techniques.

]]> By: James Wellshttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2416 James Wells Fri, 16 May 2008 20:37:12 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2416 Congrats again Andrew. I really like this site! My journey to the District Finals, and ultimately a 2nd place finish in 2008 was more than I ever planned for. Biggest things I learned was: 300 people is more than your average toastmasters group of 20, and that they react much differently and that I GOT ALOT MORE NERVOUS. I also noticed that my onstage performance was MUCH more emotional than in the past. After some reflection I found that an increase in nervous energy, actually translated into more emotional (more enthusiasim with my gestures, and more emotion in my voice) energy. Which seemed to work out! The other lesson (echoing Andrew), is that my final performance was actually the first time I had incorporated a few actions and lines, meaning, it was constantly improved right to the very end (this keeps it fresh). It begs the question, are good speeches ever complete? Congrats again Andrew. I really like this site! My journey to the District Finals, and ultimately a 2nd place finish in 2008 was more than I ever planned for. Biggest things I learned was: 300 people is more than your average toastmasters group of 20, and that they react much differently and that I GOT ALOT MORE NERVOUS. I also noticed that my onstage performance was MUCH more emotional than in the past. After some reflection I found that an increase in nervous energy, actually translated into more emotional (more enthusiasim with my gestures, and more emotion in my voice) energy. Which seemed to work out! The other lesson (echoing Andrew), is that my final performance was actually the first time I had incorporated a few actions and lines, meaning, it was constantly improved right to the very end (this keeps it fresh). It begs the question, are good speeches ever complete?

]]> By: Freddie Daniellshttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2414 Freddie Daniells Fri, 16 May 2008 16:18:10 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2414 Hi Andrew: Just back from our District finals. Big well done on winning. Just a thought. It may be different in different geographies but I have certainly noticed that here in the UK, speeches about TM tend not to make it past Area. Not sure why but maybe the audiences just feel it is a little obvious. Keep up the great work, F Hi Andrew: Just back from our District finals. Big well done on winning.

Just a thought. It may be different in different geographies but I have certainly noticed that here in the UK, speeches about TM tend not to make it past Area. Not sure why but maybe the audiences just feel it is a little obvious.

Keep up the great work,

F

]]> By: Andrew Dluganhttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2523 Andrew Dlugan Fri, 16 May 2008 15:31:45 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2523 John: The speech was recorded by the official videographer, but I don't have a copy yet. I'm looking forward to seeing my performance as well as all the others again. John: The speech was recorded by the official videographer, but I don’t have a copy yet. I’m looking forward to seeing my performance as well as all the others again.

]]> By: John Watkishttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2412 John Watkis Fri, 16 May 2008 13:46:28 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2412 Congratulations, Andrew! Hopefully you recorded your the speech so you can put a clip on your blog. Congratulations, Andrew! Hopefully you recorded your the speech so you can put a clip on your blog.

]]> By: Lisa Braithwaitehttp://sixminutes.dlugan.com/lessons-learned-toastmasters-speech-contests/#comment-2406 Lisa Braithwaite Fri, 16 May 2008 07:35:04 +0000 http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/?p=360#comment-2406 Congratulations, Andrew! Congratulations, Andrew!

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