Article Category: sixminutes

The Best of Six Minutes – Six Month Edition


Six MinutesSix Minutes entered the public speaking blogosphere six months ago.

Whether you discovered Six Minutes months ago or days ago, thank you for your readership.

Due to rapid subscriber growth lately, I’m going to mark the occasion by:

  • highlighting reader favorites;
  • summarizing the regular features; and
  • looking at future articles.

Favorites of Six Minutes Readers

These are the ten most frequently read articles:

  1. 25 Essential Presentation Skills for Public Speaking
  2. # Public Speaking Blogs: The Public Speaking Blogosphere
  3. Selecting a Speech Topic
  4. Evaluation Forms, Tools, and Resources
  5. How to Critique a Speech
  6. Speech Outline Examples
  7. Electrify Your Audience with a Shocking Speech Opening
  8. Speech Critique: Dick Hardt (the “Lessig Method” critique)
  9. Speech Critique: Steve Jobs (Stanford, 2005)
  10. Toastmasters Evaluation Contests

You can explore the rest of the best of Six Minutes in the article archive, including Haiku for Public Speakers and Speaking Survey says: Speaker DO’s and DON’Ts.

Popular Recurring Features

Speech Critiques

One of the original aims of this blog was to educate through speech critiques. i.e. highlight the best speakers, and show by detailed analysis why they are the best.

The first Six Minutes article was a critique of Dick Hardt’s Identity 2.0 presentation using the Lessig Method. Reviews of several other outstanding speakers followed, including Hans Rosling, Steve Jobs, and Al Gore.

You can peruse all speech critiques at a glance.

Book Reviews

From speech critiques, book reviews were a very natural evolution for Six Minutes. I’m an avid reader, and public speaking books are a regular companion. Bestsellers reviewed include Presentation Zen; Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln; and The Story Factor.

You can discover all book reviews at a glance.

The Best Public Speaking Articles – Every Week

Public speaking weekend reviews were initiated on January 12, and have run every Saturday since. Each review surveys the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere over the past week.

The Speech Analysis Series
Speech Preparation Series

Article Series

Two in-depth article series were featured in the past two months.

The Speech Analysis Series discusses the benefits of honing your speech analysis skills, and provides numerous techniques for doing so.

The Speech Preparation Series takes you through a 6-step process for speech preparation, and accompanies this with examples drawn from an inspirational competitive speech.

Plans for the Next Six Months

The response to Six Minutes has been tremendous, and I’m very excited to continue to bring public speaking advice, tips, and resources to you. Here’s what the next few months will bring:

  • Weekly Reviews Every Saturday
    Reader response has been very positive so far. I’ll continue to bring the best public speaking articles each week.
  • More Speech Critiques
    In addition to video critiques, I’m also planning articles to analyze text-only speeches with an emphasis on speechwriting and speech development. Which speakers or speeches should be analyzed? Suggestions always welcome.
  • More Book Reviews
    I have two books on the go, and another is in the mail. I’m always seeking additional public speaking and communications books to review. Suggestions or donations welcome.
  • New Article Series
    Additional in-depth article series are planned for the months ahead.
  • New Feature Articles
    What topics do you want Six Minutes to cover?

Thank You

If you subscribe to Six Minutes already, thank you for your readership, feedback, and comments. You have made this a better blog.

If you are new to Six Minutes, consider subscribing to receive regular public speaking articles.

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Comments icon9 Comments

  1. John Windsor says:

    Congratulations, Andrew! May your next six months be as fruitful as your first.

  2. Mark Backman says:

    Ditto the previous message. You’re doing a fine job. I look forward to at least another 6 months.

  3. Andrew Dlugan says:

    John and Mark:
    Thank you both for the encouragement.
    I will strive to continue improving Six Minutes in the next six months and beyond.

  4. The public speaking blogosphere has found the center of its system. Congratulations on your remarkable effort to provide everyone the chance to learn how to become a better public speaker. Your blog has become the gateway to the world of public speaking!
    From a European Fan

  5. CK says:

    Hi,
    Thanks a lot for a feast of public speaking articles.

    Here’s a suggestion.
    We Toastmasters are supposed to complete ten project speeches to get our Competent Communicator certificate. Is it possible to post ten sample speech videos so new members can use them as model speeches ?

    1. Andrew Dlugan says:

      Hi CK:
      That’s a very interesting idea for a future article or article series.

      1. Andrew Dlugan says:

        I have followed up on CK’s suggestion and launched the Toastmasters Speech Series. As part of this series, I will be linking to numerous examples of speeches (some in written form, some videos) given by Toastmasters around the world.

  6. Jason Peck says:

    Hi Andrew

    Congrats on the mini milestone. My first six months came and went without me drawing any attention to it. Perhaps I should’ve done?

    I wanted to comment on what CK said. The problem wiht posting videos of sample CC manual speeches is that some Toastmasters, myself included, would potentially feel uncomfortable about having their speeches seen by the wider public. Especially if they’re still growing or if they make mistakes.

    I certainly think that it might be a good article series for Andrew to tackle in the futre though.

    Cheers,
    Jason

  7. CK says:

    Hi Jason,

    Your point taken ! My suggestion is to capture model speeches of Toastmasters who are willing to be scrutinised by a global audience !

    I was highly impressed with the Speech Critique series that Andrew runs ! My take is my public speaking skills will vastly improve when I get varied and valuable comments.

    cheers
    CK