Timing is essential when speaking in public. The cliché: It is not what you say but more on how you say it, applies so much to public speaking.
Where you put your pauses during your presentation is one of the important aspects of keeping your audience from drowsing off. Couple this with humor and you are definitely on a roll.
Timing is crucial during reactions that are spontaneous especially laughter. You don't want to step on the laughter and need to time your pause so that you don't begin speaking again too soon, as your voice and whatever it is that you are saying will most probably be drowned out by the noise of the audience.
Laughter is extremely difficult to get and so very easy to discourage. If you continuously keep on talking, the audience will laugh less so they don't miss your next line. Think about a funny play you may have been too. If the actors didn't pause long enough for the audience's reaction, the audience laughs less and less as they go on. Try as much as possible to maintain eye contact with the audience for a little longer when you are about to deliver that punch line.
The audience size could also affect the way you use your timing. When the audience is small, the presentation you have will most probably be delivered in a shorter time compared to if you have a large audience. The reaction of a large audience will get to be a little longer and not as quick as if the audience is small. You also have to wait until the seemingly ripple effect of your punch line gets to that audience in the back row.
Believe it or not, putting that much needed silence in your presentation is one of the hallmarks of a skilled and good presenter. No public speaker should jabber constantly away in the hopes of keeping an audience glued to everything you have to say. Ironically, this is one effective way to keep their focus off you. The use of silence adds that much needed polish in your presentation making you appear as a confident expert.
Short pauses are effective in order for you to separate your thoughts. These pauses last from half a second to two seconds. You do not have to literally count though, just keep in mind to slow down. This gives the audience a chance to absorb all of what it is you are getting across. It also helps if you change the inflection in your voice during the end of a thought as this could also signal to the audience that another thought is coming their way.
Pauses are also an effective means if you want to highlight something. Pause just before any word or thought you want the audience to focus on, they will most definitely get that.
To your successful communication
Fran
P.S. Get a copy of over 800 speech topics and more tips on public speaking here
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Why Toastmasters?
If you are in customer service in any capacity, you can benefit from learning to develop or enhance your speaking skills.
If you are an employer, your business might benefit from allowing/encouraging your staff to attend weekly meetings where they will have the opportunity to learn and practice some of the following: how to organize their thoughts, get to the point and how to deliver effective communication.
Often you may be called upon at the last minute to give a presentation or a talk on something you’ve been working on, or something for a new client. You begin to panic. Toastmasters can help you think on your feet and be well organized so that this will become easy for you.
Communication is a two-way conversation and it involves more than just talking. It also involves shutting up (aka listening). You will often hear people say, “I have no problem talking”, and those around them are well aware of that. These people may have a problem letting other people talk.
How many times have you been at a meeting where the person is supposed to speak only for 5 minutes and 15 minutes later they are still at it? At Toastmasters you learn how to craft a speech to fit within a specified time frame. Lights or cards are used to let you know the timing of your speech.
Listening skills are an important part of communication. It is important to listen well enough so that you really “hear” what the other person is saying. At our weekly meetings the Quizmaster tests the listening skills of the group by asking questions about things that went on during the meeting.
Leadership skills – are developed as members take on roles such as Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, Timer, Quizmaster, General Evaluator and others. Each person takes control of the lectern for their role and you have a chance to earn the Competent Leader award as you work through various roles such as: Speaker, Speech Evaluator, Timer, Grammarian, Ah Counter, Toastmaster, Mentoring a New or Existing Member, etc.
Do you have to evaluate people for yearly Performance Appraisals? It is important to learn how to correctly evaluate someone so that they learn about the things they need to improve while being recognized for the things that they already do well. If all they hear is criticism, they don’t feel very good about themselves.
One of the biggest challenges of a leader is to be able to give feedback to others on their performance. Feedback involves praising others to reinforce their outstanding performance and offering suggestions to improve their performance. Often leaders are uncomfortable giving feedback.
If team members are to perform to their potential, they need to know what they are doing well, what they are not doing well, and how they can improve. If you want to improve your team’s performance, you must be able to comfortably offer feedback to team members. Toastmasters teaches the “sandwich technique” for evaluations. Start with something positive, insert the message about things that could be improved and end with a positive comment. Come to a meeting and find out more.
Have you ever listened to a boring lecture where the person just drones on and on with no variety or depth to their voice? It’s enough to put you to sleep. Speech #6 will help you learn how to effectively use your voice for the highs and lows to keep people’s attention, (be expressive, use pauses for effectiveness, control your volume, pitch, rate and quality). Keep your conversations lively and worth listening to.
Body language - Your body often speaks louder than your actual words and people “read” what you are saying by the way you say it. Learn how to use gestures and eye contact to keep the audience watching and listening. Project Speech #5 - "Your Body Speaks" gives tips on how to use stance and movement, gestures, facial expression and eye contact naturally to enhance your communication.
Research techniques are developed as you prepare for your roles. If you are providing the word of the week, you will research the word to find out where it came from and what it means. If you are giving the Toast, you may want to look up more information on the weekly theme. If you are giving an Educational Tip, you will want to research your topic and prepare. Speech #7 from the Competent Communicator Manual gives you tips and ideas on how to research your topic to get the facts you need to support your message.
I hope this article has intrigued you and that you will consider joining us. Toastmasters is an international non-profit club run by volunteers to improve our public speaking ability by speaking regularly in a supportive environment with a solid program and helpful feedback.
Anyone over 18 who is interested in public speaking can join. Clubs have a great mix of experienced and beginning speakers, young and old. We believe that a diverse club offers the best learning opportunities.
You can find out more about Toastmasters by checking out the website here You will also be able to find a club near you here
Have a wonderful day.
Fran Watson
Toastmasters District 61
If you are an employer, your business might benefit from allowing/encouraging your staff to attend weekly meetings where they will have the opportunity to learn and practice some of the following: how to organize their thoughts, get to the point and how to deliver effective communication.
Often you may be called upon at the last minute to give a presentation or a talk on something you’ve been working on, or something for a new client. You begin to panic. Toastmasters can help you think on your feet and be well organized so that this will become easy for you.
Communication is a two-way conversation and it involves more than just talking. It also involves shutting up (aka listening). You will often hear people say, “I have no problem talking”, and those around them are well aware of that. These people may have a problem letting other people talk.
How many times have you been at a meeting where the person is supposed to speak only for 5 minutes and 15 minutes later they are still at it? At Toastmasters you learn how to craft a speech to fit within a specified time frame. Lights or cards are used to let you know the timing of your speech.
Listening skills are an important part of communication. It is important to listen well enough so that you really “hear” what the other person is saying. At our weekly meetings the Quizmaster tests the listening skills of the group by asking questions about things that went on during the meeting.
Leadership skills – are developed as members take on roles such as Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, Timer, Quizmaster, General Evaluator and others. Each person takes control of the lectern for their role and you have a chance to earn the Competent Leader award as you work through various roles such as: Speaker, Speech Evaluator, Timer, Grammarian, Ah Counter, Toastmaster, Mentoring a New or Existing Member, etc.
Do you have to evaluate people for yearly Performance Appraisals? It is important to learn how to correctly evaluate someone so that they learn about the things they need to improve while being recognized for the things that they already do well. If all they hear is criticism, they don’t feel very good about themselves.
One of the biggest challenges of a leader is to be able to give feedback to others on their performance. Feedback involves praising others to reinforce their outstanding performance and offering suggestions to improve their performance. Often leaders are uncomfortable giving feedback.
If team members are to perform to their potential, they need to know what they are doing well, what they are not doing well, and how they can improve. If you want to improve your team’s performance, you must be able to comfortably offer feedback to team members. Toastmasters teaches the “sandwich technique” for evaluations. Start with something positive, insert the message about things that could be improved and end with a positive comment. Come to a meeting and find out more.
Have you ever listened to a boring lecture where the person just drones on and on with no variety or depth to their voice? It’s enough to put you to sleep. Speech #6 will help you learn how to effectively use your voice for the highs and lows to keep people’s attention, (be expressive, use pauses for effectiveness, control your volume, pitch, rate and quality). Keep your conversations lively and worth listening to.
Body language - Your body often speaks louder than your actual words and people “read” what you are saying by the way you say it. Learn how to use gestures and eye contact to keep the audience watching and listening. Project Speech #5 - "Your Body Speaks" gives tips on how to use stance and movement, gestures, facial expression and eye contact naturally to enhance your communication.
Research techniques are developed as you prepare for your roles. If you are providing the word of the week, you will research the word to find out where it came from and what it means. If you are giving the Toast, you may want to look up more information on the weekly theme. If you are giving an Educational Tip, you will want to research your topic and prepare. Speech #7 from the Competent Communicator Manual gives you tips and ideas on how to research your topic to get the facts you need to support your message.
I hope this article has intrigued you and that you will consider joining us. Toastmasters is an international non-profit club run by volunteers to improve our public speaking ability by speaking regularly in a supportive environment with a solid program and helpful feedback.
Anyone over 18 who is interested in public speaking can join. Clubs have a great mix of experienced and beginning speakers, young and old. We believe that a diverse club offers the best learning opportunities.
You can find out more about Toastmasters by checking out the website here You will also be able to find a club near you here
Have a wonderful day.
Fran Watson
Toastmasters District 61
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Leadership Maxims
25 Leadership Maxims
by: Brent Filson
"We will never know how really good we are as leaders unless we are leading people to be better than they think they are."
"Poor performance is less harmful to a leader than mediocre performance disguised as good performance."
"Most leaders are striving to get the wrong results or the right results in the wrong ways."
"The lowest forms of leadership involve rewards and punishments."
"Getting along is not necessarily getting results."
"If you can't feel it, you can't lead it, and they won't do it."
"Leadership is the trim tab of all careers."
"Leadership is seeing hope in any adversity."
"To make a difference, be the difference."
"In leadership, you don't have to expect the worse, you just have to make the most of it when it happens."
"The best leaders make use of the simplest of ideas."
"If you are always right, you are usually wrong."
"The best way for a leader to communicate an idea is to bundle it in a human being."
"The most persuasive art of leadership is to hide your leadership."
"Refraining from action is sometimes the best action."
"It's not so much what you say as a leader that's important; it's the action the people take after you have had your say."
"In leadership, the value of every need is in its use."
"Leadership is not about living a easy life for ourselves but a hard life for others."
"We ourselves are our own biggest obstacles to becoming better leaders."
"Leadership is showing people not that they must take a certain action but that they GET TO take that action."
"Half the art of listening is waiting."
"To get the best out of people, embrace the best in them."
"People are often unaware of the best that's in them. When you show it to them, you are half way down the road to motivating them to be your cause leaders."
"Achievement needs three things, the leader, the cause leader, and the moment."
"In the long run, the most important results of leadership are not what we achieve but what we become in that achieving."
2005 © The Filson Leadership Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
The author of 23 books, Brent Filson's recent books are, THE LEADERSHIP TALK: THE GREATEST LEADERSHIP TOOL and 101 WAYS TO GIVE GREAT LEADERSHIP TALKS. He has been helping leaders of top companies worldwide get audacious results. Sign up for his free leadership e-zine and get a free white paper: "49 Ways To Turn Action Into Results," at www.actionleadership.com
Develop your Leadership Skills at a local Toastmasters Club - www.toastmasters.org
Fran Watson
Member of District 61 Toastmasters www.tm61.org
by: Brent Filson
"We will never know how really good we are as leaders unless we are leading people to be better than they think they are."
"Poor performance is less harmful to a leader than mediocre performance disguised as good performance."
"Most leaders are striving to get the wrong results or the right results in the wrong ways."
"The lowest forms of leadership involve rewards and punishments."
"Getting along is not necessarily getting results."
"If you can't feel it, you can't lead it, and they won't do it."
"Leadership is the trim tab of all careers."
"Leadership is seeing hope in any adversity."
"To make a difference, be the difference."
"In leadership, you don't have to expect the worse, you just have to make the most of it when it happens."
"The best leaders make use of the simplest of ideas."
"If you are always right, you are usually wrong."
"The best way for a leader to communicate an idea is to bundle it in a human being."
"The most persuasive art of leadership is to hide your leadership."
"Refraining from action is sometimes the best action."
"It's not so much what you say as a leader that's important; it's the action the people take after you have had your say."
"In leadership, the value of every need is in its use."
"Leadership is not about living a easy life for ourselves but a hard life for others."
"We ourselves are our own biggest obstacles to becoming better leaders."
"Leadership is showing people not that they must take a certain action but that they GET TO take that action."
"Half the art of listening is waiting."
"To get the best out of people, embrace the best in them."
"People are often unaware of the best that's in them. When you show it to them, you are half way down the road to motivating them to be your cause leaders."
"Achievement needs three things, the leader, the cause leader, and the moment."
"In the long run, the most important results of leadership are not what we achieve but what we become in that achieving."
2005 © The Filson Leadership Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.com
About the Author
The author of 23 books, Brent Filson's recent books are, THE LEADERSHIP TALK: THE GREATEST LEADERSHIP TOOL and 101 WAYS TO GIVE GREAT LEADERSHIP TALKS. He has been helping leaders of top companies worldwide get audacious results. Sign up for his free leadership e-zine and get a free white paper: "49 Ways To Turn Action Into Results," at www.actionleadership.com
Develop your Leadership Skills at a local Toastmasters Club - www.toastmasters.org
Fran Watson
Member of District 61 Toastmasters www.tm61.org
What Is Toastmasters really?
Here is a cute video, which I found posted by Matthew Kleinosky on the Toastmasters Facebook page, about Toastmasters which answers some of the questions that people have about the organization, i.e. what will I learn? what will I have to do? what is the cost? etc.
Now that you know a little more about Toastmasters, read the following to find out more about who would benefit from the program.
"Craig Senior of the Message Masters Toastmasters Club wrote an article "No One Needs Toastmasters!" Message Masters is one of our District 61 Clubs, and the article is about the types of people who can benefit from the Toastmasters programs of Communication and Leadership. Here are some of them and a link to the full article:
So who are the people who could benefit from the training experience provided by Toastmasters or at least knowledge of the Toastmasters program? Here are some ideas that might help you approach specific segments with specific interests:
■job seekers - job interview skills
■employees aspiring to higher management/leadership - to practice running meetings, leadership roles and speaking
■anyone aspiring to become an elected politician
■team leaders - to develop or hone meeting and speaking skills
■entrepreneurs - to present their product or service
■inmates - to build positive life skills
■authors - to present their material and market their book(s)
■high school students - to become comfortable with public speaking and running meeting, through the Youth Leadership Program before the skills are required
■post-secondary students - to prepare for the job market or to present their thesis BEFORE the skills are required
■contest judges for other organizations
■speechwriters - nothing like first-hand experience to know what works and what doesn't work
■corporate communications professionals - to practice and hone their craft
■video and media students - great place to practice creating how to videos, articles, press releases, and reports
Read the full article here:
If you haven't already done so, check out a club near you. You may be surprised what you can learn.
Fran Watson
member of 3 Toastmasters Clubs and
District 61 Public Relations Officer
You can find me on Facebook Toastmasters District 61
Now that you know a little more about Toastmasters, read the following to find out more about who would benefit from the program.
"Craig Senior of the Message Masters Toastmasters Club wrote an article "No One Needs Toastmasters!" Message Masters is one of our District 61 Clubs, and the article is about the types of people who can benefit from the Toastmasters programs of Communication and Leadership. Here are some of them and a link to the full article:
So who are the people who could benefit from the training experience provided by Toastmasters or at least knowledge of the Toastmasters program? Here are some ideas that might help you approach specific segments with specific interests:
■job seekers - job interview skills
■employees aspiring to higher management/leadership - to practice running meetings, leadership roles and speaking
■anyone aspiring to become an elected politician
■team leaders - to develop or hone meeting and speaking skills
■entrepreneurs - to present their product or service
■inmates - to build positive life skills
■authors - to present their material and market their book(s)
■high school students - to become comfortable with public speaking and running meeting, through the Youth Leadership Program before the skills are required
■post-secondary students - to prepare for the job market or to present their thesis BEFORE the skills are required
■contest judges for other organizations
■speechwriters - nothing like first-hand experience to know what works and what doesn't work
■corporate communications professionals - to practice and hone their craft
■video and media students - great place to practice creating how to videos, articles, press releases, and reports
Read the full article here:
If you haven't already done so, check out a club near you. You may be surprised what you can learn.
Fran Watson
member of 3 Toastmasters Clubs and
District 61 Public Relations Officer
You can find me on Facebook Toastmasters District 61
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Survival Tips for the New Year
Today, I am giving you a
DAILY SURVIVAL KIT
to help you each day............
Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.
Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.
Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.
Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.
Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.
Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.
Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.
Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.
This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day
Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart in the
2012 year.
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Monday, January 2, 2012
Improve Your Speaking Skills with Toastmasters
What Do You Fear?
For some, spiders; for many, ghosts; others would say heights, but there are those who would admit that public speaking is their greatest fear.
It is actually normal. Come to think of it, there is nothing more frightening than having to stand up and speak in front of a group of people who could sleep, shout at you, laugh at you, or leave while you are talking. Even actress Debra Messing of Will and Grace surprisingly had this fear all her life. And she’s an actress! Imagine how much worse this could be for those who haven’t even had the chance to go up om a stage ever in their lives.
Thankfully, public speaking is a fear that can easily be overcome. Even if you are not exactly fearful, but you think you still need improvement, you can improve your public speaking skills quite easily by following the tips below.
Be prepared and practice.
The value of preparation can never be overemphasized. It adds confidence and substance to your speech. Research your topic well and try to find the best way to present it. Outline your points and use cue cards if necessary. Practice your delivery to make sure that your talk will not exceed the time allotted for you and also so you can assess your delivery. If you are to speak at a very important engagement, try to practice your speech in front of someone who could properly assess how you have done.
Know your audience.
Technically, this is still part of being prepared but it is so important that it calls for a separate entry. Knowing your audience provides you with valuable insight on the type of presentation that would appeal best to them. It guides whether you can be casual and funny or whether you would have to be serious and sophisticated. It also gives you great input in streamlining your speech by suggesting what you need to include and what you can do without.
Dress the part.
As much as we refuse to admit, image is everything. How the audience responds to you highly depends on how they perceive you. Generally, you would appear as a more convincing speaker if you are dressed well. Also, since the audience will have to look at you anyway, might as well make that experience a pleasant one for them.
KISS. Keep It Short and Simple.
Even geniuses have limited attention spans. Do not bore your audience to death with a speech that is too long. The faster you can get your message across, the better. A short and simple message also appears smarter and it prevents you from being perceived as someone who came unprepared. It also allows your listeners to retain what you have said easily.
In addition to these, your public speaking skills will also be improved if you practice establishing eye contact with your audience. Also, if the occasion and your resources will permit, you can use visual aids such as slide presentations, product samples, handouts, etc to stimulate your audience’s attention. To cap off your presentation, you should be able to answer the audience’s question confidently and with tact.
Remember that there could really come a time when you will have no other choice but to speak in public. So you might as well be ready when that time comes. It could either be a disastrous or a pleasant experience for you; and you have all the power to make the most out of it. Follow the tips above and you’ll surely be on your way to become a natural at public speaking.
Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org)can help you develop your communication skills. Find out more information and check to see clubs in your area.
You too can become a confident speaker
Fran
District 61 Public Relations Officer
For some, spiders; for many, ghosts; others would say heights, but there are those who would admit that public speaking is their greatest fear.
It is actually normal. Come to think of it, there is nothing more frightening than having to stand up and speak in front of a group of people who could sleep, shout at you, laugh at you, or leave while you are talking. Even actress Debra Messing of Will and Grace surprisingly had this fear all her life. And she’s an actress! Imagine how much worse this could be for those who haven’t even had the chance to go up om a stage ever in their lives.
Thankfully, public speaking is a fear that can easily be overcome. Even if you are not exactly fearful, but you think you still need improvement, you can improve your public speaking skills quite easily by following the tips below.
Be prepared and practice.
The value of preparation can never be overemphasized. It adds confidence and substance to your speech. Research your topic well and try to find the best way to present it. Outline your points and use cue cards if necessary. Practice your delivery to make sure that your talk will not exceed the time allotted for you and also so you can assess your delivery. If you are to speak at a very important engagement, try to practice your speech in front of someone who could properly assess how you have done.
Know your audience.
Technically, this is still part of being prepared but it is so important that it calls for a separate entry. Knowing your audience provides you with valuable insight on the type of presentation that would appeal best to them. It guides whether you can be casual and funny or whether you would have to be serious and sophisticated. It also gives you great input in streamlining your speech by suggesting what you need to include and what you can do without.
Dress the part.
As much as we refuse to admit, image is everything. How the audience responds to you highly depends on how they perceive you. Generally, you would appear as a more convincing speaker if you are dressed well. Also, since the audience will have to look at you anyway, might as well make that experience a pleasant one for them.
KISS. Keep It Short and Simple.
Even geniuses have limited attention spans. Do not bore your audience to death with a speech that is too long. The faster you can get your message across, the better. A short and simple message also appears smarter and it prevents you from being perceived as someone who came unprepared. It also allows your listeners to retain what you have said easily.
In addition to these, your public speaking skills will also be improved if you practice establishing eye contact with your audience. Also, if the occasion and your resources will permit, you can use visual aids such as slide presentations, product samples, handouts, etc to stimulate your audience’s attention. To cap off your presentation, you should be able to answer the audience’s question confidently and with tact.
Remember that there could really come a time when you will have no other choice but to speak in public. So you might as well be ready when that time comes. It could either be a disastrous or a pleasant experience for you; and you have all the power to make the most out of it. Follow the tips above and you’ll surely be on your way to become a natural at public speaking.
Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org)can help you develop your communication skills. Find out more information and check to see clubs in your area.
You too can become a confident speaker
Fran
District 61 Public Relations Officer
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