I’m hosting an event, today, where recruiting professionals will learn how to use new media tools to hire people in better, faster, and more efficient ways.
That’s the goal, anyway.
You don’t even realize how much work it takes for me to stand in front of people and talk. Executive leaders like Jack Welch have coaches and corporate communication teams to make them look great. I have a mirror, a flip camera, and a prescription for Xanax.
Thankfully, my role on Monday is to help keep shit moving in the right direction. I’m a ringleader. The real stars are those who are presenting. Any quick tips for me — or the other moderators and panelists — on how to be better public speakers? Have you done anything to improve your skills? Has it paid off in your career?
Let me know. I’ll be checking comments all day long, yo.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Tuned in late. Seems to me that you are doing fine without any help! Great presentation skills and voice. I’m going to stop wriiting now and listen.
Dude, you know what I’m going to say. Take improv classes. I’ve seen this help so many people become better public speakers.
Also, adhere to the mindset of if you are going to “do it wrong, do it strong.” If you mess up in front of people, it’s no biggy if you do it with confidence, most people will never even catch it.
Finally, remember 90% of public speaking isn’t the words you say, it’s your intonation and body language. For shits and giggles, my comic friends and I will all tell the same joke, but in different styles to see which version works the best. It’s the same joke, same punch line, just different delivery and that’s the secret to sales!
I know you probably already know this, but improv comedy has been one of the BEST tools in making me a better speaker. It definitely made me a better teacher. By being able learn how to be real and honest in the moment, I’ve been able to VASTLY improve my public speaking skills.
Then I took a standup comedy class.
Me, the comedian, was terrified of standup. After 6 weeks of getting up every week in front of the 7 people in my class, making them laugh, or FAILING to make them laugh, I learned how to work a crowd.
Laurie, I think you need to take an improv class for real. Why?
1. You’re hilarious and you’d be awesome.
2. I honestly think it could replace the Xanax.
3. I’m not kidding.
Just a thought
I once lost my train of thought during a presentation. Totally blanked. I can’t even blame the hot girl in the front row because there wasn’t one. I stood there for a second (which of course felt like a week) and then I said, “I’m sorry, I’ve lost my train of thought, I need to look at my notes”. I took a quick look and then moved on and finished strong. I even got a kudos from someone in my audience for the way I handled that little break.
I agree with the confidence thought. When you are making a presentation, people are there to pay attention to you and listen to what you have to say. The audience thinks you know the topic or at least know more about it then they do. So unless you say “It’s great to be here in Ohio” when you’re actually in Michigan, you’re going to do just fine.
Do it confidentally and you’ll rock it!
Keep in mind that the audience wants to see you succeed. They’re cheering for you and they trust you. In fact, we all want you to win.
When I’ve done media training with executives, I ask them to have conversations with individual members of the audience. Select 3-5 people to ‘anchor’ you and be the special focus of your eye contact.
@HRPuf The Aristocrats!!
Tips for public speaking? Practice practice practice. Practice for a specific presentation, but also take any opportunities you can get to speak in front of people. It’s a skill that requires confidence, which takes practice.
Also, I’m with Puf re: 90% of public speaking being not what you say, but how you say it – as Cicero once said, the three most important elements of effective oration are Delivery, Delivery, Delivery.
I agree with Marsha. I just finished a week of endless open enrollment presentations. Eye contact with the audience – even if it’s only a couple of people – makes all the difference. I appreciate it so much when I’m speaking, I always try to be an available member of the audience when someone else is on the spot.
You rocked….loved the discussion.
I HATE getting up in front of people!! And imagining them naked only compounds the terror and loathing– look around you– and imagine your coworkers nude! A-a-a-a-h!!!!
And I always think alcohol helps— but everytime, I forget why I was up there– and start speaking jibberish. Evidently, getting people laughing is the first rule of public speaking– gets everyone comfortable immediately.
Public speaking is something I need to work on, too. I’m never all that nervous, just chronically unprepared. I don’t think “winging it” is a viable long-term strategy for developing as a speaker.
I was in debate in High School and I’d say that was the absolute best training I ever received for both thinking critically as well as public speaking.
In life after school, I believe it just has to be about practice. Speak as often as possible in front of groups. Tape yourself- watch the tapes (which will always be painful no matter how well the speech goes). Get feedback then practice again.
I’m not part of Toastmasters, but I’ve heard tons of people say that organization has helped them tremendously.
I did Toasmasters. However, not all Toastmasters are created equal. One group in Akron was great. The group in Cleveland was horrible (punitive on mistakes which made it harder, especially when you had trouble starting). Still, I learned. My biggest live group was a few thousand salesfolk (I was an engineer in marketing). I had fun and my 20 minute speech drew praise from the audience for NOT trying to tell them what the incomprehensible new technical features were. I just told them how to sell our software (client selection, prospecting, prep, etc.) I was equally amusing and informative. Humor does work. btw sales went up by 1/3 from that hardware vendor. Before the speech you have to realize what the audience knows (or does not know). A recent speech at my synagogue during the High Holidays actually drew applause (a very rare event!) The good news is that public speaking can be a learned skill, and once learned, stays.
I’m speaking in front of a few hundred people this week at a conference, as I’ve done a few times a year for a while now. What works for me is to spend a lot of time getting prepared – know the material, know the audience, know everything I can about what’s going to be presented or discussed. Having a lot of comfort with the topic helps me loosen up and be myself, think on my feet, and have a better presence. Be confident in yourself, and that confidence will shine through.
Recently took a 2-day class on presentation skills. Some of the things I learned -walking with purpose, posture and use of big arm gestures. The rest of it has to do with preparation, practice and confidence -confidence being key.
I’m learning a lot about public speaking by immediately, and then again later, writing down how things could have gone better, not for me, but for the audience. The last time I did a presentation, I was more concerned with, and thrown off by, the bad web connection and the lack of time (previous session went long), and how I was going to get through all the material, then I was about the audience’s needs. I certainly focused on their needs while I was preparing the session, but sort of forgot them while I was doing it. Nerves, lack of experience, who knows.
My most enjoyable and successful speaking experience was when I was a moderator (hey, I’m Oprah!) and could put myself in the audience’s head while the session was going on — what would they want to know about that issue, what’s a good follow up question to that statement, etc.
So get in their heads and out of your own — that’s my advice for the day.
It looks like you survived. Great job keeping shit moving!
As an introvert, I still get nervous when I get in front of the classes I teach, and I have been doing it for 15 years. I’ll concur on the preparation part….if you know what you are talking about, it is much easier. Similarly, instead of b.s.ing it, admitting you don’t know an answer takes a lot of the pressure off.
My advice…one, just keep doing it. Be engaging…smile, laugh, change your diction constantly, it makes for a more engaging presentation. I am into week 4 of 6 doing Outplacment for a coming that is closing. You talk a about tough audience, they are all facing Unemployment in a climate that is less than desirable to finding a new job. But the reviews of my 2 part- 4hour sessions, yes four hour sessions has been outstanding. Why, I keep it entertaining and make a point to engage every audience member. Sure am I nervous every time I start, yes, but it quickly goes away within seconds of starting…best of luck to you!!!
Believe it or not, I used to be paralyzed when it came to public speaking. I used to shake so much that my knees seemed to knock together. I joined Toastmasters, and took a Dale Carnegie course. Both helped me, but there is always room for improvement.
For every presentation I gave I prepare…more than most people would know.
My advice: Prepare, Be Yourself, Keep Improving along the way.
@fran Thanks!
@Puf I love do it wrong/do it strong. I’m a do it shitty/do it pithy kind of girl.
@Molly Lady, I didn’t renew my Xanax prescription and it’s all kinds of awesome. Especially when I introduce myself as Laurie Woman. Yup, hear me roar.
@Glen Whoa that’s brave. I might have thrown up on myself.
@Marsha Oh thanks and I love the anchor idea.
@Ian You are so right about practice. It makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
@cowgirl I don’t miss open enrollment presentations. I used to get so annoyed that I would forget to be nervous.
@Debe thanks!
@MattyMat Yuck, I hate the nude thing. Gross.
@Average Jane I am not a fan of winging it and I can tell when someone is winging it, too. I’m like, really, isn’t my time worth a little more of your preparation? On the other hand, DO NOT OVERPREPARE LIKE ME. I am a freak.
@Breanne I was thinking about a toastmasters in Raleigh but I’m lazy.
@Headhunter I think you’re right that it’s a learned skill. There are rules. Hmmm… must now get serious about the toastmasters.
@Steve GOOD LUCK!
@Sheila I’m a little woman. How big are these arm gestures?
@Deidre Whoa, that’s awesome advice.
@akaBruno I’m really good at saying, “I don’t have a clue.” I’ll do that more often.
PS – I can’t believe you get nervous. UR an expert.
@Steve Thank you! Good advice!
@Libby Prepare, Be Yourself, Keep Improving along the way. Oh that’s so good. I’ll keep working on it.
i’ve always forced a friend or family member to sit through the entire presentation and give me notes on if everything made sense and what they feel I should change. None of them are in HR, so if they feel like they walked away with a working knowledge of the material, i feel solid going into the presentation…word up
The secret to being memorable is telling stories that make the information real to those listening. Native American wisdom reminds us, “Tell me a fact and I’ll listen, tell me a truth and I’ll learn, but tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” Stories also represent our original material – no one else can tell your story, and it is a natural way of communicating. Here’s a review for Fast Company on Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story.” http://bit.ly/yIriZ
Well you certainly fooled me… and 300 other people I am sure! You seemed a natural on stage and you did an awesome job keeping the crowd on schedule. It was a pleasure to meet you… and share a conversation that was broadcasted live to those who happened to be listening to the live stream during the break!
L: Just do the hard work of rehersing in your mirror. You will be confident and relaxed during the real thing after you’ve done this for a few times. Most importantly just be “you”! That’s what people want–your personality, your punk style, and that’s why they hire you. Best wishes and luck!
Dave
Oh MY GOD! Girlfriend you were the most awesome! Come on already all that coaching the Lucy gave you of prancing around and not worrying about how you look! How could you go wrong! Well no one could tell you were nervous even when you had to put on your “HR” hat and “shhhshh!” everyone! You certainly know how to herd cats (and sharks!)
@SiKninja Word. Good advice. Thank you.
@Gail AWESOME. Thank you!
@Kerry Oh snap, thank you, but you didn’t have to out yourself. I wasn’t going to tell anyone that I was talking to you. I’m not sure if you want your brand associated with my spanx-loving brand.
@Dave I totally rehearsed in front of a mirror and then became self-conscious because I need to have my eyebrows cleaned up. Thanks for the advice.
@Kathleen Now I’m embarrassed. I wasn’t fishing for compliments, but shoot, I’ll take ‘em. Feels good to be done.
I joined Toastmasters recently and even though I have not yet had many practice speeches, I can say I feel more confident already. The “table topics” section in Toastmasters where one has to speak impromptu within 30 seconds of being given a topic, without any prior preparation, is what has helped me most. Thinking on one’s feet, blanking out in the middle of a speech and recovering quickly, and knowing one can survive anything after that, just increased dollops of confidence.
You are on stage for a reason. If you sucked, they wouldn’t have asked you. Stage fright is just another form of egotism – if you are nervous, you are making the event about you instead of about the information and about your audience.
@HRI Whoa, that’s awesome insight about narcissism and egotism. Thank you.
@Mona Toastmasters FTW!
Loved the live stream of SRS. I can’t wait to see you really live doing your thing one day on stage..