Working with Photographers - Paul M Johnstone

The next time a newspaper photographer takes your picture, remember the 5 things they hate!

1. People who are up themselves and demand that other people be included or excluded from the shot.   Never tell the photographer who to photograph. Don’t put them on the spot like this, because you want a top job.  Think about it, if you try to put them on the spot, what usually happens is, they will oblige and take a few shots just to placate you.  But then they will make a mental note that you're a real pain to deal with.

2. Not giving the photographer enough time to take a photo. After he arrives, he might want to look around, consider several different backdrops, check and double-check equipment, make sure the lighting is adequate, and experiment by shooting you in several different settings. So don't rush him.

3. Know all’s.  These are usually amateur photographers, who think they know all the best angles, lighting and backdrops. Hang on a moment.  The photographer doesn't tell you how to do your job. So you shouldn't tell them how to take a photograph

4. Public relations people and staff members who act like bodyguards and refuse to let the photographer talk one-on-one with the photo subject. Photographers like one-on-one contact for several reasons. It makes the photo subject feel more at ease. It also helps the photographer discover something about the photo subject that they that might not have known.  

Often these people leave the photographer waiting for half an hour. Call them as soon as you know there will be a delay.  The photographer may want to reschedule, as they have another job to get to. A reminder for you, every minute you make a photographer wait is one less minute they can spend helping you look good.

5. Being a control freak! Demanding to see all the photos they have taken so you can choose.  Leave this decision to the photographer and photo editor. Added to that demanding that you get to keep originals, these are the property of the Newspaper or media organisation. They are under no obligation whatsoever to give them to you, although some media outlets will sell you a print.

Photographers tell me that it’s often these people who ask if the photographer can send them 10 reprint, for free!  Don't ask the reporters or editors. Call the publication and order them yourself, and expect to pay.

Please comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. All feedback is great feedback

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Speaker, Author, and Executive Mentor. He has build two businesses by using the power of the network and with almost no other marketing. And can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/ and http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

P.S.  I’m reading a great book The DNA of success by Chris Norton, which is full of fascinating stories from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information. Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me. I hope you enjoy it.

Engage your audience. - Paul M Johnstone

When you go Business to Business Networking, you usually have an opportunity to speak to the group.  You know the public speaking part, known as networking.

One of the key tools in your Business to Business Networking tool bag is how you engage and connect with your audience.

Remember to use your voice and keep it at a good level for people further away from you, there’s nothing more annoying that not being able to hear a presenter speak.

Give good eye contact – The key here is to deliver one thought to one person then move to someone different. Use props can help because it gives your hands something to hold on to if you get nervous.

Your 60 seconds is over in a flash, but for some people it feels like forever.  The best advice I can give you is take your time, …breath, and talk at a steady pace.  You will find information on speed in speaking on this blog page http://bit.ly/vHyoUh

And think about how you like a speaker to deliver information to you.  Probably best when it is done at a steady pace, with lots of time for your brain to process all that new information.

Wrapping it up.

Now the points mentioned above are a generalisation of my experiences, which have been good over the years, the more you present the better you will become – after all repetition is the mother of all skill.

Practice aloud your 60 seconds so you get the feel of your words.  I’ve seen and heard so may 60 seconds that have obviously been read internally. And surprise, surprise when its said aloud, it does not work the way the presenter intended it to.

Feedback

I like it when people give me constructive feedback after a presentation, generally it helps you to get a firm understanding of what worked and what didn’t, and this will help you to sharpen your proverbial presentation saw, so that next time your presentation is even better.

You can always ask fro feedback when you stand to deliver your 60 seconds, you will always get someone coming up with what you had missed.

And while we are on Feedback, I thought I would share with you a fantastic book I am reading.  The DNA of success by Chris Norton, is full of fascinating stories gleaned from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information. 

Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me.  Here is the linkhttp://bit.ly/tlfMbw I hope you enjoy it.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Mentor and PowerPoint Guru! He works with companies, charities and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills and deliver successful presentations. 

Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

The Fear Factor - Paul M Johnstone

The Fear Factor is a best selling Novel by Robert Harris is a great book and captures the essence of personal fear.   You know that the same fear we experience when we  speak in public. The same chemicals and hormones let loose on our bodies.    So having a fear of speaking in public is normal, right?    

Well it’s not quite that simple and by way of an explanation I’ve highlighted something that will be familiar to most networkers.

Over the 20 odd years I have attended thousands of Networking meetings.  I’ve picked up a few tips on what works best when you have your 10 minute slot.  After all these years it’s about time I shared them with you.  Here they are and I hope you get benefit from them. 
Most of the networking events such as BNI, Refer-On, BoB and 4 N as well as various breakfast clubs give you the chance to present information about your business.   I find the best way to deliver a presentation whether in PowerPoint, a flip chart or using props is to do have a plan that includes some key steps

1 -Introduction: Be brief tell your audience a little bit about yourself.  It’s worth remembering, it’s not the meat of your presentation so don’t bore your audience.  Personally I would double the time you spend in your 60 seconds.  So no more than 20 seconds on this section.  You audience is only listening for What’s In It For Me, the WIIFM.  Sadly the location of your office, your funny staff, the car park and colours scheme do mot meet your audience WIIFM.  So get to the part where you can connect with them quickly.

2 – Signpost: Tell your audience a little of what’s to come.  It’s good to it’s a story on a particular subject or experience you’ve had. Remember as humans we hard wired to listen to stories.

3 – Main points: Talk about some of the key parts of your subject, whether it’s a product, service, product or experience you’ve had.  This is a great opportunity to expand your story and get your audience to come on the journey with you.

4 – Result: Here you can present and talk about the results (and benefits) you achieved, the results a customer achieved or on a particular case study (Portfolio item). Remember results can be numbers and also things which mattered most to people.  Remember the testimonials you have, what a great place to use them.

5 – Conclusion: Wrap up the presentation and leave the audience wanting to know more about you, your company or your service etc. Remember its only 10 minutes so get them wanting more.

6 – Questions: This can be interesting.  But if you understand your subject you should be able to plan for the questions you may get.  So you can Prepare your answers in advance.  Then Practice your answer aloud so you get the feel of your words.  It’s important to allow up to 5 minutes for questions.  For any more questions, simply ask people to speak to you after the meeting and write their names down so you can approach them. You never know they may be your next sales lead.

7 – Thank You: Thank your audience for their participation in being present and listening.

Follow this simple 7 point plan next time you have a 10 minute presentation.  This format works for longer presentations just as well.

As we started with a book I thought I would share with you a fantastic book I am reading.  The DNA of success by Chris Norton, which is full of fascinating stories from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information.  Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me.  Here is the linkhttp://bit.ly/tlfMbw I hope you enjoy it.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Mentor and PowerPoint Guru! He works with companies, charities and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills and deliver successful presentations.

He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk



©Paul M Johnstone

Overcome the fear of public speaking, the science - Paul M Johnstone

The Guest Blogger this week is Dr Lynda Shaw a neuropsychologist sharing with us the science behind the fear of public speaking

Thursday 4^th: George just pushed the food around his plate.  In a few minutes he was going to be introduced to stand and speak in front of 50 people.  He could hardly swallow his saliva let alone lunch.

“Ladies and Gentleman, it gives me great pleasure to introduce George of Dragon limited.”

The words sounded miles away, drowned out by his pounding heart, but he stood and walked heavily to the podium with beads of sweat glistening his top lip and shaking hands, regretting the day he agreed to do this.

It could have been different. Our unconscious, automatic emotional brain acts faster than our rational, conscious factual brain.  No amount of logical thinking can arrest the fear of all eyes watching George, judging his performance, waiting for him to make a mistake leading to humiliation.

Crazy isn’t it?  Audiences want to like the speaker.  They want to be entertained and informed, but our emotional brain taps into old mistaken beliefs and sends cortisol, the stress hormone through the roof. 

Which means it’s jolly hard to remember what we want to say.  And to top it all cortisol suppresses all those wonderful neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine so that we can’t sleep, eat, think clearly and we become overly anxious.

Top Tip To Tame The Unconscious – make up a mantra such as “I’m a great public speaker, I’m interesting, they love me and I’m having fun.”  Say it and mean it many, many times.  Remember perfection is an illusion – go out there and enjoy, the audience will be in the palm of your hand.

Saturday 6^th George just had time to eat dessert before he was announced.

 

Lynda Shaw With a PhD in neuropsychology and extensive business experience, Lynda is uniquely placed to offer companies a whole new perspective on communication and the ageing workforce.  Professional speaker, seminars, private consultations and author.   

Lynda can be reached via her website www.drlyndashaw.com

You may have questions and commnets please post them as I am keen for feedback on this blog having the view that all feedback is good feedback 

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru! He works with companies, charities and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills and deliver successful presentations.  Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

©Paul M Johnstone

Are you version 1.50 or 3.50? - Paul M Johnstone

Knowing what version of speaker software you use is a great way of working out what is the best way of delivering you presentation. 

Did you know that we have lots of ways of speaking and public speaking utilises a different version to our normal speech pattern? 

Whenever you speak to people, one on one, one on two or to groups, we all have a natural pace.  And this is where speaking version 1.50 or 3.50 comes into its own.  Just like the difference of driving a small family car and driving an articulated lorry. 

When you are speaking publicly or presenting you need to do some things just a little bit differently.

Our natural speaking speed is between 130 and 190 words a minute.  But we think at around 350 words a minute! This is your version 3.50.   When you address a group it’s important you select version 1.50.  Which means, to get a better response from your audience you should speak at about 150 words per minute. 

And the reason is simple.  If you have ever tried to speak at the same speed you think, how often have you been tripped up by using too many words?  How often have the thoughts just dried up and you become lost for words?

Speaking to groups and presenting business ideas means you need to engage your audience.  After all if you just stand up and deliver your message without engaging both your brain and your audience, you may as well talk to the wind.

You will get a better response from your audience if you slow down and pause noticeably between sentences.  Slow down your delivery and pause, the keys to getting a better response from the people you want to influence. 

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru! He works with companies, charities and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills and deliver successful presentations.  Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

©Paul M Johnstone

Think Before You Speak ~ Paul M Johnstone

A few days ago I read a story about a man who cleaned a fan with bleach, it was the one the family used in the living room. Then to his surprise, when he turned on the fan, bleach sprayed all over the room.  The result was white bleach spots on the curtains, upholstery, carpets, in fact everything in the room.  So what was he thinking about when he the fan on, quite clearly not the process.

Sometimes we make mistakes when we present, simply because we aren't thinking. Over the years, I have left my notes and props at home simply because I wasn’t thinking. I failed with the first part of the process, a check list.  More often than not this when I was attending a networking breakfast, too early and my brain was in neutral.  However if you are public speaking your thought process should be fully tuned in. One way to insure your success when you are speaking is to think ahead about what you need for the speaking occasion.  Back to your check list.

A good place to start is by thinking about the people you will meet. Go through in your notes the names of the important people for you should talk to.  Who do you need to speak to with when you arrive. If you are unsure of some people and positions their, check their websites.

Always, always check pronunciation of unusual names , a good tip is call the company and ask how they pronounce it.

Ok simple stuff, how are you going to get there? Train, Car, how? When you’re speaking in-house, check you have the right room specified in your notes. Consider rush hour traffic important for roads like the M6, M1 and M25, do you have to cross a large city? Never book the last flight so if there is a hold up or cancelation, you have a fall back position.  

Think about material that you may have struggled with in your preparation and review it again. It’s a good idea to check you have the latest set of data especially if it has been some time since you spoke on that topic.

Take a moment to think about questions audience members may ask you. Follow the three P’s on that one Plan, Prepare, Practice.  (There will be a blog just on that subject later in the year)  You may check internet sources to see if there is a new piece of research that will support your presentation.

What do you want from your presentation?  What do your audience expect? What take away have you prepared?  If you have any doubts about the first two call the organiser and ask questions.

Remember the process of one thought delivered to one person then one pause.  This allows you all the time you need to process your next thought. And remember Mt Franklin, who gave all speakers the best piece of information ever.  “Be sincere, be brief, be seated”

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals.  Helping people to speak and present more effectively, and to improve their personal and professional success. 

Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362 or through either of his websites at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ or http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/
For quick speaking tips take a look at this Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ParadigmShakers

When Less Is More ~ Paul M Johnstone©

We have all heard it before, well we try to do it.  Often a speaker says too much instead of too little.

Here is an old example.  A little boy went to his mother and asked a question. She said, "Why don't you go ask your dad?" His response: "I don't want to know that much about it."

Often when you communicate, less is better. Say you are using a PowerPoint, p[lease don't put 50 words on a slide. A PowerPoint slide is there to support your presentation, its not supposed to be your presentation. It’s no place to hold every word of your message.

Instead, create simple slides, that contain a few words, then use the slide to support your presentation. . A good reminder is the 30 point rule: nothing in less than 30 point type.  That way everyone can see and read your slides. Otherwise, your PowerPoint gives the whole message in a boring and tedious manner.

I have been showing people how to use PowerPoint for some time now and lots of people try to make their presentation interesting but don’t have the information to make it work. 

And please don't give a lengthy answer to a "yes" or "no" question. When a person asks you a "yes" or "no" question, a "yes" or "no" is the answer! Your audience only wants an explanation where the questions starts, "What do you think..." "How do you feel..." or "How do you...?"

When you are near the end of a twenty-minute presentation and you realize you have another five minutes of excellent material, don't keep talking. Go to your conclusion and sit down. And avoid the temptation to speed up to get it all in.

Your audience will never know what excellent material you had yet to cover and will think you are a well-organized and effective speaker because you finished on time.

And remember the old speaker saying “Be sincere, Be brief and Be seated”

Please feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. All feedback is great

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals.  Helping people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

A quick Guide to Effective Public Speaking~ Paul M Johnstone

Why do so many of us feel awkward when we get up to address a group?  

And I use the word feel on purpose, because we do feel nervous. Is it the fear of public speaking or something else?

So, delivering an effective presentation to a small or large group can be difficult. One of the reasons may be. Because your audience may have access to all sorts of information thought the internet.  

It’s now a fact that audiences expect even more from speakers today. 

In addition, because of celebrity speakers, audiences are looking for entertainment.  They want a presentation delivered with animation, humour, celebrity stories and glitz.

There are lots of books out there, specialising in how to speak in public, but I thought I would write this condensed version for you.  This comes from my 12 years speaking to audiences on a regular basis

Start with a Bang!  

Many years ago I saw a speaker walk onto a dark stage and fire a starting pistol to get our attention.  You may prefer by opening with a contentious statement, a headline grabber, or your own story. 

Audiences are known to pay close attention when a speech begins with, "Last week as I was walking through the town on my lunch break, I witnessed a robbery!..." 

This is a great technique for grabbing your audience’s attention.  You may say something contentious, such as Global Warming is nonsense, or I think sex offenders get a bad press!

However you start your presentation you will get a better reaction, when you grab the attention of the audience from the start.

You have tons of natural energy, so use it!  

Speak with variety in your voice. Slow down for a dramatic point and pick up pace to show excitement. And pause……… This allows your audience to digest what you have just said.   

Don't just stand behind the lectern! OK I know once your hands touch it, the super glue effect kicks in and you find you are welded to it! It’s best to move a step away to make a point. When you are encouraging your audience, take a step toward them. Gesture to show how big or wide or tall or small an object is that you are describing. Whatever your movements, they should have purpose.

If you don’t have a plan you don’t have a speech.

There are lots of people giving lots of advice about the plan and structure for a speech.  Over the years I have tried most and the one that works for me is this.  

Pick up to Five main points from your speech and set them out on cards.  Under these headings use between three to five supporting points. Now you should have three, four or five cards, with up to five points on each card.  The supporting points can be personal examples, definitions, testimony, or statistics. PowerPoint is a great way to support these points These are there to act as a trigger to your delivery.  You now have the plan and running order in place.

A quick design tip ~ Bar Charts are best for comparisons and pie graphs are best for showing distribution of percentages.  I will share more on this in later blogs

How to build a bridge!

You often hear people speaking and you may hear a random fact that just pops out of nowhere. What’s happened is there was no link, or no signpost indicating this was going to happen.  One of the best ways is to build a bridge between the two parts.  

These could be signposts such as "First," "Second," or "Finally." Use an internal summary by simply including the point you just made and telling what you plan to talk about next. "Now that we have talked about structure, let's move on to the use of stories," would be an example. When you have an introduction, two or three main points with support for each, appropriate transitions, and a conclusion, you will have your speech organized in a way that the audience can follow you easily.

Put ‘YOU’ into your speech, at least once.

The ‘you’ factor is so important in a technical presentation. Use personal experience that connects to your speech content, and your audience.  Then they will connect with you.

You want to help the audience link emotionally with what you are talking about, and the personal experience does that. With almost any topic you might choose, you have at least one "war story" to relate to the topic. When you tell the story, simply start at the beginning and move chronologically through the narrative, including answers to the "W" questions: "Who," What, "When," "Why," and "Where."

Grab A Graphic. 

To add interest and understanding to your speech use graphics. A visual aid could be an object, a flip chart, a PowerPoint presentation, overhead projector slides, or a dry erase board. If you are using pictures please use good quality ones.  Nothing makes your presentation look cheap and nasty quicker than cheap images.   

And PowerPoint tip, when adding words to your slide, ALWAYS be sure it is 30 point or BIGGER.  That way everyone in your audience will be able to read it. And its just the way, that the person at the back who can’t read your slide, will be the one with the power over your sale!  

And never allow the visual to become a silent demonstration. Keep talking as you show the visual. You are still the main event and your visual is there to support you. Do what your mum told you to do, don’t turn your back on people when you are talking to them!  

The Experts tell us that  

If you are delivering a persuasive, possibly a technical speech, it helps if you use and include testimony of experts.  It’s best if these experts are known to and respected by the audience.  Add key statistics when possible to show the seriousness of what you are discussing. 

For example, if I were discussing how best to use PowerPoint to support your presentation I would tell you about the educational psychologists who tell us there are 8 principles that help you to take in the information better if it’s presented differently. By using stories, testimony, and statistics in your speech, you add depth to your evidence.

The eyes have it!

Eye contact is the most misunderstood part of public speaking.  You may have been told to slice the room into sectors and look in that sector, then move to the next, and so on.

I wish I could find the person who stared this as I would *******       Well best not go there! The problem is we know that people who look us in the eye are truthful. So people who avoid eye contact with us are? 

Small audiences pose different challenges than large audiences.  But one thing is common.  Both are more likely to engage with you if you can look them in the eye.   Then hold eye contact with one person, speak to them for 4 or 5 seconds and move on to the next person. 

With practice you will start to see a whole different reaction from your audience and the feedback you get will be amazing.  Because you will be doing what 99% of business people don’t do.  That’s talk to your audience.  What they do is talk at their audience. 

Make is a "wow" with something they don’t know

Something in your speech should make your audience think, "Wow!" It could be a story, a dramatic point, an unusual statistic, or an effective visual that helps the audience understand immediately. With a "wow" factor, you then have something to look forward to in the speech that you know will have an impact on your audience. You'll become a more enthusiastic speaker because the "wow" factor will get you as well as your audience pumped for the speech.

Oh and as Benjamin Franklin said of public speaking, “Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated.”

Use a touch of humour but make it appropriate.

No not a stand up, so no panic.    But a great technique is to lightening up a serious speech so that people will find it easier to be interested in your ideas. 

Audiences today want some entertainment in a speech, I believe the word is edutainment!  Humour will help you to be seen as amiable and it is hard for people to disagree if they are smiling at you. 

Yogi Berra said a lot of funny things. "You can observe a lot just by watching" for example. Tell a short embarrassing moment in your life that you might have thought not funny at the time. Now that you can laugh at the experience, you understand the old adage, "Humour is simply tragedy separated by time and space." 

And a couple of No-No’s, don't poke fun at your audience.  It should be you as the object of any shortcoming.  People seeing that you can laugh at yourself, is a good technique.  Don’t swear, use jargon or inappropriate language, phew glad that’s over. 

End with a bang: 

People remember best what you say last. And if you can give them something you know or believe will make a difference.  And a big gesture helps to emphasise the point you are making.  

You might summarize your main points, or you might complete the statement, "What I want you to do as a result of this presentation is...." But beyond that, make your last words a thought to ponder. For example, I might end a speech on becoming a better speaker with "As Cicero said centuries ago, 'The skill to do comes with the doing.'"

Becoming a good speaker comes with practice, oh and practice, and again more practice.  No not at home in front of a mirror, more of that later.  No the best way is to be in front of an audience with a message to deliver

Comments please!  The only way I can improve the quality of my posts is if you folks tell me what you think, so please do.

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals.  Paul helps people who want to speak and present more effectively, and works with them to improve their personal and professional success. Paul can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/ and http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

Grabbing your audiences attention - Paul M Johnstone

Start with a bang!

A regular series of tips and techniques on Public speaking, presentation skills and presenting with PowerPoint, all of them are easy to master.  Sharing with you tips on overcoming the fear of public speaking which allow you to present with ease.  Let me know your views on these tips on connecting with your audience.

A friend of mine, a motivational speaker, uses their climb of Everest, as the theme of teambuilding.  Now climbing Everest you would think would be about high winds, Ice traverses and all pulling together. 

Well you would be wrong and one of the reasons is the statistics shown during the opening the opening sequence.  This is that 75% and 1 in 100. 

These refer to the 75% failure rate of climbers on Everest. 

The other 1 in a 100 is the number of deaths on Everest!

Which is I am sure you’ll agree an arresting start.  And it does more than put Everest into perspective, it takes the audience to a low place.  Not what they are expecting from a motivational speaker.

But it has the effect of allowing the speech to work to a series of peaks. 

Back in the late 70’s there was a sales motivational speaker, who’s name I forget, no doubt someone will be able to help me out!  He used to come onto a dark stage wearing a white suit. 

But with all the house lights down no one could see him.  His speech started when he fired a starting pistol.  Now that grabbed everyone’s attention.  And his speech was called close that sale.

Now these two examples are not easy to copy.  But think about your own talk.  I bet there us something in there you can highlight at the beginning.   Here are a few I have heard:

The Business coach who says at the start “You will never look at another set of accounts in the same way again”  A simple statement but gets his audiences attention straight away.

The Debt recovery specialist, who says “You have not lost money, it’s juts someone else is  using it at the moment, but you will get it back, when you follow these simple techniques”!

The PR speaker who starts every speech and pitch with “I can make you famous”

These three examples are simple and appropriate to the presentation.  With just a little preparation you will be starting your presentations with a BANG!

Keep checking back for more detailed insight into these three goals in the coming weeks

Comments and feedback pleas! Feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. You guys keep me on track and help me improve.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills.  Paul helps people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

©Paul M Johnstone

Touching the arm of your prospects ~ Paul M Johnstone

A lot of people have difficulty when it comes to speaking to groups, Get in touch if you want to improve  public speaking and presenting can be a tremendous help to your business or your career. 

During my research for this post I came across a book I first read back in 2007. where I  saw this and thought it had been written for this blog.  

These words are based on the original be Phillip Khan-Panni.  Please check out this for an idea what you can say in a very short time frame.

These words are based on the original be Phillip Khan-Panni.  Please check out this for an idea what you can say in a very short time frame.

"I left home early to meet with you today. 

As I walked towards my car, I met an attractive blond in a red dress. 

She touched my arm and asked “Where are you off to?”   

I said I was speaking at the Stowmarket chamber networking breakfast where I had to deliver a message in 60 seconds. 

Because, as a speaker I have to do it and show others how deliver in a set time. 

She said but don’t all networkers always cram too much in too little 60 seconds - so no one ever remembers what they said? We laughed and I wondered if you agree with that?"

That vignette can be read aloud in 30 seconds.  Even such a short tale tells the reader so much.  It involves you because you believe I knew the attractive woman.  

By touching my arm she moved out of your imagination into your context.  There was a theme you could follow, the need I used was for criticism and I wanted an outcome.  All that in 30 seconds!

All that in 30 seconds of apparently casual conversation.  So how does that translate to your 60 seconds or however long you have?

So many people deliver a 60 seconds in a flat mater of fact way, no wonder we don’t remember what we said.  

The answer is we concentrate on what we believe is important and forget what the audience want.  They are always looking for the WIIFM.  The “What’s In It For Me” is the only thing the audience are looking for.

Work out what your audience want from you and, give it to them.  Keep experimenting because you will see from your audience’s reaction when its working.

 I have developed an easy to use system so you can deliver killer presentations every time, called On The Money© 

To find out more jst get in touch and I will send you an informative  document on how it works.

Comments and feedback pleas! Feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. You guys keep me on track and help me improve.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills.  Paul helps people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

©Paul M Johnstone

Public Speaking Tips: An Uneasy Silence - Paul M Johnstone

Public Speaking Tips - 

The Pause Paul M Johnstone

www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

As a new speaker just starting out, or a self taught public speaker or presenter, you don’t like to pause because you hate the silence that can descend on your audience.  You are concerned by the ‘dead’ feeling silence, speakers often associate with silence.

You have probably heard a speaker give their presentation and rush through it, with hardly a pause for breath.  The result is normally you don’t remember anything that was said.

The truth is your audience only start listening when you stop talking!

What?    

All of us process what has just been said during the pause.  It allows our brains to make sense of the words and file them in our memory.  Think back to any conversation you have had.  There is information then there are pauses.  This is so everyone in the conversation has time to digest what has been said, filter it and react to it.

There is a phrase that many public speakers use, ‘Pause till it hurts’.  This refers to the uneasy feeling in your stomach you experience when you think things are not as they should be.  And nothing is more so than your audience of 50 or more people looking at you and you are saying nothing. 

The truth is we all pause to emphasise a point.  Be brave and try it next time you are speaking or presenting.  It would be nice if you let me know how you got on.

If you’d like to improve your public speaking and presentation skills – get in touch!

Please feel free to comment if this tip has helped you, share your own ideas or ask a public speaking question Paul will try to help!

Comments and feedback pleas! Feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. You guys keep me on track and help me improve.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills.  Paul helps people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

©Paul M Johnstone

Public Speaking Tip: Dutch courage - Paul M Johnstone

Eat, Drink And be Merry, For Tomorrow……………

It’s a fact eating and drinking well helps you be a better public speaker!  Specifically, making sure you are well fed – but not over-fed means you have energy and will help you through the event.  Energy levels are important especially when you are on yoru feet speaking too your audience. Public speaking requires some self control.

So eating and drinking well helps you be a better public speaker.

It provides you with energy and helps your speeking voice as you will not feel tight or bloated around your diaphragm, you know the bit that projects your voice!.

Also your throat should be well lubricated. There are lots of ways of ensuring this, and my preference is for a glass of luke warm water, which relaxes the throat. Alcohol and (to some extent tea, coffee and some soft drinks) will make your mouth dry.

One of the worst thing is gassy or carbonated drinks, or worse still is beer! They’ll make you feel bloated and may even cause you to belch!  And it’s best to avoid anything that coats the throat, as this inhibits your speech, milk, chocolate are two I would avoid.

Why is this important?

I’ve already stressed in previous posts the importance of being relaxed when speaking in public.  And being over-full or perhaps just a little drunk can mimic some of the physical discomforts as fear.

Public speaking, especially when you are being paid, require some self discipline… And to be relaxed it's best if you use simple relaxation exrcises rather than alcohol.

Abstain until it is your time to speak…Knock ’em dead with a great speech.

Then chill out and enjoy yourself!  With that hot chocolate or large glass of 12 year old single malt

If you’d like to improve your public speaking and presentation skills – get in touch! 

Comments and feedback pleas! Feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. You guys keep me on track and help me improve.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills.  Paul helps people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

©Paul M Johnstone

Top Three Goals for your Presentation- Paul M Johnstone

Public speaking, presentation skills and presenting with PowerPoint techniques are easy to master and just as easy to get wrong.  Let me know your views on these three easy steps to presenting with PowerPoint. 

True or false

Your PowerPoint presentations are always:-

• Compelling
• Illuminating
• Informative
• Clear, to the point and accepted.

Answer is usually FALSE

Making PowerPoint presentations that are clear, compelling, memorable and even enjoyable is not an art.  Presenting with PowerPoint is a science, and if you follow my top three goals you should get it right every time.  Your presentations will then be clear, enjoyable and memorable.  No more death by PowerPoint or people snoozing through your presentations.  These three goals work because they are based on the way we as humans absorb information, then use it.

First of all you must connect with your audience.   Top error for so many presenters, as they think just because they’re presenting every one else has to listen.   Well people especially business people need to be engaged, then they’ll listen. 

Secondly, your presentations need to be directed at the audience and hold their attention.  I once sat through a presentation on sources of finance, where a lady next to me wrote her ‘To Do’ list during it.  The presenter failed to connect with that lady and the rest of the audience judging by their body language.

Finally you should promote understanding and memory. Now this can be tricky for many business presenters, simply because they expect the audience to take on board everything they tell them.  Both of us know that is not correct.  A piece of jargon entering the vocabulary is edutainment.  This is where an educational message is wrapped up in an entertaining way.

By simply understanding just how people take on information, your presentations will change for the better.  Better for your audience, after all it’s the audience we are presenting for.  Better for your message clarity, it will be easier for the audience to understand it. Better for long term retention, your audience will retain information longer.

You may have guessed by now that these three principals shift the emphasis away from you the presenter, to the important people, the audience.   As a presenter you should be the medium not the message.  Entertainers are different as they are building their brand.  You want to get your message across in a way that is clear, simple and to the point. 

Keep checking back for more detailed insight into these three goals in the coming week.

Comments and feedback pleas! Feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. You guys keep me on track and help me improve.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional Communicator, Speaker, Executive Coach and PowerPoint Guru!  He works with companies, organisations and individuals, helping them improve their communication skills.  Paul helps people want to speak and present more effectively, to improve their personal and professional success. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

©Paul M Johnstone