Do this every time you speak

 You will have received lots of tips and guidance on how to improve your speaking and presenting skills. However there is one I recommend above all other tips, techniques and tricks. 

You will know by now there are a lot of ways to become a more effective presenter. The one I'm going to share with you today is absolutely critical. This technique will elevate your presenting way beyond anything else you do!  

In fact you will never get past a certain point in your presentation effectiveness unless you do it. If you use it, you will improve - no matter how good you are right now.

This is a three part technique, and like anything with three parts, miss one out and it fells wrong.  Like your holiday, it’s got to have a great hotel, a great resort and appropriate weather.  Miss one and somehow you fell let down or unfulfilled.

Part one: Record yourself every chance you get. This could be at a Networking group, Chamber of Commerce, a school parents association, or your local interest group.  In fact, you should do this anywhere where you express your thoughts or opinions.  Starts by using a voice recorder, many smart phones have the facility, or you can pick up an inexpensive digital audio recorder.  Every time you speak, switch it on and have it in front of you so it picks up everything you say.

Part two: Once you have become familiar with the sound of your own voice and at easy with your digital audio recorder, start to video every talk you give.  And yes Chamber events, Women’s Institute talks, Networking meetings, everywhere you speak, tape it.

Part three:  Review each and every recording so you can plan your way forward.  You know about learning from your mistakes, well this is a great way to check what you have done, and where you see improvements can be made – Make them.   

A quick note : A lot of people do Step One only. This process will ONLY work effectively if you do Steps Two and Three.

Having the right equipment will help and you can no pick up a Digital audio recorder for about £50:00 and most of us will have a camcorder of one sort or another.  If you can use an HD version it will help, because it will pick up more of the facial nuances you may not be aware of.  And as the advert goes “every little helps”

Feedback is one of the most important tools you have. And you should ask for it at every opportunity. Here is an offer when you start doing this send me a link to your talk and I will review it and send you a detailed review.

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

Know your Audience, Public Speaking ~ Paul M Johnstone

Whenever I get a booking to speak, I always ask the following questions of the meeting organiser.  This is because the more I about the audience, the better I can tailor my speech.  Once you know their profile you are half way there.  This is a great way of preparing for your presentation and helps overcome the fear of public speaking that is those who are still a little nervous.

Here are the questions I currently ask: You may of course have your own parameters that are important for you.

The first set are about the venue and will give you a much better idea of what to expect.

• Where is the venue?
• Is there parking?
• Do I have preparation time at the venue? (changing space etcetera)
• IS the venue lager enough to require the use of a microphone? 
• Can you visit the venue beforehand?
• Are there any known issues with the venue? (poor sight lines, iffy acoustics, uncomfortable seating)

The next questions relate to the event itself.

• What sort of event is it? (Seminar, exhibition, Training day, Networking event, After Dinner, discovery day, team building etcetera)
• What topic do you want?
• How many people are expected?
• What are their responsibilities?
• Why Are they coming?
• Are their partners invited?
• How much of the event is business and how much social?
• What is the average age?
• And what are the age ranges?
• Are there any non English speakers attending?
• If so what's the percentage?
• What is the male/female ratio?

Here are a couple of questions are about where in the programme you will be.  You will be surprised that the position and timing of your slot can make a huge difference on your audiences reaction to your presentation. If you get the graveyard slot, that's the one straight after lunch, you will need to prepare for your audience who are still digesting their food and may not have the highest levels of concentration!

• What slot do I have?(if you get the graveyard slot you need to know in advance)

•  And who am I following and what is their topic?

• Who is on after I speak, and what is their topic? (You might get a great audience profile, but be doomed to failure because of the program schedule)

I started to formulate these questions when I was in the corporate world, where missing anything in your presentation could be a lot more damaging to your career than just about anything else.

On accepting the engagement, these questions are repeated on the pre-program questionnaire. This may seem like overkill but you are being rewarded for your efforts, you want to be remembered as a quality speaker who delivers professionally and does what it says on the tin.  That way you are more likely to get repeat work and recommendations from your audience for other jobs.

You will want as many levels of verification as you can get, so that
I know what I am getting into. Some people use a scoring chat which may well help you.  I prefer to listen to the answers and where appropriate ask supplementary questions in order to form my opinion. However I always have a set of criteria I look for which is event dependant. 

You’ll discover over time which events and topics that work for you.  Assessing possible work is not a science it’s an art.  You will quickly get used to what to listen out for and which events work for you. 

I would love to hear from you and I am interested in your comments.  So please leave your remarks once you have read this blog, Thank You

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/ he can also be reached at http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk

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.

How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear- Part 5

Welcome to the final part in this report on Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

Public speaking is a common source of stress for most people. 

So how do we overcome this irrational fear? 

In this final section of overcoming the fear of public speaking you’ll learn about over practicing and why the audience want you to succeed. 

We’ll review the previous four sections and give you some of the hidden causes of Glossophobia (the fear of public speaking)

Key 9--The More You Practice, the Worse You Get

Preparation falls into two areas, one marked good and the other marked bad.   Lets start with the bad one first.  This is something I used to do when I started out networking.  I had 60 seconds to fill every week and I took advice and wrote my 60 seconds every week.  Then I tried to learn them off by heart, spending hours rehearsing my speech.  Getting tongue tied and the moment I stood up I forgot what I had spent hours trying to remember.   

You are not trained actors so why try and learn your lines?  And because you are not trained to memorise scripts you get it wrong.  So stop trying.  

Now to the good preparation:  Usually I read a lot about my subject, or the subject I am speaking about.  This is not in the days before I present, I do it weeks in advance so the general information has time to sink in.  That’s all you need.

Understand your subject, and you can speak about your subject.

Many people believe you can over prepare your presentation.  All that does is send you back into the bad old habits – you know the ones we are working with you to eliminate.   

Much of what we have shared over the past four instalments can reappear.  You can end up focusing on the wrong part of your presentation, trying to get everyone to like you, memorising it line by line and packing too much into your allotted time. 

I’m sure there is a law about the more you worry over something the more likely it is to happen.  

On the other hand, if you know your subject well, or if you've spoken about it many times before, you may only need a few minutes to prepare sufficiently. 

The main point here is that you know your subject.  As a subject matter expert you should know all about printing if you are a printer. You’ll know all about plants if you are a gardener, or all about video cameras if you are a videographer.  All you might need is to remind yourself of the three key points you want to make, along with some good examples and supporting facts and: Lights, Camera Action – You’re ready for the spotlight

Now I spend enough time working on the topic especially when it’s one that is associated with what I do, teaching people to speak, so I know and understand as much as I can.  What I never do is Practice, practice and practice the speech.  

As we have covered earlier it is detrimental more often than it is beneficial. Also if you are word perfect through constant practice, and you are not a trained actor.  You forget where to place the emphasise and it can all get a bit monotone and dull.   

Over preparation usually means you either don't know your subject or you do, but you don’t have confident in your ability to talk about it in public. 

If you don’t know your subject you’ll need to do some research.  If its your lack of confidence you need to learn to let your  natural ability to speak come through.   The only way to do this is to put yourself in the spotlight, and do it.  Remember what we said earlier in this series.  Once you have learned how to present properly, every opportunity you get top speak in public you get better.

Go out and grab every opportunity you can to speak.  Speak on your subject in public, to small groups to colleagues. Offer to speak free, just to get the experience.  If you have something of value to tell others, keep getting in front of people and deliver it. In no time at all, you'll get all the confidence you ever dreamed of.

Key 10--Your Audience Wants You to Succeed

The last Key to remember is that your audience wants you to succeed. 

They do it’s not a myth people really want you to succeed. 

This is mainly due to the fact your audience has a fear of public speaking, and they admire you for getting up there and doing it. They know the risks they believe you are taking every time you present yourself in public. They feel for you. They will be on your side, no matter what happens.

What does this mean for you the speaker?  Well most audiences are in forgiving mode all the time. While a slip of the tongue might feel like a catastrophe to you, most of the time it goes completely unnoticed by your audience.  

Because they want you to succeed, their judgement of you will be much kinder and far more lenient than yours will ever be. Remember to remind yourself of this point, every time you think you've  not done well.

You know one of the great things about learning to speak in public.  Once you have mastered the skill, every time you have an opportunity to speak in public, you just get better.  So keep at it and you will soon be seen as the expert people want to pay to listen to, Enjoy the journey.

Review Of the Hidden Causes Of Public Speaking Stress

Here I have listed for you in one place all the hidden causes of stress in speaking in public.  

A.   Thinking that public speaking is inherently stressful (it's not).

B.   Believing you have to be brilliant to succeed (you don't).

C.  Packing too much information or having too many points in a presentation.(please don’t)

D.  Presenting the wrong purpose (give before you receive).

E.   Trying to please all the people all the time(get real – you can’t).

F.    Trying to be someone else rather than simply being yourself (the first part is hard the second real simple).

G.  Forgetting humility.( do what it says on the tin)

H.  Having fear of negative outcomes (they almost never happen - when they do, turn them to your advantage).

I.     Focusing on others behaviour (if you can’t control in why focus on it?).

J.     Over practicing (work on your own confidence and trust in your own ability to succeed).

K.  Believing your audience are your harshest critic.(they never are)

By eliminating these hidden causes you another step closer to banishing the fear of public speaking

And here once more are the headlines for the 10 keys that will unlock your door to becoming a presenter and public speaker.

Review of the 10 Keys Please Keep Them In Mind

Key 1--Speaking in Public is not Inherently Stressful

Key 2--You don’t have to be perfect to Succeed

Key 3--All You Need are the Main Points

Key 4—Have a Purpose a real purpose

Key 5—You succeed when you’re not a Public Speaker!

Key 6--Humility and Humour Go a Long Way

Key 7--Nothing Bad Can Ever Happen!

Key 8—Tips on managing your Audience

Key 9--The More You Practice, the Worse You get

Key 10--Your Audience Wants You to Succeed

Review of 10 Keys - Keep these in Mind

That's all there is to it. Just look for these eleven hidden causes and keep the ten corresponding principles in mind.

Of course, you will need to practice. It's extremely easy to forget the ten keys. So keep reviewing them.   

What is the best way to practice? Go out and speak in public. Join a local Speakers Club, http://www.the-asc.org.uk/  Or try a Toastmasters Group http://www.toastmasters.org/.  I have a preference tor the association of speakers clubs format, and the fact they are based in the UK, but there may not be one near you.

You can visit my own web site  www.PMJohnstone.co.uk where you can access my public speaking tips which are delivered to your in-box every working day. 

Just keep seizing the speaking opportunities and in no time at all, your skill, confidence, and natural ability will shine through.

Please take a look at  www.paradigmshakers.co.uk for a newsletter on business tips which has a large section on presenting and public speaking.  

Finally, if you get up in front of a group and find this stressful, it only means you forgot what public speaking is all about. At that time go back and review this series.  Check out where you went wrong or what you didn't remember. Then armed with the knowledge people want you to succeed, go back out and speak again.  As people we all learn by our mistakes and I made lots without this information so you should be far better prepared than I ever was.  It may take a while , but the long-term rewards will be impressive.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of tips and techniques for overcoming the fear of public speaking.  Please feel free to comment on this blog.  If you have any questions please mail them to me at

Paul Johnstone is a Speaker, Trainer and Paradigm Shaker. Founder of The Paradigm Shakers and a Subject Matter Expert.

Providers of Thought Provoking Training

Delivered by Subject Matter Experts

Check out the free speaking tips at The Paradigm Shakers

http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/

P.S I always appreciate feed back and comments and new followers!

©Paul Johnstone

How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear Part 4

Welcome to to part 4 of this special Report on Overcoming the fear of public speaking. 

Public speaking is a common source of stress for most people.

So how do we overcome this irrational fear?

In part 4 of this series on overcoming the fear of public speaking Fact: - Public speaking is a common source of stress for most people.

So how do we overcome this irrational fear?

In this section you will learn how nothing bad ever happens to speakers and how you can easily handle any comments from your audience 

Key 7--Nothing "Bad" Can Ever Happen!

One thing that adds to the fear of public speaking is the dread people have that something awful, terrible, or publicly humiliating will happen to them.

What if I pass out from nervous exhaustion? What if I forget everything I intended to say and am left standing there, totally speechless? What if the audience hates me and begins throwing things at me?

What if they all get up and leave after the first ten minutes? What if they snipe at me with harsh questions or comments once I'm done? What if someone in the audience tries to turn the group against me?

Even when they do, it's useful to have a strategy in mind that has them turn out perfect. Sound difficult? It's not really.

These could be embarrassing if they occurred. Fortunately, most of them don't happen.  This is an irrational fear of failure, and believe me you won’t fail.

I've found that most of the "negative" things that happen when I'm speaking can be handled by keeping this one simple, but powerful, principle in mind: 

everything that happens can be used to my advantage.

If people get up and start to head for the door, I can stop what I'm doing and ask for feedback. Was there something about my topic, my style, or my manner of presentation that was offensive to them? Were they simply in the wrong room at the start and didn't know it? Did someone misinform them about the presentation topic?

No matter what they tell me, by stopping to deal with this situation, honestly and humbly, will often score points with my remaining audience. It also will give me the opportunity to learn how I am affecting people, so I can make any corrections that might be needed.

Even if everyone walked out and refused to give me a reason, I could ultimately find ways to benefit from this experience. At the very least, I could use it as the opening for my next presentation. "You know, I gave this same presentation the other day and everyone in the audience walked out in the first ten minutes. That's my current record, so I guess we'll just have to see what happens today."

The same principle is used for dealing with hecklers or people who ask harsh questions. If you assume that nothing truly bad can ever happen when you're speaking, you'll be amazed how well you can relate to such events and how often you can indeed use them to your advantage.

And once you've successfully used this principle many times, your anxiety about public speaking will have almost disappeared. You'll know it will be virtually impossible for anything "bad" to happen to you,  And you will be armed with the knowledge you’ll be able to handle whatever comes your way. That is a very comforting thought.

Key 8--Some quick tips on Managing Your Audience

To succeed as a public speaker, you don't have to control the behaviour of your audience. There are certain things you do need to control--your own thoughts, your preparation, arrangements for audio-visual aids, how the room is laid out--but one thing you don't have to control is your audience. They will do whatever they do, and whatever they do will usually be "perfect."

If people are fidgety or restless, don't try to control this. If someone is talking to a neighbour, or reading the newspaper, or falling asleep, leave them alone. If people look like they aren't paying attention, refrain from chastising them. Unless someone is being intentionally disruptive, there is very little you need to control.

Thinking you need to change or control other people is a hidden cause of stress in many areas of life. This is just as true for relating to a group as it is for relating to your friends, spouse, children, or other acquaintances.

The fifth and final part of this series on Overcoming the fear of public speaking will be published in the next day or two. So check back for the last part of this report on overcoming the fear of public speaking. You can get this sent to your RSS reader by subscribing to this blog.

Paul Johnstone is a Speaker, Trainer and Paradigm Shaker. Founder of The Paradigm Shakers and a Subject Matter Expert.

Providers of Thought Provoking Training

Delivered by Subject Matter Experts

Check out the free speaking tips at The Paradigm Shakers

http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/

P.S I always appreciate feed back and comments and new followers!

©Paul Johnstone

How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear Part 3

I believe it was Franklin D Roosevelt President of the USA who said of public speaking. Be Sincere: Be Brief: Be Seated. Sound advice especially when you are starting out.  Especially be sincere.

Your irrational fear of public speaking and presenting can be overcome and we are now at the half way point in this series. ‘Overcoming The Fear of Public Speaking’.

In this section you will learn all how to look at what you do from the audiences point of view.  You’ll also understand why and how to use humour and the power of humility.  

Key 5 - You succeed when you're not a Public Speaker!

Ok that looks a contradictory staement but it's not - It's about perception.  Are you a speaker?  I suggest you should ask this.  This is because one of the best way to succeed as a public speaker is not to consider yourself a public speaker.

Do you agree with that?  

You may have set or, hold unrealistic views of what successful public speakers do.

You may assume that to be successful, you have to bring certain idealistic qualities you just don’t have.

As a consequence, you may struggle to emulate those personal characteristics of other speakers.  And all the time you believe (wrongly ) these characteristics are responsible for their success.

In other words, you try to be someone you’re not! You try to be a public speaker or a presenter whatever that image means to you.

The truth about public speaking is that most successful speakers got that way by doing the opposite! They didn't try to be somebody else. They just gave themselves permission to be themselves.  And they did that in front of other people. And much to their surprise, they discovered how much fun they could have doing something most other people dread.

The secret, then, to their success is that they didn't try to become public speakers!

You can give yourself permission to do the very same thing. No matter what type of person we are, or what skills and talents you possess, you can stand up in front of others and be yourself.

Once you are comfortable being yourself you will be far more likely to love to speak in public. Why? Because it's one of the few times you give yourself permission to fully be yourself in the presence of others.

You can be bold, compassionate, silly, informative, helpful, and witty.  In-fact anything you want to be.  As long as you’re delivering with purpose and from the heart you can de pretty much what you want anything else that feels natural in the moment.  You can also experiment and see what works best with audiences.  A great truism in life is “we all learn from our mistakes”

As a result, you’ll make much better contact with your audience.  You won't fall into the trap of droning on and on about some uninteresting subject. You’ll feel alive, energized, fully invested in everything you say and do.

When you really get good at being yourself in front of others, you can even stand up in front of a group of people without any idea how you're going to get across your three main points.

And you know what when you get practiced at this? People in the audience often come up to you afterward and say, "you were great, I wish I had the confidence to give public talks like you."

That's the wrong way to think. Don't try to give talks the way I do, or the way anyone else does. Just go out there, armed with your knowledge and a three key points, and be yourself. Everything else will usually work out. It might take a few times to nail it. But after a while, you'll settle into your own successful ways of delivering that will be all yours and no one else's.

Key 6--Humility and Humour Go a Long Way

While most will eventually find their style, certain techniques can be used by almost everyone. The top two are humility and humour.  Both can go a long way to making your presentations more enjoyable and entertaining for your audience.

Humour is well understood by most of us, so little needs to be said about it here. If being humorous feels comfortable for you, or if it fits your speaking situation, go for it. It usually works, even if you don't do it perfectly.  However a word of caution, check it’s appropriate to your audience.

Over to humility which can take some time to fully understand.  By humility, I mean standing up in front of others and sharing some of your own human frailties, weaknesses, and mistakes. If you are comfortable with that, then you should use it as it will win audiences over.

We all have weaknesses, you know, and when you stand up in front of others and show that you're not afraid to admit yours.  Some can be turned into humour and others show you care. It’s then you create a safe, intimate climate where others can acknowledge their personal shortcomings as well.

Being humble in front of others makes you more credible, more believable, and paradoxically more respected. People can connect with you more easily.  

When you show humility, you become "one of them" instead of a remote expert on stage. No longer are you head and shoulders above them (which you really aren't). It also sets a tone of honesty and self-acceptance, which people often recognize in themselves.

Don't try to do this, however, if it's not authentic for you. True humility is easily distinguished from the pretence of acting humble. If you pretend, your audience will perceive this and lose respect for you. I can never remember who said “when you can fake sincerity you’ve got it made.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Try that and an audience will see straight trough you.

Trying to fake humility will harm you.  There is a naff saying “Fake it till you make it.” which similar and fraught with danger.  Because what you are saying is Lie till you get it right. And that is no way to proceed.

Often, humour and humility can be combined very effectively. Telling humorous stories about yourself, or using your own personal failings to demonstrate some point you are trying to make, can be both entertaining and illuminating.

For example, if you get nervous when you stand up to speak in front of a group, or if you suddenly feel nervous during the middle of your presentation, don't hide this fact from your audience, they can tell anyway. Be real--and humble--by acknowledging your fear openly and honestly. Ask your audience for forgiveness while you take a few moments to collect yourself.

When this happened to me, I used to stop and look at the audience and tell them.  “I’m sorry folks I feel really nervous this evening I hope you will be gentle with me?”

Or, you can start your presentation with a humorous story that produces the same effect. For example, I've seen speakers begin their presentation s by using an old schoolboy line. "What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shakes all over?" Answer: a nervous wreck! It can be endearing sand helps relieve speaking anxiety.

The fourth part of this series on Overcoming the fear of public speaking will be published in the next day or two. So check back for the forth piece in this series on overcoming the fear of public speaking. You can get this sent to your RSS reader by subscribing to this blog.

Paul Johnstone is a Speaker, Trainer and Paradigm Shaker. Founder of The Paradigm Shakers and a Subject Matter Expert.

Providers of Thought Provoking Training

Delivered by Subject Matter Experts

Check out the free speaking tips at The Paradigm Shakers

http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/

P.S I always appreciate feed back and comments and new followers!

©Paul Johnstone

How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear - Part 2

This is the Second part in this series on Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking 

Fact: - Public speaking is a common source of stress for most people.

In this section you will learn all about the power of three and why your purpose is invaluable to you. 

If you want to grow our business or enrich your careers, speaking is one of the quickest ways to achieve that goal.  

The truth about public speaking, however, Does Not Have To Be Stressful!

Fact: - Public speaking is a common source of stress for most people. 

So how do we overcome this irrational fear? 

In this section you will learn all about the power of three and why your purpose is invaluable to you. 

 

If you want to grow our business or enrich your careers, speaking is one of the quickest ways to achieve that goal.  The truth about public speaking, however, Does Not Have To Be Stressful! 

Key 3--All You Need are the Main Points

You don't have to deliver a ton of data or minute details to give your audience what they truly want. Actually if you deliver facts and figures it often turns people off.

Many studies have shown that 

people remember very few of the facts or information speakers deliver!  Most of what they remember comes from how you deliver and not the words you use.  

While you may choose to include lots of facts and information, you only need to make three main points to have your presentation viewed a success. You can even have your whole talk be about only one key point, if you wish.

When I first began presenting I wasn't aware of this simple principle. So many times I decided my audience wanted, no needed the encyclopaedia Britannica from me.  And as you have guessed I just didn't have. So I tried to research my topic thoroughly and deliver as much worldly wisdom as possible.

By the time the presentation arrived I was shattered.  And the annoying thing – often I forgot to mention stuff I had spent hours cramming for.   Last and by no means least it bored the backsides of my audience.  One person later told me during an earlier presentation he had solved a business problem by thinking it through. A real vote of confidence!

As time went on, thankfully I learned that all this complexity wasn't needed. More than that, it wasn’t wanted.   As a result, my notes got shorter and my slides simpler (more of that later).

Through preparation and knowing my subject I got most presentations down to a half page of A4.  This just contained a couple of reminders and the headlines for my three mail points.   

As long as I focused on three key points, I was able to speak at length about them by naturally drawing upon my past experiences and knowledge.

Remember, all your audience wants from you is to walk away with your three key points that will make a difference to them. The aim of any presenter or speaker is to achieve knowledge transfer.  That’s one of the points to keep in mind.  

If you structure your presentations to deliver this result, you can avoid what isn't wanted. You are now free to concentrate on what your audience expect.   This also makes your job as a presenter much easier, and much. Much more fun!

But Why three?

Because people remember things better in threes.  You have a six digit phone number and most of you will probably remember it 234 675.  Politicians always use threes; remember Education, Education, Education.   Your mind finds it easier to hold on to facts in threes which is why politicians use that technique so often.

Key 4--Have a Purpose A real purpose

This principle is very important, so now is the time to pay attention! 

A mistake people make when they present is they have the wrong purpose in mind. Often, they have no specific purpose.  Ask yourself why you would talk to an audience with no outcome in mind.  This can lead to people wandering of their topic, then your subconscious kicks in and you forget why you are there.   All this does is cause a whole lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.

That is so important. let’s say it again.  When you present you need purpose or a reason to be successful.  

This is a prime example of what is called a "hidden cause" of public speaking stress. 

Many presenters believe when they start out that their purpose is to get everyone in the audience to like them.  Least ways approve of them.  In the mistaken belief that this was what good public speakers do. They are not consciously aware of this purpose.  Many people don’t recognise how foolish it is.  Moreover, just how detrimental to their presentation this is.

Because of this hidden purpose, new presenters feel the needed to be absolutely perfect and brilliant.  They have to be cause that’s how the great presenters are – Right!   

They just want to win the audience's unanimous approval, every time. 

When you start out you may think that if just one person in the audience disapproved you’ve lost! If one person left early, if anyone fell asleep, or if someone looked bored in what you’re saying you are no good!

All this does is raise anxiety levels!

Once you become aware of this stress-producing purpose, you are able to look at it honestly and realize how foolish it was. How many public speakers get 100% approval from their audiences? The answer is Nil!

The truth about public speaking is no matter how good a job you do someone is going to disapprove of either you or your argument.  

That is just human nature. In a large group of people, there will always be a difference of opinions, and reactions. Some will be positive, others will be neutral and some may be negative.

There is no rhyme or reason to it. If you do an awful job, some people will sympathize with you and feel for you.  At the same time others will criticize you harshly. When you do a fantastic job, someone will resent your ability and might disapprove of you on that basis alone. Some people will leave early because of an emergency. Some will fall asleep because they were up all night taking care of an elderly parent. So, it's foolish and unrealistic to attempt to please all the people, all of the time.

More importantly, it's the wrong purpose in the first place.

Remember, the essence of public speaking is to give your audience something of value. The operative phrase here is Give before you receive! 

The purpose of public speaking is not for you to get something (approval, fame, respect, sales, clients, etc.) from your audience. It is to give something useful to your audience.

Yes, if you do this well, you'll gain notoriety, respect, sales, and possibly new clients. You will be seen as an expert in your field.  But this should never be your motivating force. If you focus on giving as much as you can to your audience, you will then be aligned with the truth about public speaking. You’ll also avoid one of the biggest pitfalls that cause people to experience public speaking - anxiety.

But how do you add value?  You should by now understand to present you need to know your subject. Have a reason to be presenting, your purpose. Adding value is straight forward. Give your audience a little extra information. Some more detail.  Point them at an independent resource.  Give them a take away or get them asking thought provoking questions. 

There are many, many ways to add value to your presentation.  There will be a whole section on workshop and presentation extras on the web site www.paradigmshakers.co.uk shortly.  So why not pop along and take a look.

The third part of this series on Overcoming the fear of public speaking will be published in the next day or two. So check back for the third piece in this series on overcoming the fear of public speaking. You can get this sent to your RSS reader by subscribing to this blog.

In that section we will deal with humour a powerful ally of any speaker and how you look at yourself when you are learning to speak.

Paul Johnstone is a Speaker, Trainer and Paradigm Shaker. Founder of The Paradigm Shakers and a Subject Matter Expert.

Providers of Thought Provoking Training - Delivered by Subject Matter Experts

Check out the free speaking tips at The Paradigm Shakers

http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/

P.S I always appreciate feed back and comments and new followers!

©Paul Johnstone