Coming Soon – Speech Coaching Packages and Products
It’s been quiet for a little while here at Stand Up and Speak. That’s because I’ve been doing some research and development on a really awesome set of products and packages to help you become a better Public Speaker.
This month, I’ll be offering two video courses designed to help you overcome your fear of public speaking, and vastly improve your ability to do thorough research.
But wait, there’s more!
I’ll also be offering a stellar 6-month 1-on-1 coaching package, designed to help you become a better public speaker, no matter what your current level of expertise. This will be a very limited offer, available only to a select few individuals.
I’m very excited to offer these programs. Keep your eye out here for more information to come soon!
Monday Quick Tip: Have Courage
In his latest role, actor Colin Firth portrays King George VI of Great Britain. The king suffered from a rather severe stammer, that hindered his performance when he had to take the stage to speak. In the new film, “The King’s Speech”, Firth shows the King’s struggle to overcome his severe stutter.
In a CBS Interview with Katie Couric, Firth talks about the experience, and reflects upon the remarkable courage of a man who was trying so desperately to learn to communicate. It is an excellent object lesson in the courage it takes to overcome your own fears and obstacles when you take the stage to say something. Check out the interview, after the jump.
… Continue Reading
Monday Quick Tip: Relax
New public speakers often come to the stage carrying every single bit of anxiety along with them. As a result, they come off stiff, stilted, and uncomfortable. As acting uncomfortable is the quickest way to make the audience uncomfortable, it goes without saying that this is a problem.
Veteran public speakers get into a slightly different habit. They start to come off as over-polished, which makes them seem every bit as stiff and awkward as a newbie. Their audiences grow increasingly bored as they hitch on a fake personality and robot-dance their way through yet another presentation.
Regardless of whether you’re a new speaker, or a seasoned veteran of the rostrum, in order to beat the boredom you have to relax.
… Continue Reading
8 Public Speaking Myths…BUSTED!
Over the years, it is likely that you’ve been fed a whole load of nonsense about speaking in public. Things like: “Oh, if you’re nervous, just focus on a point just above your audience’s head. That’ll make it a little easier,” or “bow your head and take a moment to compose yourself before you begin.”
That sort of poison often gets dripped into the ears of public speaking newbies, and those myths persist despite being the sorts of things that can outright sabotage a speaker with enormous potential.
Today at S&S labs, we’re going to bust some of these popular public speaking myths, and show you not just why they’re bad, but what you should do instead. Let’s get started:
… Continue Reading
Monday Quick Tip – Control Your Body
When I titled this blog, I thought of the phrase “Stand Up and Speak” in a more metaphorical sense, as opposed to a specific instruction. Some of my recent coaching, however, has me thinking about just how important it is for a great speaker to be totally in control of her body while on stage.
So much of your presence in a room is dictated by the way you carry yourself. If you’re fumbling, or flailing, or slouching you will fail to make your presence felt. Your audience will almost certainly miss the point of your presentation.
How do you exude charisma and charm? How do you carry yourself in such a way that you draw the room in, and hold their attention throughout? You just need to be in charge of your body.
… Continue Reading
Wrapping it Up – What Makes a Good Conclusion?
“Never, ever end your presentation with the answer to the last question. Always wrap it up!” – Kristin J. Arnold
Kristin Arnold is the president of the National Speaker’s Association, and the author of the fantastic Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve, and Inspire Your Audience to Action
So, how do you go about wrapping things up? What makes for a great conclusion to a presentation or speech?
… Continue Reading
Monday Morning Quick Tip – Practice Deliberately
One of my favorite blogs, The Art of Manliness, has an awesome article today on the importance of practicing deliberately.
While their blog caters primarily to a male audience, it is advice that spans all genders and age groups. It is enormously important that you tackle your challenges with focus and intention.
… Continue Reading
Awesome Articles Abound!
This week there have been some really excellent articles posted all over the web. These are some of my favorites ranging in scope from the practical to the profound. Each of them has something to offer a good public speaker:
- Chris Brogan – Build a Stage for Public Speaking- Chris Brogan does an awesome job talking about how it’s critical that if you wish to be heard, you must build a stage. You have to create a platform for people to hear your message, so that they want to hear more. Great article.
- John Zimmer – A Public Speaker’s Checklist and Addendum- John talks about all of the things that a good public speaker should have handy so as to be well prepared for the disasters that may strike.
- Lach Cotter – Ten Proven Strategies for Decimating Fear is an awesome collection of strategies from very inspiring people about how to overcome the fears and worries that stop you from accomplishing your goals.
- Jack Bennett – How to Deal With Fear: A Counterintuitive Strategy- Jack responds to the language we use when talking about how we deal with fear, and suggests that perhaps instead of a more violent, confrontational language choice, that perhaps we should soften our language, and start considering fear not as the enemy, but as something to be embraced so that we can overcome it on different terms.
- Jodi Sagorin – Saying No To Lame-Sauce and Mediocrity- Jody is setting it down, right here nd right now, if you’re not into bringing only strong-sauce, then you’re wasting time. Her message: Don’t be mediocre. There’s too much adventure waiting to happen.
- Neuromarketing – Six Selling Secrets from Magicians- These tips are directed at sales and marketing, but are equally applicable to presentations and speaking. Learning these strategies will most definitely give you an edge in creating the sort of presentation that commands attention.
- Leo Babauta – Paring Down – Leo’s message is that you need to remove the unnecessary. Great advice for all things.
- Terry Starbucker – The Real Job of Leadership Terry does a great job of talking about the role of a leader as a person of inspiration to others. People who take the stage are, themselves, leaders. It’s important to understand that role as you present to those who wish to hear you speak.
- Jesse Desjardins – You Suck at PowerPoint – Jesse’s slide deck is a rapid riser in the Slideshare “World’s Best Presentation” contest. It’s an excellent description of what to do, and what not to do, when you’re creating a good PowerPoint.
- Jon Thomas – Social Media for Business – Another of my favorite entries in the Slideshare competition, Jon gives a great example of a standalone PowerPoint slide-deck. He puts information together beautifully.
What else have you found this week that was worth sharing? Share it with us in the comments!
How To Be a Good Conversationalist
A couple of months ago on Reddit, one of the redditors expressed a desire to learn to become a better conversationalist. Getting good at having conversations is a key part of becoming good at business, and improving your public speaking. Public speeches are, at their core, a conversation with a broader audience. So, here is my response to the question of how to become better at having conversations:
To be a good conversationalist, you need to be two things:
- Interested.
- Interesting.
Slaying Your Speaking Demons
Fear of Public Speaking takes many forms. Each of the great beasts takes a form that is tailor-made to keep you from saying what needs to be said. These Speaking Demons work tirelessly to make sure that you never take the plunge, get on stage, and speak your piece.
The terrible bestiary of speaking demons is below:
- The Dreadful Drow of Dimwittedness
- The Nasty Nāga of Nonsense
- The Offensive Ogre of Ordinariness
- The Insouciant Incubus of Ineptitude
- The Pesky Pixie of Perfectionism
Like any good video-game boss battle, defeating each demon requires some different strategies:
… Continue Reading
Copyright 2013 Stand Up and Speak - All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Stand Up and Speak, Follow Me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook