You’ve seen it a million times – someone reads a written introduction about a public speaker or business presenter who is about to take the stage. The introduction is written in the third person but it was obviously written by the speaker. This is how public speaking works, right?
Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. I recently listened to an old podcast interview with public speaking expert Fred Miller who offered a formula for a good introduction. Miller believes your introduction should not be your bio. Instead, he said, every speaker introduction should answer these three questions:
> Why this subject? Explain why it’s relevant to your audience.
> Why this speaker? Outline your credentials.
> Why now? Explain why it’s timely.
I believe this formula will allow you as a speaker to have an introduction that has value and perfectly positions the presentation you’re about to give. Conversely, if you can’t answer these three questions, and do so clearly and concisely, you’re not ready to give your presentation.
A great presentation starts with a great introduction.
You’ve finished your presentation and you feel pretty good about how it went. The audience seemed engaged.
“Nothing to work on here,” you tell yourself … on to the next presentation!
Then from out of the blue, someone comments, “great job but the way you kept swaying back and forth nearly made me nauseous.”
What? You sway? You didn’t know that!
It’s often not until something is brought to your attention, that you can then make a change. This is one reason why coaching is valuable. You get an objective view of what you’re doing and the help to make corrections. One of our coaching techniques includes having you video yourself giving a presentation. This recording is not a judgment and it shouldn’t be scary. It’s simply feedback — feedback that will help you grow as a speaker. There is just no denying your idiosyncrasies when they are captured on video. As with any kind of unconscious habit, once you become aware of what you are doing, you can adjust and become better.
Today, it’s easier to record yourself than ever. A powerful video recorder sits in the palm of your hand thanks to advanced cell phone technology. I bought a very simple iPhone stand from Amazon for less than $20. It even comes with a remote so I can start the recording from the stage and let it run. The sound isn’t great but you can hear it. Remember, this is to get feedback; this method is not for recording and publishing your presentation. For that, you will need to upgrade your equipment.
Whether you record yourself using your phone or the event organizers record you and give you a copy, the real secret here is actually watching the footage! Often, I’ll hear that someone has made a recording but never bothered to watch it. Carve out time to watch the recording shortly after you’ve given the presentation so it’s all still fresh in your mind. Watch it, without judgment, all the way through at normal speed. This is your first pass. This will give you an unbiased view of how you sound and look. This used to be all I did until I heard Toastmaster’s World Champion Speaker Mark Brown. As part of his speaking discipline, he watches a video not once, but four times and in four different ways.
This is Mark’s recommendation and one I’ve adopted and encourage my clients to use as well. The process looks like this:
> Step 1: Play the video with your eyes closed and just listen to your remarks.
> Step 2: Watch with the sound off and focus on your gestures.
> Step 3: Watch in slow motion and focus on your facial expressions only.
> Step 4: Watch at normal speed with the volume up.
If you do this, you will uncover any distracting facial tics, gestures, or unnecessary filler words. Even a great presenter (Mark clearly is one!) will get even better by scrutinizing a video of his or her speeches.
Don’t use video as a tool to beat yourself up, use it as a tool to grow! Maybe you’ll find out that you sway from side to side and it’s distracting. That is an easy fix. However, unless you know you’re doing it, you’ll never fix it, and you won’t become the effective speaker you are meant to be.
To take your speaking skills to the next level faster than you thought possible, look into our Personal Coaching Packages.
As an entrepreneur, you have a great story. Do you know how to articulate it in a concise and compelling way?
Join the Scottsdale Neighborhood National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) on March 28 when Phoenix Public Speaking Coach Michele Trent shares:
Why storytelling is powerful and a ‘must have’ for your marketing strategy
The S.T.O.R.Y. Formula – a simple, proven method for constructing your WHY story
Tips to engage your audience even when the story is “all about you”
Non-members are welcome.
Bring your own brown bag lunch. Water and iced-tea will be provided.
I recently teamed up with New York City-based social media expert Dhariana Lozano to offer tips on engaging virtual audiences and hosting effective virtual meetings via speakerphone or webinar.
Dhariana and I presented our tips via Facebook Live. In case you missed it, you can hear the replay by clicking on the button below.
And hey, we’d welcome your suggestions for keeping audiences engaged and running effective virtual meetings. Do you have rules that you use to make virtual meetings run as smooth as possible? Do you favor certain technology products that make meetings more effective? Please leave your ideas in the comments section below.
In today’s fiercely competitive business climate, how well you present yourself can make the difference between getting ahead or going home. Business communication experts Paul Barton and Michele Trent will show you how to deliver like a polished professional in this workshop sponsored by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Participants will discover how to:
> Have an executive presence
> Use your body language to influence and include
> Connect with an audience in the crucial first 90 seconds
> Introduce yourself and make a great first impression
> Present your business card so that you are remembered
> Conclude with a sizzle, not a fizzle
The session will be held at the Better Business Bureau, 1010 E Missouri Ave. in Phoenix, on Thursday, May 16. Check-in and deli-style lunch are at 11:30 a.m. The workshop is from noon to 2 p.m.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Use discount code PAUL at checkout and receive 20% off.
These workshops sell out quickly so you best be signing up now!