How To Write A Powerful Speech Introduction
on Aug 30 in UncategorizedHave you ever wondered how to write a speech introduction that will immediately capture your audience’s interest?
The speech introduction sets up the central idea of the entire speech. It sets the mood and the focus of the crowd to a particular agenda. The introduction should be catchy, amusing, or thought-provoking. No matter what style you use it must grab the interest of the audience.
Failed introductions will often result in setting the tone for a disappointing speech and its very difficult to recover from. Speeches will flow naturally if introductions are pleasantly established. The audience will be ready to give their full attention to what is ahead.
The primary goals of making an introduction are to introduce yourself, your topic, and take hold of the audience’s curiosity and concentration.
It is very important to start things off positively. Introductions are crucial and should be delivered in a powerful manner.
Here are some tips and techniques on how to make a smashing and gripping introduction:
Start with a very controversial statement
Everybody likes controversies. They immediately catch your attention and keep you interested. Controversies are rarely boring and they are great ways to arouse interest from the audience.
An interesting historical fact
If you know a historical fact relevant to your speech topic, include it in your introduction. However, the information must be very interesting or amazing to say the least. Aim for a ‘Wow! Is that true? Did that really happen?’ reaction.
Give an astonishing statistical fact
Lots of people, when given a statistic, will have a surprised reaction because they have not really thought about a particular subject that deeply. Statistics give audience something to visualize and they will be fascinated with the statistical figure you have given.
Example stats like these will surely grab your audience interest:
Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants
100% of all lottery winners gain weight
23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their buttocks.
Of course, you have got to state facts that may be relevant to the topic of your speech.
Humorous anecdote or a hilarious joke
Tell me, who doesn’t like a good laugh? Humor is a powerful tool in public speaking. If you are able to make people laugh from the very start, success for your speech is in the bag.
Humor will create a relaxed atmosphere and relaxed audiences are better listeners. Once your humor is established, the audience will grab to your every word expecting another amusing remark.
Rhetorical question
Rhetorical questions are thought provoking and they are great openers for any topics. They make your audience want to hear the answers to these questions.
Bring a prop
Imagine bringing a peculiar object. Slam it on a table and ask the audience what it is. Make sure it is relevant to your speech topic.
A quotation
This is one of the most common but effective methods nonetheless. Quotations should be inspiring, stimulating, or provocative. They are powerful introduction tools that can bring focus to your speech topic.
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Art Of Speech
on Aug 27 in UncategorizedArt of Speech
Addressing to public, group of persons, meetings on a special subject is called Speech.
Industrialists and businessmen are often invited to speak at meetings. Some meetings, like conferences or seminars, are small and the audience is made up of specialists. Other meetings are large, like the gathering on occasions like an anniversary or an inauguration and the audience is mixed. With increasing awareness of the value of Public Relations in business, most common companies encourage their executives to attend public functions and to appear before the public and to accept invitations to be the chief guest or a speaker at the meetings.
Being able to speak well in an asset in any profession. The success of a speaker depends, to some extent, on personality and the voice; but anyone can be a good speaker with knowledge of the formal aspects of public speaking and by taking the trouble to prepare.
Guidelines for Preparing Speech
Preparation is very important. Even persons who have natural skill at speaking need preparation. It has been said that three secrets of success making in making speech are: Preparation, Preparation and Preparation. The first one is finding out everything possible about the occasion, the organizers, the venue, the time available, the audience and the others speakers and one’s own position in relation to them. The second is deciding exactly what to say, writing down the full text including the opening address and the ending words, with careful attention to vocabulary, style, content suitable for the audience and the occasion. The third is practicing speaking it so that it is delivered in a natural manner when the occasion comes.
Composition of a Speech
A speech like any other composition, has an introduction, a Body and a conclusion . These much used words are still useful for analysis. Each one of them has a definite function and particular methods.
(a) Introduction: During the time when the first two or three sentences are spoken, the audience “sizes up” the speaker, unconsciously judging his personally and adjusting to his voice and manner. To some extent, the speaker’s success at this initial stage depends n personality and voice, but he words also play their part. The functions of the introductory words are :-
(1) To establish rapport, (2) to focus attention and arouse attention.
(b) Focusing Attention: Focusing Attention of the audience on a central point is necessary. A speech cannot be a series of loose, unrelated remarks; there is a central point, however small, in every speech. Attention is must b drawn to this point so that the audience has a line of thought to follow.
(c) The Body: The materials depend on the purpose of the speech. If the purpose is to encourage, it is necessary to elaborate on the value of work, to praise the achievements and express faith in the listener’s ability to do more. A speech meant to inform must be carefully planned according to the subdivisions o the subject.
(d) Conclusion: The function of the closing paragraph is to leave a clear message. If the speech has been informative, a short summary is the best conclusion.
Attention- focusing sentences are useful at this stage as they are at the beginning. A few questions or a quotation can mark the conclusion.
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5 Tips to Become a Motivational Speaker
on Aug 27 in UncategorizedDo you see yourself as a good motivator? Do you like to lift people’s spirits? Do you have a knack for inspiring people by just giving really great advice? If you answered yes to most of these questions, you might consider a career in motivational speaking.
There is something venerable about being a motivational speaker. It signifies mastery over adversity. Being a motivational speaker you should possess a certain amount of wisdom and understanding in the process of overcoming hindrances to any goal. Most of all, a motivational speaker gives people the intangible drive to move forward and initiate change in their lives.
If you want to become a motivational speaker you first need to know that it is a challenging job and there are certain guidelines to go by in order to become a successful motivational speaker.
Assess your experience, education, and ability.
To be a credible and convincing motivational speaker you have to be able to back it up with your own personal experience. You must ask yourself these questions, “Have I experienced great hardship?” “Have I risen above adversity?” or “Did I have an ‘AHA!’ experience that I can effectively share with other people.”
Generally, it is important that you are a battle-tested life warrior; someone who had been down but got back up and succeeded in life. You must see yourself as a successful person. This will give you every right to motivate and preach. After all, you wouldn’t listen to a hobo’s advice, would you?
Next, you must examine your educational credentials. Although not necessary and not as compelling as experience, you should at least have some kind of college education. If you don’t have any, you should be constantly trying improve yourself by getting some additional education and training such as speaking seminars and one on one coaching.
Measure your ability in speaking and motivating. Do you really have the aptitude for motivational speaking? If you believe that you still need further improvement, research your topic and practice in front of the mirror and small crowds.
Find a mentor
This is very important. You have to find someone you can emulate; someone you can draw inspiration from.
It is not necessary to exactly get in contact with this person. Having his/her book or some tapes is sufficient enough but it is always better if you can confer with your mentor. Just be sure that your chosen mentor is an exceptional motivational speaker as well. Aim high, don’t settle for mediocrity.
Learn the Psychology of Motivation
You may have the gift, the experience, and the education but sometimes it might not be enough. You must distinctly comprehend the psychology behind motivation. Knowing it well can give you a much clearer understanding on how to make your audience relate to a certain experience or anecdote you may share.
A definite understanding of the science will help you handle different types of crowds and themes. It can help you handle rebuttals from the audience so it can be beneficial to arm yourself with a bit of psychology.
The importance of being seen as an EXPERT
A good motivational speaker must have an aura of superiority. You must be confident in your message and convey, with conviction, that what you say is the truth.
In this industry, confidence and image is everything. You must dress like a professional. No one will believe you if you lack confidence in your assertions. As a speaker, you are analogous to a performer. You’re the star, put on a great show!
Promote yourself. You’re a business person as well
Motivational speaking is also a lucrative and aggressive business. You have to recognize that you must market and sell yourself effectively to be a successful motivational speaker. What you are selling here is your performance and if you have already put on some worthy gigs you should get endorsements from credible people. They can help take you to the next level.
Additionally, write and publish books. It is a great way to build a reputation and credibility. It’s a great marketing move.
If you are just starting, you must be willing to work for free to get your name out. Volunteer in some clubs, try Toastmasters and other local groups. Start slowly and have patience as you learn the ropes.
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Tips On Public Speaking: Preparation Is Key For Effective Public Speaking
on Aug 26 in UncategorizedWant to learn some proven tips on public speaking? Your number one task is preparing for your presentation. Preparation is to public speaking as location is to property. You can never prepare enough for your talking engagement and your home’s location can never be good enough.
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner with the intention to inform, educate, influence or entertain the listeners. For many people the idea of having to stand in front of people and speak is extremely frightening.
The most important counter measure to overcome this fear, and to be able to confidently present, is to prepare yourself to the maximum of your ability. This is one of the most vital tips on public speaking.
The first point of preparation should focus on obtaining the information and knowledge needed. This refers to the content of your talk. What information do you need to present? How can you ensure that you know far more than your talk will cover to ensure that you are not caught by members of the audience who might end up knowing more than you?
Although having somebody know more than you is not necessarily bad. But it does mean that you have to be extra cautious to be accurate and not allow there to be any question mark as to the validity of the material you are presenting.
It is by virtue of the fact that you have been asked to present, you are perceived to be an expert in this particular topic. You need to be able to substantiate this assumption by the content you offer up. If you slip up on this, your reputation could be damaged quite seriously.
When mapping out your talk into sections and then drilling this content down into relevant slides, you will need to examine each part and ensure that your knowledge base covers these points. It is not enough to know a lot about a section and just hope to be able to wing it for other parts. There are many tips on public speaking, but this one should be remembered and followed at all times.
Your talk will be evaluated on the entire content and how you managed to present the knowledge you have. If you only know some parts about your topic, you will have a problem with being confident when you speak.
You will also find yourself wishing to skip over the sections that you don’t know enough about; and your audience will, in all likelihood, catch on to the fact that you lack knowledge in certain sections.
Better to leave out a section if you are not sure of the content and focus on what you really do know. This could mean that you might need to be more detailed in your talk so that you have more than enough content to present.
It is of course advisable to complete several dry runs of your presentation to feel comfortable with the flow of the talk and to iron out any irregularities. Working through the content by delivering the talk either just to yourself out aloud or to a friend or family member will also provide you with a more accurate idea as to the length of the speech.
It is easy for an audience to get the feel of whether your speech has been thrown together, or whether you have prepared yourself at length. Making sure your content stands up to scrutiny is your first step towards, and one of the most effective tips on, confident public speaking.
Download an amazing FREE report that reveals the simple steps to deliver a dazzling presentation and get a standing ovation every time at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dazzling.htm
Just because you’re talking . . . doesn’t mean I’m listening
on Aug 25 in UncategorizedI may look like I’m listening to you, but don’t count on it. I have a lot on my mind. Bills, kids, work, car problems are all running through my mind and unless I tell you, you simply won’t know. You’ll think I really am listening to you. Maybe we’re on the phone, maybe you’re in my office, and maybe you’re giving a presentation with me in the audience. I’m just on the other side of your words, but like it or not – your words are just not getting through.
Keep in mind that thinking is not necessarily the same as listening. So if the problem is that I’m thinking about something other than what you’re saying, to solve that problem you need to give me some compelling reasons to listen.
Here’s how. As you get ready to talk to me, consider that I’ll only give you my complete attention if you can answer these questions – and the more you answer, the longer I’ll listen:
1. Why should I listen to you in the first place?
2. Why should I keep listening?
3. What do you want me to remember?
4. What do you want me to do?
Of course you don’t need to use these exact words. But if you want me to listen, I need to know what’s in it for me. What will I get out of giving you my undivided attention? That’s it. Otherwise, I’m likely only going to listen to you selectively while I politely tune out your words and think about what’s really important to me. Too bad if it’s not what you have to say.
So think about what’s important to me before you start talking. If you do and I’m convinced of it, I’ll keep listening. It’s that simple.
For more information about ways to keep me (and others) listening, check out “The Presentation Skills Toolkit.” You can even try it out for free at http://www.pstoolkit.com
Dr. Robert Portnoy is a licensed speech pathologist who has been professonally trained to identify and treat discorders of communication. Applying this body of knowledge to the needs of business and personal success, Dr. Portnoy has personally coached hundreds of business professionals to communicate more effectively. Over the years Dr. Portnoy discovered that learning to speak effectively is more about how to connect with your listeners than it is about telling them what you think they should know. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/public-speaking-articles/just-because-youre-talking–doesnt-mean-im-listening-1149773.html
Public Speaking Tips: Master Your Public Speaking Skills By Knowing Your Audience
on Aug 25 in UncategorizedOne of the most critical public speaking tips is to understand your audience. Do your homework by asking the organizers of the events for a breakdown of the audience in terms of gender, age, interest and knowledge levels.
Even if you have spoken at similar events before, do not take a chance on being able to presume who your audience may be.
A recent Flash Developer conference held in Minneapolis made huge waves in the computer community in the USA, spilling over into the rest of the world. This particular conference is called Flashbelt. The name of the event provides a clue as to the type of person who might be attending, as it is held in the bible belt of the USA.
Taking this into account, a speaker from England got it wrong when he didn’t follow one of the most important public speaking tips. He spent his hour discussing rather sexist and lewd content under the topic of graphic design, which did not go down well at all with the audience, sponsors of the event, other speakers and the broader public.
Under normal circumstances, this particular speaker is extremely popular at other Flash conferences and has been able to get away with his sexually explicit images and other bizarre stage activities. The audience has perceived this to be entertaining rather than below the belt.
Except for the audience in Minneapolis. Here there were people from the same field, same computer community, same interest group and discipline. However, the event is being held in a religious area and the normal audience members coming from the immediate area took objection. To the embarrassment of the event organizers, the objections were very intense.
This is a prime example of how important it is to ensure that you’re aware of this public speaking tip – knowing who your audience is. You may imagine that you are speaking to the same kind of people that you have spoken to before.
In this instance, one would imagine the event organizers should have sent out a warning that speakers should show some sensitivity towards their audience. As penalty for this blunder, this particular speaker is not on the lineup of the next big Flash conference in the UK.
Do not presume you know your audience. Make sure you find out as much as possible about your audience, their likes and dislikes, their beliefs and their cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It is well worth doing this kind of research.
Once you have established the profile of your audience in your mind, you will find it easier to prepare your content to be appropriate to these listeners. It is up to you as speaker to ensure that you do not offend or alienate your audience.
This does not mean that you should not challenge your audience to new thinking, if the situation requires it. What it does mean is that you present your material in a way that still makes people think without offending them. This is one of the public speaking tips that must be followed at all times.
Download an amazing FREE report that reveals the simple steps to deliver a dazzling presentation and get a standing ovation every time at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dazzling.htm
