Using Glen Luckman Humor in Speaking

How to Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking

Glen Luckman Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking By Mark Foo K. L.

Can the very thought of giving a speech cause you to break into sweat? Many people, when asked to stand in front of others, can suffer from anxiety in many forms, even panic attacks.

Some studies have concluded that many people are more afraid of public speaking than death!

However, it may be hard to avoid giving some sort of speech in many situations. You may as well sharpen your speaking skills since there are always times when you might have to stand up and speak at community gatherings, business proposals or even family events.

It can be extremely beneficial to learn to speak in front of a crowd. Getting past your fear of public speaking can lead to many benefits like better relationships, a position as a community leader or even a raise at work.

Here are the top five reasons why people fear public speaking:

* Fear of failing
* Lack of confidence
* Feeling vulnerable
* Fear of being judged
* Unpreparedness

It is not an impossible task to conquer your fear of speaking in front of large crowds, although it will certainly take some time and practice.

You can boost your confidence about public speaking by following these tips:

1. Get prepared. Plan out your entire presentation. Visualize your speech being a success as you choose the desired results.

2. Familiarize yourself. Get to know the space where you are going to be speaking. Get to know the seating layout, the staff, the room’s features, the stage and even the microphone.

3. Relieve your nerves. You should be focusing your energy on your speech and not on your nerves as you enter the room. You can relieve your tension just by taking a few deep breaths.

4. Personalize. Imagine that there is just one person there and that you are having a conversation with him or her. This will make your colleagues see your presentation as more personal.

5. Look into your audience eyes. You can create a much stronger connection with the audience by looking them in the eyes. Just like you are speaking directly to each one, make eye contact with one person at a time.

6. Move around. Get out from behind the podium when speaking. The podium could be perceived as a barrier between you and the audience. Move about on stage or stand beside or in front of the podium when speaking.

7. Get to know your audience. Before giving your presentation, research your audience. Knowing more about who is going to be in the audience makes you even better prepared.

8. Think positively. If you are asked questions, stay positive. Whatever you do, don’t fake knowledge if you don’t know an answer. Be honest and tell them you don’t know at this time, but will be sure to find the answer.

9. Accept invitations to speak. No matter how nervous the invitation to speak may make you, always accept the offer. Always remember, practice makes perfect!

10. Get a coach. Have a coach help you sharpen your public speaking skills before the day comes. With the increased confidence you will get from this personal guidance, you will leave your fears behind.

10 Publicity Tips for Professional Speakers

By Joan Stewart

In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging all the media attention? It’s time to start claiming your share. Here are a baker’s dozen of tips that will boost your publicity efforts and help you finally get noticed.

1. Every time you speak before a group, offer to submit a short
summary of your presentation for the group’s newsletter. Don’t forget to send your photo. It gets you in front of those you just spoke to as well as those who missed you the first time around. Many groups also send their newsletters to the media. Be sure the last paragraph tells people what you do and how to get in touch with you.

2. Call the advertising department of every newspaper and magazine you want to get into and ask for a copy of their editorial calendar. It’s a free listing of all the special topics and special sections coming up during the calendar year. It will tip you off to sections where your story idea would be a good fit, so you can query the editor weeks and even months ahead.

3. Call a reporter from your local newspaper and invite her to lunch or coffee. Offer yourself as a resource and Ask “How can I help you?” Feed her tips and story ideas. Become such a valuable source that she keeps coming back to you for more information and eventually writes about you.

4. Consider starting your own television show on your cable TV station’s community access channel. The station will provide the camera equipment for a $20 fee, and you can produce either one show or an entire series of programs. Air time is free. Call your cable company for details.

5. Build a network of other speakers who concentrate on your topic or area of expertise. Agree informally that you will refer reporters to each other whenever the media calls. Often, reporters want more than one source for a story. It’s a chance for all of you to get additional publicity.

6. Whenever someone asks you to write for their ezine or online magazine, visit their web site first and see if they have a resource section where you would be a good fit. Ask to be listed for free, in exchanged for providing an article.

7. If you publish a print newsletter, be generous with free subscriptions for the national and local media. You’ll be amazed how many reporters start calling you for interviews. If you can’t afford to pay people who submit articles for your newsletter, be sure to tell them they will be seen by national media who get your free subscription.

8. Don’t forget newspaper and magazine columnists. They’re always hungry for fresh ideas. Keep in touch with them and feed them ideas regularly.

9. Call local radio talk show hosts and invite them to call on you when other guests cancel. They will be thankful you offered.

10. Write articles for print newsletters. My favorite resource is the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, which lists more than 18,000 newsletters by topic and includes detailed information on the type of audience and subjects covered. Most larger libraries have this resource directory.

Glen Luckman 10 Publicity Tips

Thanks to Glen Luckman

Guidelines For Effective Public Speaking

By: Lee Dobbins

Public speaking is something we cannot avoid in our life. The situation will arise when we are called upon to stand up and speak our minds out. When that situation comes are we ready deliver?

Public speaking is one of the most feared activities in a person’s lifetime. Anxiety and stress will usually attack once you get off your seat and start to speak. Sadly, this fear is the cause of lost promotions, low self esteem, miscommunications and similar situations. But why do some people excel on it? They make it look so easy - I guess through practice one can improve his public speaking skills but in the mean time here are 6 guidelines and questions that you will make your life easier when speaking in public.

Who?

Who are you talking to? Know your audience, their background, values and common interests that may help you in your presentation. If you are speaking to a group of accountants then it will help if you focus your speech on data and statistics, or if you are speaking to a group of teenagers, you should know the latest fashion or in-thing so you can establish rapport and make your speech lighter and simpler.

Knowing your listeners is imperative to a successful speech. It will also help you relax if you know the people who are going to listen to your presentation.

Where?

Knowing the venue and being there early is half the battle. Try to get a feel of the place. Stand on the stage or where ever you are suppose to deliver your speech. Try to visualize your audience listening to your speech.

Check the sound system and the availability of audio-visual aids if you need to use some. Being at the venue early will give you some time to prepare and compose yourself. You can also afford time for a last minute tweaking of your speech.

What?

What do you want to say? What is the speech for? If you are speaking to educate and inform your audience, make sure that you have accurate and updated facts in your presentation. It is not enough that you have prepared and have memorized your speech; you should also know what you are talking about and have made a thorough research about it.

How?

How can you deliver your message across? A sound language skill is not enough to ensure success as a public speaker. Choose your words carefully and be sure to enunciate them. Poor articulation and pronunciation weighs much in evaluating your presentation.

Visual aids are helpful to get your message across. You may use handouts or technical presentations to support your points. But the best visual aids are your facial expressions, hand gestures and body language. When practicing your speech, try to do it in front of a mirror to see how you look

Make sure that you have a solid opening, a good transition and a memorable conclusion.

When?

When is the best time to speak and stop? In communication, words are not the sole means of conveying a message. Your pause and stops also play an important role in delivering your point across.

Know when to start speaking and when to stop. Be aware of how long your speech is and tailor it to suit your audience. If you are speaking to a groups of seventh graders, then chances are their attentions span is shorter than that of a twenty something university student.

Why?

Why should they listen to you? Why were you chosen to speak in public? Determine the reasons why you were picked to deliver a speech. It may be because of your educational background, your work experience or your status in the community. What ever it is, they want something from you. Identify the reason and prepare your speech to answer the audience expectations.

Glen Luckman Guidelines

Placed by Glen Luckman