World Champion Evaluator » General

Video is not a speech

john — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:39:45 +0000

Got an email in my inbox this morning from the International President of Toastmasters:

A few things strike me, but the main thing is that web-based videos are not speeches. This message doesn’t work presented this way. If it did, perhaps all of the TED videos would be done like this?

Hockey Stories

john — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:43:07 +0000

Among the changes that Shanahan has implemented, one stands out as a radical departure from the professional sports league status quo. Every time the NHL hands down a suspension–there have been 32 suspensions thus far–Shanahan records a short, explanatory video that the NHL shares with players, team staff and fans.

http://www.commoncraft.com/guest-post-what-communicators-can-learn-highsticking-penalty

Think About Someone Else

john — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:28:43 +0000

Think about your audience, not yourself, and you can overcome your public speaking fears.

http://lifehacker.com/5876273/

Your voice will give you away

john — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:44:24 +0000

From Seth:

It’s extremely difficult to read a speech and sound as if you mean it.

For most of us, when reading, posture changes, the throat tightens and people can tell. Reading is different from speaking, and a different sort of attention is paid.

Before you give a speech, then, you must do one of two things if your goal is to persuade:

Learn to read the same way you speak (unlikely)

or, learn to speak without reading. Learn your message well enough that you can communicate it without reading it. We want your humanity.

If you can’t do that, don’t bother giving a speech. Just send everyone a memo and save time and stress for all concerned.

Daria Tells a Story

john — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:27:58 +0000

Local Radio celebrity and storyteller Daria tells us some stories of her past:

http://backfencepdx.com/2011/12/16/portland-radio-host-favorite-daria-tells-of-her-teen-past/

A Great Question

john — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:43:25 +0000

What makes a great question?

Ask yourself
Disturbs your status quo
Scares you a little

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/12/qa.html

Give More Speeches

john — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:28:43 +0000

Some great advice from Seth:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/12/insulate-yourself.html

I especially like “Seek out uncomfortable situations” since reading The Flinch.

Um

john — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:32:20 +0000

I found a use for the word “um.” I was playing a game of words with friends, and the word “um” worked very well for me. I did feel a little guilt as I placed the tiles, but it soon, um, faded.

More Guts

john — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:19:48 +0000

More time on the problem isn’t the way. More guts is. When you expose yourself to the opportunities that scare you, you create something scarce, something others won’t do.

Seth Godin

You’re not supposed to know the Lone Ranger’s name

john — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:02:08 +0000

Just found a really interesting interview with David Brooks, the 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking, where he says:

There I was, one of the top nine speakers in all of Toastmasters in 1990, preparing for the World Championship. As I practiced my speech in front of speakers who had not attained such lofty credentials, one beginning Toastmaster wrote a comment in a post-speech evaluation. She simply wrote “I really liked when you said ‘You’re not supposed to know the Lone Ranger’s name.’” Well, when I read that note I instantly reacted defensively: “That’s not what I said.” But in a flash it hit me… “It’s not what I said, but it’s better!” I am grateful that I was smart enough and humble enough to acknowledge a better idea, without regard to the inexperience of the source. From that I learned “Keep your eyes and your ears and your mind open; you never know when a teacher will appear.”

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/09/david-brooks-interview/