Comments on: Speech Night!

By: Become an expert in your chosen field …- 7million7years

Become an expert in your chosen field …- 7million7years — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:06:25 +0000

[...] I wrote about how important it is to improve your ‘public speaking’ skills, as that skill alone can give you an incredible edge in your business and/or investing life; Jacob [...]

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:02:14 +0000

How do you get in front of the large companies in the first place?

By: Adrian

Adrian — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:52:23 +0000

@ Rick – I’ve heard about Toastmaster, but have never been to a meeting … although, I have heard good things. I was thinking that a ‘children’s toastmasters’ would also be a great idea, to get them to start young.

Thanks for the two great suggestions: join toastmasters and look for speaking opp’s, say, at your local church.

By: Rick Francis

Rick Francis — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:42:50 +0000

Adrian,

I sound like I need to get a lot more value from my public speaking skills!

For anyone that wants to improve their public speaking skills I have one word: practice, practice, practice!

I’ve been a member of Toastmasters international for a couple years and I’ve seen people improve dramatically by consistantly practicing. I would recommend Toastmasters as a good way to practice because when you make a prepared speech another member evaluates it so that you get immediate feedback.

I also did readings at my church in order to get practice in front of a much larger audience.

-Rick Francis

By: Adrian

Adrian — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:20:38 +0000

@ Mike – If I start singing karaoke it won’t be ME who suffers! )

By: Mike Hunt

Mike Hunt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:12:40 +0000

On karaoke- when I moved to SE Asia I was expected to start the karaoke in front of 200 people as the Managing Director… wasn’t ready for this. I somehow butchered ‘My Way’ and toughed it out. Next year- I was prepared and actually had a good time.

Of course the people will be polite to you no matter how much you suck!

Public speaking certainly gets easier with some practice. I still get a litte nervous before starting but I find that helps me focus on the key points that need to be covered. Once I start I am in the moment and all nervousness evaporates.

-Mike

By: Mike Hunt

Mike Hunt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:09:57 +0000

You may be on to something. Take a look at our president, nobody doubts he is a great speaker! But on the hope & change thing, well- hey, what’s that over here in the corner, did somebody drop a quarter?

-Mike

By: traineeinvestor

traineeinvestor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:33:42 +0000

“When I wanted to get married, my real job began at the first family dinner as I carefully presented myself in the best possible light with (sparingly applied!) carefully chosen anecdotes.”

This sounds like a polite way of saying you lied through yoru teeth! It certainly worked for me

Joking aside, one of the factors which enabled me to considerably lift my job performance and income was learning how to speak well in front of others.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:30:59 +0000

@ Steve – Wow! Going to Sears to practice your selling skills and learning to sing Karaoke … inspirational stuff. Thanks.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:38:57 +0000

Personally, I’ve never really had to do a presentation in front of a crowd. However, try going to the Philippines, and doing Karioki(not sure thats even spelled correctly). They are extremely big on this singing stuff.They expect you to be as well. So, I learned to sing in front of strangers.Well, tried anyway
Selling is an art, that I spend many hours each week to increase my Knowledge.My son and I used to go to Sears ,to the electronic department(and pretend we worked there) . We’d approach strangers, introduce ourselves and begin to sell them on many different items in the store. I think Sears needs to send us a very large check(as we sold a lot of their products)