Top 10 things to Know about Public Speaking
1. It is not Man’s biggest fear
Man’s biggest fear is rejection…
We can’t help but judge other people. We don’t want other people to judge us. We don’t want to judge ourselves.
Rejection…
A shy dude fears asking out a girl. An employee fears asking the boss for a raise. A Man fears speaking on stage.
Rejection…
So next time you hear, “Public Speaking is mans biggest fear,”
Say, “Actually, I believe Rejection is mans biggest fear, and if he can overcome his fear of rejection, Public Speaking is his biggest asset!”
2. Know what you are selling
It’s you!Literally, Public Speakers are selling themselves like legalized escorts. And just like Escorts, some Public Speakers sell themselves with class, some accept mediorcracy, and others sell themselves like trash, but like my grandma said, “That’s how the cookie crumble’s…”
3. Toastmasters is not going to get you paid
I’ve heard Toastmasters say, “If you win an International Speaking award you are set for life!”
Yes, Toastmasters is great for the resume, and an International Speaking Awards will boost the check book. But, like my friend and highly paid motivational speaker Joe Roberts said, ”Toastmasters is like the first booster on a rocket launch,” he smiled, “It gets you off the ground but once the fuel is burned, you have to shed the wieght.”
The problem with the Toastmasters International “claim to fame” idea…
Each competition has a new set of judges; which is fine, except I’m not sure about the credentials of some of the judges.
Also,
Judging is based on a point system; 1 (being terrible) and up to 15 (being flawless)
What factor determines whether a person scored 12 on body language, or 13????
What about if a judge likes a speaker who stands still vs. using the stage? how do they score that??
I have watched a weak speaker beat out a confident speaker in competition, and I’m not saying that it is impossible to win an International speaking award (one day I will)
I’m saying that when you only have one crack at the speaking competition per year, and the judging criteria is so informal, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Join a speakers association, talk to school’s, prison’s, The Chamber of Commerce, or whatever you have to do. Just don’t leave your fate in the hands of others…
4. Don’t do speeches based on a book you idolize
Want to see your audiences eyes glaze over? Do a book review about how that book changed your life…
As a member of the audience I don’t buy it…
The book did not help you see the light,
What helped you see the light was the series of events that led up to your desire to change; and furthermore, the series of actions you took to find answers.
Reading the book was just one action, and even though the book put into perspective values that you perceived to be true. As a Professional Public Speaker you have to go beyond what has already been done before.
Tell your story…
5. It is wrong if you think, “Those who teach, don’t do,”
Life is not like college. The teachers I look for are the people who have already done!
I plan to make Public speaking and Internet Marketing a long standing career. I believe in the theory, “Do what you preach,” and if you don’t do what you preach but somehow still managed to sell me; whatever, I’ll forget about you in a day, but I’ll remember your actions for life…
6. Always Record Your Speeches
Public Speaking is an art, and at first it was really embarrassing to see myself on tape. My arm often rested across my stomach, I had a twitch in my shoulder. I walked funny.
Now I stand straight, my arms are relaxed and flowing. I make sure to walk right. I would have never of been aware had I not forced myself to watch every speech, and listen to each message admitting mistakes..
I watch many budding speakers who don’t record any speeches, but here is a tip: The pro’s record their speeches, and so should you…
7. Don’t Ramble
Why is it that budding, and also highly paid Professional Public Speakers think EVERYTHING they say is important???
It’s not,
Don’t ramble is another reason why we should always record our speeches. And I know that people get attached to what they say and write, but trim the fat…
8. Talk with confidence
If you have something to say. SAY IT, and if it comes out all wrong…
who cares?!
If you talk with confidence, I (as an audience member) will either agree or disagree with what you are saying.
If you talk with no confidence, I (as a member of the audience) will feel sorry for you, but I’ll also make fun of you.
Wait…
Even if you talk with confidence I will probably heckle you. Behind your back of course…
God I love Public Speaking!
9. It’s not for everybody
What a myth,
Often people say to me, “I’m not like you Devin. I don’t want to talk to anybody when I’m in public,”
I say, “Fair enough, I don’t like to do dishes either, so I don’t, I have a dishwasher, but I’m willing to bet all my money that you are not free of human interaction. We have spouses, family, bosses, and some of us even have friends. Wouldn’t it be great if everybody thought about us… as we think about ourselves?”
You gotta step up to the plate sometime…
Your friends critiques should go like this:
“I think that (your name here if you like) is going to be really great at (career title here.) It’s something he/she has been excited about ever since he/she started (the reason you are going to be great goes here!)”
And if you think your friends want to sabotage your ideas…
Either they are right, or you got to get new friends!
Public Speaking Insight Number 10:
At the end of most every sales meeting the presenter will say something about the importance of making decisions. There will always be an urgent call to action; In fact, I was just at a sales presentation, and before closing the presenter put a quote on the screen,
“Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.” Tony Robbins,
“If you take action now,” the presenter smiled, and it seemed that everybody in the room was sunddenly able to make a decision.
They were all thinking they couldn’t let the moment slip after such a dream charged presentation.
I watched the “Jones” flow like a wave through the crowd. Even the hardest skeptics heard the call, “You cannot afford to miss the boat!”
Sorry people, I missed the boat, but I am happy to be able to make a decision without somebody elses help.
So what is the number 10 thing you should know about Public Speaking?
The Public Speakers who dot their I’s and cross their T’s get rich!!
Sincerely,
Devin Bisanz,
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