Lessons Learnt from CASA Acapella Summit Part 2

I am back with more pointers on how to be a better speaker, straight from the CASA Acapella Summit.

4. Focus on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses
This is pretty much a reiteration of my post on the importance of awareness. Click here Know your strengths. Perfect them. Know your weaknesses. Cover them with your strengths. But I have a question: Should a speaker stick to one style (that he/she is known for) or experiment new styles? (Will tell you more when I get some answers)

5. PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENCE!!!
One of the reasons why people get stage fright is because of the lack of practice. And there are two aspects of practice. One form of practice is the rehearsal. Doing it over and over again until you can do it effortlessly. This is when you can start improvising on stage since you know your stuff very well. Another aspect of practice is speaking as often as you can. At all occasions, be it to a big crowd or a small crowd. This will definitely give you all the brownie points you need. Remember, practice makes permanence.

6. Music happens where there are no notes. Magic happens when there are no words.
The first line was by the music director, which inspired the the second line. No words = Pauses. I always have a problem of speaking TOO fast. Nervousness probably. But I realise that having pauses in your speech not only give your audience resting space, it also creates suspense. Pauses is one of the mechanics behind humor by the way. So watch yourself. See if you can insert pauses in your speech. Before your punchline. Before your main point. Try that. Coz that's when magic happens.