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.

Lessons learnt from CASA Acapella Summit Part 1

Last month, I attended the Acapella Summit with a group of music lovers. And in one of the workshops, they taught singers about stage presence. And interestingly, I found these tips very applicable to speakers too. Here's what I have jot down. Let me share with you the first three.

1. Find the floor and ground yourself

How many times have you found yourself distracted by speakers that keep pacing around aimlessly? Instead of focusing on their speech, you wonder where the speaker will be heading next (literally!) And as an audience, this action is associated with nervous ness and lack of confidence. Hardly traits you want to be associated with, which explains the importance of finding a spot to ground yourself. Pyschologically, you will create a sense of stability to your audience. And from that spot, you can start exploring the stage. (Another topic altogether). So the next time you give your speech, watch how you flutter around the stage!

2. Three Seconds Rule

The speaker shared about how singers will stroll onto stage and get ready. For example, making small talks or doing mike test, drinking water etc. And she mentioned that singers should be INTIMATE IMMEDIATELY! No time to waste. How true! That's the reason why I would recommend speakers to go to their speaking venues an hour earlier. Get yourself prep up. Test the mike (if you use one). Try standing on the stage. Try walking around. Coz when you get on stage, there is NO time to be ready! You have 3 seconds to create an impression. And I presume you want to make a good one! So go on stage and jump right into your speech. Start with an attention grabber that will engage your audience immediately. You have only three seconds to prove yourself. Shine!

3. Don't close your eyes

OK I will explain. Know how some singers will get so self absorbed in themselves (or their song). They will close their eyes and sing, like what Witney Houston always does. Here's the thing. You aren't a super star so stop tempting fate by breaking contact with your audience.

This underscores the importance of engaging your audience ALL THE TIME. Eye contact is just one way to do so. But do remember that whatever that you do in your speech, you should always engage the audience. They are a jealous and insecure bunch of people. It starts with the message. Is your message applicable to them? Are they able to relate to your story? Then your body language. Are you distracting them or are you adding omph into your speech? Things like that. Never ever lose your audience. Read what Tom has to say about brainstoppers. See April 7 post. Definitely an excellent way to break the connection with your beloved audience. :)

Improving your Public Speaking Skills: Part III

(Blogger's Note: I apologize for such a long delay. It has been quite a busy (and exciting) week for me. Continue watching the space!)

The Third A: APPLY!

Now for the final step! *Pause for dramatic effect* (Like one week of silence isn't enough...)

APPLY APPLY APPLY! That's right. It is a simple step. Experts have said it repeatedly. You find them in books, blogs and lately e-books too. As you may have realized, this is no secret. But here's the thing. How many of us really put this into practice? Now this is what separates the real experts from the amateurs. Real experts practice non-stop. They find every occasion to hone their speaking skills. As we all may have heard it: Practice makes Permanence. If you want to keep your present skills, you gotta keep practicing else they will just be skills you USED TO HAVE.

Recall the two As I mentioned in the last two entries?

1. Awareness - Be aware of your strengths and shortcomings
2. Ask for feedback - Only then will you know what you are good and weak at

Now come the critical A - Apply. Without the third A, all that you have done earlier will be fruitless. Assuming you have followed my advice and gathered all the feedback from your audience, what should you do with them?

Here's what I do. Have a list that describes all of your strengths. For example, "you have high energy", "you always have a great message", "you are able to connect with us very quickly". With this list, think through what you did that caused your audience to list the above as your strengths. This allow you to repeat the good stuff in your future speeches. As time goes (with practice), you will find it effortless to be good in your audience's eyes.

Also come up with a list of areas you can work on. For example, in my case, my audience always find it hard to catch up. I have a lot of energy but I speak too fast, which leaves them gasping for breath at the end of my speech. And I get this feedback a lot. Similarly, you will also find some "weaknesses" that your audience keep bringing up. This is where you want to start. But do not be ambitious! Work on one thing at a time. For example, in my case, I have to learn to slow down. And they are plenty of ways to do so. That's when you can google for help or look up speaking resources.

Remember to concentrate on improving ONE area in every new speech you make. In that way, you can be focused and not be overwhelmed. And then repeat the 2nd step - ask for feedback. Check and see if your audience notices the improvements. In my case, can they catch up? And if you are satisfied, work on your next area. In no time, you will find your lists of strengths growing and your list of "weaknesses" reducing. Sounds good?

And this brings me to the end of the trilogy. Being a good speaker is really easy. Apply the 3As consistently and you will see dramatic improvements in your speaking capabilities. And believe me, this is just the beginning. Test this out and let me know if it works!

Improving your Public Speaking Skills: Part II

The Second A: ASK!

Now that we have appreciated the importance of awareness, what's next? Simple, you ASK for feedback. That will be your second step in deepening your awareness of your public speaking skills. Yet this is a step that most people - read egomaniacs - have problem with. (grins)

If you find yourself reacting strongly or denying, you are one of them! Tear down your defense mechanism for a short while and see if this "know-it-all guy" (that's me!) has something worth listening to. We are all self conscious people and naturally, in our right frame of mind, we would want to be complimented. And this isn't a bad thing. It motivates you. It tells you what your audience likes. But if you plan to tune out to the criticism or suggestions your audience have for you, you are going to lose out in the long run. You will have no idea about your blindspots (see The First A: AWARENESS) and you have deprived yourself from taking your public speaking skills up another level.

So where should you start? Here's something that I use frequently and it works very well for me. Try it for size!

BEFORE YOUR SPEECH
Get 2-3 trusted friends in your audience to evaluate your speech. (If you know no one, then make at least 1-2 friends before you go on stage. It is part of my "Confidence Booster" strategy which I will elaborate in another entry). Tell them that you are working on a few areas. Say slowing down your pace, adding a story, or practising dramatization. Anything. And ask them to be your eyes. Most importantly tell them to be honest. No patronizing (leave it to the rest of your audience). That's why you got to trust them! You can ask for more eyes if you are comfortable. In my opinion, the more the merrier. If possible, find every chance to record your speech. Esp. if it is a humorous speech as you can judge the success by the intensity of laughters by your audience. And if you can videotaped your speech, even better!

And then proceed to do your thing!

AFTER YOUR SPEECH
Ask for feedback from your friends - tell them to be honest and objective. Did you manage to do the things you told them you will do? Did it work for you? How could you improve? How did they feel as an audience?

Ask for feedback from your audience as well. Ask them what they like and do not like about your speech. Tell them to be honest (if you sincerely don't mind). And as they share with you their feedback, you can either take mental notes or jot them down. Here are some of the questions I will ask them. What do you think is my message? Is there anything unique about my speech? How could I improve? From an audience's point of view, do you have any suggestions you have for me? Notice there are no negativity in my questions. Do that. Your audience will be more likely to be honest with you. Coz' a question like "Do you think I have any weakness in my speech?" will often reap patronizing answers like "Of coz not. I love your speech!" And even if they do that, ask them what part of your speech do they like? Or why do they like your speech?

In short, go deep! Collect as much info as you can. This is going to be helpful in your third part when you take ACTION!

What I have shared with you only works if you go in with the mentality of wanting to be a better speaker. It is BS if you think there is nothing you can improve. Even the best speaker in the world can bring his speaking capabilities to greater height. And since you are not, there will always be room for improvement for you. (grins) Question is do you want to be better than your last performance? If so, change your attitude. Be fair to yourself - ask for feedback!