Public Speaking Information


Feedback


I believe that asking for and acting on objective feedback is the best way to improve your speaking skills. In our Excellence in Speaking Institute (ESI), we call this 20/20 feedback.

Honest, objective feedback helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can enhance the former and repair the latter. Also, looking for the strengths as well as the weaknesses helps make the feedback more balanced and feel less confrontational. You have to use your active listening skills to really hear and internalize the feedback

A course like ESI or ESI-Advanced gives you the best possible feedback. But if you need a quick dose, get a friend with a camcorder to videotape you doing a presentation or two. Then, together go through the videotape to determine your strengths and weaknesses from the checklist below.

- Rambling. Do you have a clear road map of where you are going and do you follow it?

- Monotone. Are you using vocal variety, varying your pitch, tone and volume to keep the presentation interesting?

- Topic Knowledge. Do you have a good grasp of the topic?

- Energy, Passion. Are you pumped up or pooped out?

- Non-Words. Um, do you, uh, throw in a lot of, you know, um, non-words?

- Eye Contact. Do you really look at and connect with the members of the audience?

- Body Language. Do you distract your audience by wandering, fidgeting or pacing?

- Appropriate Material. Do you use profanity or questionable humor?

- Preparation. When it's show time, are you ready for your close-up, or are you winging it?

Get feedback on these items and I guarantee that you will improve your presentation skills. Not only does 20/20 feedback work to help improve speaking skills, it works for companies, too.

Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems (http://www.tyboyd.com), is in the Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Speakers Hall of Fame. He has taught presentation skills to Fortune 1000 executives in more than 40 countries. His Excellence In Speaking Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005.


MORE RESOURCES:

Teens improve public speaking skills at Temple Ambler camp
Montgomery Newspapers
Jules Mermelstein, right, works with kids at his public speaking camp. Photo by THOMAS CELONA By Thomas Celona It ranks right up there with snakes, ...



Council's public-speaking policy retained
Houma Courier
HOUMA — Terrebonne Parish Council members will continue allowing residents multiple opportunities to speak at committee meetings. ...
Terrebonne council retains public-speaking policyDaily Comet (blog)

all 14 news articles »


Toastmasters Clubs are far more than just public speaking They build ...
Westseattleherald.com
Public speaking can be one of the most anxiety-producing activities we engage in, but it is also an essential skill for anyone who wants to assume a ...



Public speaking experts to face off in desert
The Desert Sun
When the world championship of public speaking competition kicks off in a few weeks at the the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, 81 contestants from ...

and more »


Speak Your Truth: Are You a Woman With a Message?
Huffington Post (blog)
Do you have a fear of public speaking? I do. (Yikes!) Even though I am a writer and reporter and have spent plenty of time on stage as a singer and many ...



TODAY'S EVENTS [JULY 28]
Indianapolis Star
Castleton Toastmasters, 7 am Le Peep Restaurant, 8255 Craig St. Nonprofit organization develops public speaking and leadership skills through practice and ...

and more »


Daily Pilot

Corona del Mar's Toastmasters Group Aim To Perfect the Art of Public Speaking
Daily Pilot
It's not just public speaking, but leadership, and organization." The group is part of the international Toastmasters organization, which began in a YMCA in ...



Bristol Palin Thinks She's Better At Public Speaking Than Acting
DimeWars (blog)
Neophyte actress, Bristol Palin says she won't be joining Hollywood circles anytime soon. Despite her debut on ABC Family's 'Secret Life of the American ...

and more »


New Ed. Standards Stress Public Speaking, Probability
WBUR
The new standards for English demand more writing and public speaking of students in the hopes they learn to craft a persuasive argument. ...



Milk Mania Day held at Troy Fair
Towanda Daily Review
She noted that serving in the position allows her to learn public speaking skills and how to interact with the public. Noble said it's been a lifelong dream ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007