Three Ways Forward for your Professional Speaking

1) What on Earth Would I Say?

Two examples of places to start - two examples that I found in UK’s popular newspaper the Daily Mail which has to be taken with a big pinch of salt and can be criticised on many political aspects yet usually finds human interest stories way before other newspapers.

A range of sources can be a good for a speaker - you might politically disagree as I do on many policies with the DM but you will get the view point of a different section of society and as they shoot from the hip you get emotive reporting about issues that some more “serious” newspapers don’t cover.

So to add to you bank of ways to talk and what to talk about -

1) Aaron Stark, 44, from Denver, Colorado, who in his childhood said he endured “the kind of stuff they make horror movies about” which led to a whole range of negative behaviours culminating in the desire to become a school mass shooter. He tells his story in a compelling way that any student speaker can learn from and it makes it a story worth reading especially as he explains how one person’s intervention changed his mind.

Knowing what makes people tick can be a great asset to your speaking journey.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12834371/Man-school-shooter-abuse.html

2) Another DM story so don’t be offended (I didn’t like Brexit either) - ten year old Yuanyuan, from?Zhejiang province, China urges father to be “kind” because he came home from work in a “bad mood.”

This child’s short speech filled with pregnant pauses again leads the way in honing in on relevance, simplicity and the right moment.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12832299/Moment-little-girl-lectures-father-bringing-anger-home-winning-tho

2) Stages of Today are Different

In our busy times when engagement and attention are the most important commodity, it always pays to know more about the details of speaking.

Last week whilst padding around in Linkedin I came across an interesting extract from a longer podcast from the founder of the world's leading experiential concierge firm, Steve Sims .

Sims from the UK is most often seen in a black T shirt with a big white goatee beard who with his gruff voice has utilized a talent for connecting people. His specialty is organising get togethers and bespoke events for his client list of the world's rich and famous. In other words he is all about making things happen.

In the extract Sims was talking with a Google Ads expert Kasim Aslam and in a fascinating conversation you can pick up lots of gems about how people get paid to speak.

One point was that your audience wants to be “solved not sold to” - a point which goes into what makes a good talk in that you are being the solution to someone else’s problem.

Speaking enhances your business and your career.

The tip I most resonated with because it is what I teach my clients is that as a speaker it is your job to do promotion for an event. In fact, according to Sims you should be doing more promotion than even the event does itself.

Oh yes, that is why I keep reminding you to use Linkedin to find and create your eco-system of connections, not to mention that you need an email list.

So main point, “Shine some love” on your event as you are not just a speaker but part of the event’s marketing strategy.

Watch the whole interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObpWQ5omDdA

3) Transforming Your Audience

Hang on tight to your dreams for those bad days where you can’t find the end of the sticky tape.

If you aren’t moving forward on your secret-close-to-the-heart projects then use the time to reach out to the people in your life that you sense are up to some good in the world and need a boost.

This can be taking a moment to see if you can re-share a post that they have written.

Simple? Stupidly simple and so much so that people don’t do it.

If you are feeling really short on bandwidth then simply share - it is a step up from a mere “like.”

What I encourage you to do, dear Stage Presence Centrallers, is take a bit of a step further and say “I”m sharing this because_____.” That bit after the "because" is what makes you who you are and gives you a space to practice your communication skills.

That bit after “because” is where you begin to define your likes and tastes.

It is where you shine extra light on your colleague.

This is where you wrangle through adjectives like “fantastic”, “great”, “brilliant” and try to find something more original which will attract attention.

Don’t be mean - be generous with your friend and colleague and thus with your readers.

Don’t be bland in your love.

Sing it out.

It takes a bit of practice but your boldness will increase.

Your passion for your world will begin to show.

Does that make sense? I welcome your questions, comments and experiences either in a comment here or email me at [email protected]

Deborah Claire Procter

P.S. This edition of Stage Presence Central Linkedin newsletter was drawn from three consecutive emails to my Stage Presence Central email list where I share daily - or almost daily - emails all about the art of communication. Message me if you want to come abroad because communicating better is something that is important to you.

N.B. no website yet but it is on the cards for 2024 - you can see more about me in my very overgrown website www.clearinsight.co.uk