Deleted
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May 20, 2024 10:08:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 22:39:42 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed.
I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents...
How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often?
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Post by KikiPea on May 1, 2015 22:41:33 GMT
NO. I HATE speaking to groups/crowds...HATE it. I have done it before, even sang solos in front of large groups, but it makes me SO nervous, people can see me shake. I even shook so bad at my own wedding that one of the groomsmen mentioned it, and a couple of ribbons in my bouquet shook loose! ETA: I told my testimony at church and the podium shook the whole time.
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 10:08:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 22:42:50 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed. I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents... How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often? See if there is a toastmaster's club near you. That way you have a place to do public speaking so you can improve. It is one of those skills you have to keep doing to keep the skills sharp. Even people who are naturally good at it will have bad days if they go long periods without needing to make a presentation.
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Post by gar on May 1, 2015 22:42:57 GMT
I had to, once, I hated every millisecond of it with a passion I barely knew I could muster. I must have come across like a gibbering idiot because I could barely speak. I will endeavour to never repeat the process in my entire life.
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Post by woodysbetty on May 1, 2015 22:46:19 GMT
I'm not a comfortable public speaker but I get through it by writing out my speech, practicing it then breaking it down so I can glance at it as reminder but to stop me from reading it verbatim.....
That said, it really depends on what and to whom I'm presenting as to my comfort level. The more I identify with the topic the easier for me to prepare and deliver.......
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on May 1, 2015 22:49:33 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed. I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents... How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often? I'm pretty good, but I think that it's all about the practice. If I know what I'm going to say and really know my subject it goes much better.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
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Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on May 1, 2015 22:50:34 GMT
No but my oldest to DD is. She even gave the eulogy at her Dad's funeral and ten years later people still mention what an outstanding job she did. She says she does much better if she doesn't make notes and just wings it. Public speaking scares the shit out of me
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Post by 3dcrafter on May 1, 2015 22:53:14 GMT
so-so...
small crowd of people I know, I do fine. Large crowds and/or people I don't know, I tend to stumble.
I would be open to taking classes to improve though.
Maybe they have classes at a nearby college or library that could help you improve?
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Post by shescrafty on May 1, 2015 23:13:30 GMT
I think I am ok. I teach so getting up in front of people and talking is not bad. My biggest audience was at a regional stampin up conference where I presented in front of a few hundred people
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 10:08:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 23:16:21 GMT
My father is the best on earth. He really is. Me, the worst. They dropped me on my head when i was young and I have never been good at anything other than languages .
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peabay
Prolific Pea
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on May 1, 2015 23:31:32 GMT
Rehearse. Then rehearse again. Then rehearse some more.
Write out a script. Read it several times in front of a mirror. Then reduce it down to bullet points (so you're not tempted to just read it off the script) and practice it again. And again.
I'm a good public speaker but only because I took a course on it and that was what we were taught - you can't practice enough. And the teacher was right. It's helped me tremendously.
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Post by scrappysurfer on May 1, 2015 23:32:09 GMT
I can be if I practice enough. I once gave the opening presentation at a cancer research conference, that was my largest audience at about 150 people. In graduate school I gave weekly presentations to my lab group and yearly competitions that I always won.
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Gravity
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Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on May 1, 2015 23:36:22 GMT
No but my oldest to DD is. She even gave the eulogy at her Dad's funeral and ten years later people still mention what an outstanding job she did. She says she does much better if she doesn't make notes and just wings it. Public speaking scares the shit out of me Public speaking scares the shit out of me too.
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perumbula
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Jun 26, 2014 18:51:17 GMT
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Post by perumbula on May 2, 2015 0:14:49 GMT
I participated in speech and debate tournaments in high school so for many years I was a good public speaker. I remember my speeches were so good for my Girls' State tryouts that they threw out the paper applications entirely because mine was quite lack luster and they wanted me to go. I was 1st rep. I stayed good at public speaking through most of my 20s when I was young and confident that I knew what I was talking about and could speak with authority I didn't have. LOL. Now that I'm in my 40s I'm not so hot anymore. I haven't had much practice at it, only speaking once every couple of years at church, and that unquestioning confidence that comes with youth has disappeared. The older I get the more I realize I don't know and the more I want to learn from others rather than try to teach people anything. But yeah, if you want to get better practice is the way to go. I've known people who have joined Toastmasters because they wanted to be better speakers and it really helped them a lot. It gave them poise in front of a crowd and an understanding that the worst that can happen in a speech is you might be boring.
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 10:08:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 0:20:45 GMT
I agree that Toastmasters would be a great opportunity to practice your skills. And rehearsal is key. I bet you did just fine (we are our own worst critics)!
I have had quite a bit of public speaking training and I speak in a variety of situations, some of which are dealing with a contensious crowd. For whatever the warped reason, I am the least nervous and most calm when I speak to them. Last time I spoke, we had 15 company representatives and I was the only one to present and ended up fielding all the questions. I've often had comments that I am believable and trustworthy, which I think is from knowing my subject matter, reading people/crowds well, and engaging with the crowd.
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Post by epeanymous on May 2, 2015 0:23:47 GMT
I am. That's what I do. I was a high school speech and debate and college debate person, and then I was a trial lawyer for a living until I started teaching law school. I give everything from legal presentations to national judge conferences to last year's graduation speech. I love it, although even after all of these years, I get nervous if I am going to be speaking in front of a lot of people I know (strangers, no problem).
My best tip for great public speaking is to prepare thoroughly, but then speak extemporaneously. You will have an outline of points you want to make, and maybe some specific lines you want to deliver, but I think the most effective public speaking is in-the-moment and spontaneous. Some of the most quotable things I've said, for better or worse, have been thoughts I had while speaking and let myself say out loud, because I was so present in the moment and had something to say. I also feel much more relaxed speaking in public when I don't feel like I have lines to flub or stumble over.
If you are active in a church or other similar organization, that could be a good way to volunteer for a position that would get you up in front of people. I personally have never found practicing in front of friends or family members helpful -- I feel awkward.
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~Susan~
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You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
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Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on May 2, 2015 0:25:17 GMT
Public speaking scares the shit out of me Yep, me too! I do think I am better at it than I used to be, but I still avoid it.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
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Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on May 2, 2015 0:25:37 GMT
I could speak to 100,000 people at once, and be ok. Maybe a little nervous but I could do it.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on May 2, 2015 0:37:37 GMT
I talk to the exit sign at the back of the room, not looking at any people and not looking at the floor or ceiling.
Practise a lot in front of the mirror in the bathroom.
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Post by cmpeter on May 2, 2015 0:37:51 GMT
I was in drama and student council in high school and the debate all through college. I don't have any problems giving presentations at work. I agree with the suggestion to prepare extensively and speak extemporaneously. Feeling comfortable with your subject matter is key for me. I met DH on the debate team and both our kids are great public speakers.
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Post by bc2ca on May 2, 2015 0:40:54 GMT
My last job involved making presentations to employee groups, including executives. After my first presentation with the company, the COO asked my VP HR if I could create a program to train senior managers on presentation skills. Know your script and practices, practice, practice including recording yourself are my biggest tips for improving presentation skills.
While at university I was the TA for the lab portion of a public speaking/presentations class where all we did was make short presentations that were recorded on videotape. Lots of great, immediate feedback and the ability to watch yourself really does improve your skill.
ETA know your script does not mean reading a memorized piece, but be comfortable enough not to get flustered and lost when speaking
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Post by hop2 on May 2, 2015 0:55:56 GMT
No,I tear up at even benign things when public speaking.
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Post by kellybelly77 on May 2, 2015 1:09:45 GMT
I have been told so! I love to talk in general and am pretty extroverted so I usually feel pretty comfortable in front of people. At our annual meeting in December I spoke to all the supervisors, about 100 people, and on the survey afterwards they all liked my spiel. And it was on work comp so to make that interesting I think is pretty good sign!
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Post by kellybelly77 on May 2, 2015 1:13:18 GMT
My best tip for great public speaking is to prepare thoroughly, but then speak extemporaneously. You will have an outline of points you want to make, and maybe some specific lines you want to deliver, but I think the most effective public speaking is in-the-moment and spontaneous. Some of the most quotable things I've said, for better or worse, have been thoughts I had while speaking and let myself say out loud, because I was so present in the moment and had something to say. I also feel much more relaxed speaking in public when I don't feel like I have lines to flub or stumble over. I think this is a great tip! The last occasion I spoke to all facility staff, I didn't prepare anything! I hate feeling tied to a powerpoint. My coworker was astonished that I could get up in front of everyone and not prepare any notes but when you know the subject speaking about it just comes naturally and your audience can read that.
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Post by jenjie on May 2, 2015 1:28:02 GMT
I never thought I would be but I really enjoy it. I went from knocking knees giving a two minute announcement to giving a 40 minute talk in front of 100 with no anxiety at the podium. I don't get opportunities that often and it really needs to be something I am strongly believe in. I don't know how I would do if I was given a topic and told this is what you need to speak on. I spend a lot of time preparing my speech and a lot of time practicing.
I was thinking about this the other day. Scrapbooking, actually the journalingo, helped me get started putting my thoughts on paper. Since then I've written a few articles and spoken several times.
We had someone videotape us for the benefit our church held for us last month. Dh read a thank you and I shared some of what we have seen of God in the middle of our circumstances. A few people told me later that they could see me being a public speaker.
I have read a lot of blog posts on improving public speaking. But for me I think it's not so much about any special ability. It's my passion to speak life, whether it's on a platform or teaching or facilitating a group, or sitting one on one over a cup of coffee or across keyboards. I look for teaching opportunities in everything. If I screw up or get screwed over, if I learn something beneficial is this something that I can use later to help somebody else?
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Post by 950nancy on May 2, 2015 1:36:43 GMT
If my audience is ten year olds, I can rock it!
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Post by dillydally on May 2, 2015 2:39:33 GMT
Interesting timing. My 13 year old ds had a presentation yesterday and he said it was awful. He said his face got red (kids told him, not just that he felt it) and he was talking so fast without breathing that he almost hyperventilated. So we were talking about strategies for next time and were trying to think of ways he could get practice. I am going to make a note of some of the ides mentioned here - including practicing at home! DH and I didn't even know he had a presentation until that morning when he was dressed in khakis and a button down for school.
As for myself, I hate it. I have a benign tremor, so I shake a little. It generally isn't too noticeable, but if I get nervous it is very obvious. Which makes me more nervous. So I avoid it like the plague.
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Post by gmcwife1 on May 2, 2015 3:14:00 GMT
I was asked to speak at a small gathering of corporate people and while it went okay, I wasn't entirely comfortable and I know it showed. I used to teach Scrapbooking classes locally and at large conventions without problems...I've wrangled scout groups and their parents... How do you improve as a public speaker when it's not something you get to do very often? I'm not a great public speaker, but I do ok and I know what to do and what not to do. As far as improving, I teach and judge youth speaking and I write it out and practice. Both my dd and I are shy but we've both done 4-H which requires a public presentation each year. She actually enjoys giving speeches and gets very high marks on her's. She knows to use her visual aids as prompts and that her audience doesn't know what she planned to say just what she does say. That has helped her get over her nervousness. She also used to practice in the mirror and to the dogs.
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Post by ptamom on May 2, 2015 3:16:56 GMT
I'm not very good at giving a prepared speech. No matter how much I practice, it is never enough to memorize it without following notes. And I get nervous and stumble over the words.
But in the last few years, I found that I am pretty good at Q and A in a situation with a hostile audience. I never thought that this would be a skill I possessed.
Facing an audience that comes into the discussion not believing what I'm "selling", I'm pretty good at making my point clearly and believably, and swaying people my way.
So, I'm a much better "Off the Cuff" public speaker, than a prepared speech maker.
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Post by Karmady on May 2, 2015 3:32:08 GMT
I hated it for the longest time. I couldn't even make a presentation in university to my seminar group without shaking and turning red. Now I make presentations pretty much every day in classrooms and to community groups. It really doesn't bother me very much as long as I'm well prepared.
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