After I gave a talk recently, an audience member approached me to thank me for my presentation and complain how some speakers aren’t really “speakers” although they claim to be and promote themselves as such. What does that mean, exactly? When I probed further, she explained that a lot of people who try to get speaking engagements with a group she sponsors, aren’t very good, although they seem to think otherwise.
Or maybe they just assumed they could get the gig and then wing it! Bad idea.
Speakers have approached at events to tell me they’re inexperienced and weak public speakers, and then they get up on stage and give a great presentation. I’ve also witnessed the opposite, and it’s come to make me realize that people need a way of assessing themselves as speakers, to determine whether or not they need outside help. This is especially necessary for the folks who do need public speaking training but are completely unaware of it!
For all those presenters out there who wish to grow their reputations and their businesses with public speaking, what defines a good public speaker, and how can you test yourself to know whether you’re one of them?
Audience surveys are one way to get a an answer, but the feedback they provide can be limiting. In many cases, there is no survey or the programmer collects the results but doesn’t pass them on to the speaker.
So how do you know whether or not you’re good onstage?
Here are a few suggestions:
1) Video tape yourself giving your signature talk or another presentation. Check your posture, vocal variety, body language, and facial animation. Make sure you’re hitting your speaking points and have a strong call to action at the end of your speech.
2) Find someone that you strongly feel is great at public speaking, (perhaps somebody from your Toastmasters group) and have them come to one of your talks and give you feedback.
3) Attend my free teleclass on Wednesday, April 7th at 2p.m. ET for a more detailed self-assessment tool on your public speaking! I’ll share my self-assessment system with my listeners there.
Please visit http://fearlessdelivery.com/presentationpowerpack and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for the call! No worries if you can’t make the call. Mp3 recordings will be sent to everyone who registers.
Have a great weekend!
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