In this issue I’m going to be talking about stories, story telling. And the power it has to igniting your audience’s imagination. And you’ll notice that every good public speaker these days, they use stories to convey their point. And there are three reasons why they do this.
The first reason, number one it’s easy to remember as opposed to memorizing a speech. Have you ever been up there on the stand and you’re thinking, “Man, this is quite difficult. This is very difficult. I’m trying to memorize a speech here and if I just had a story that had a very similar point to the point I’m trying to make in this speech, then that would be so much easier to tell.” Because number one, you’re recalling from memory, it actually happened in the past. And it’s easier to remember that as opposed to just reading or memorizing facts and figures.
The second point is the audience relates to stories far better than listing to facts and figures. They would rather you tell a very personal story that has a point at the end as opposed to going through half an hour of facts and figures and graph charts and pie charts and then making your point. The audience likes to follow stories.
And number three, no one like PowerPoint presentations anymore, so if you do still user PowerPoint presentations I highly recommend you stop. The quickest way to lose an audience is by dimming the lights and turning on that PowerPoint presentation. That is the quickest way to lose an audience.
You have to have faith in your story telling. You have to reveal things. You have to have a little guts to be personal with your audience. And you know what the best stories are? Personal stories, people like to hear personal stories and the insights that that person has experienced. So if you have a very personal insight, something you learned from, something that makes a point at the end that other people in your audience can gain some experience from then tell it.
Now if you don’t have that many stories to recall from I advise you to collect stories. Now it’s very simple to do this. All you have to do is head out and buy a paper, buy a newspaper. Buy one of those media magazines and start a note book or a database to improve your access to the stories that you like. Now once you have a few stories to recollect from learn the characteristics of a good story. So take the time to learn what makes a good story. What makes a story that people can relate to and learn from as opposed just someone blabbing on about their trip yesterday to the Rocky Mountains.
A good story is, number one it’s told well. Number two, the plot involves a transformation. Number three that story teller is sincere; no one likes anyone that isn’t sincere. Number four the story fits the occasion. So if you’re giving a presentation about business communication and why you should communicate with your colleagues and you’re telling a story about your trip with your kids to the fair ground last week, it’s not suitable. People can’t relate to that. It doesn’t fit the occasion.
Number five, the characters come alive. Make the characters come alive by giving them facts and details about the character’s appearance, the way they walk, their habits, give them something to picture in their head. Usually I try and match my characters with movie stars.
So if I’m telling a story about a short stocky fellow with no neck, I will talk about Danny DeVito. And that gives the audience a character to relate it to.
And lastly the story addresses the issues at hand. There has to be a call to action at the end for the audience, and it has to address their issue.
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
Storytelling and Public Speaking - The Power Of Telling Stories In Your Speech
Public Speaking Tips – Why You Should Tell Stories During Your Speech
Storytelling is a powerful medium when it comes to public speaking and you’ll notice that the majority of popular public speakers these days have a series or wide collections of funny and other emotional stories to tell.
Stories that make you laugh, cry, sadden and other emotional feelings are the best stories to tell as it give your audience a roller coaster of emotions. The more emotions they feel the more of a connection and rapport they’ll feel towards you.
I recall at that at one point I told a story about a dear friend of mine who had lost his way when it came to love, he had everything at one point and then gave it all up and now he’s lost, alone and very sad, my story about my dear friend was a long one (not to be repeated here) and I could feel the energy in my seminar room warm towards me after this story.
Its strange and very funny at the same time.
Storytelling in public speaking is considered a norm these days with many public speakers taking up storytelling classes and coaching to gain that sense of rapport with their audience.
Storytelling is an art form and we should be happy of that, as this means the more we practice the craft of storytelling the better we’ll become at it.
I hope you enjoyed this quick article on storytelling in public speaking.
Alex Ryan
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Quick Tips To Becoming A Great Public Speaker ...
Imagine a fancy hotel ballroom brimming with people. Hear the buzz of an audience anticipating a great speech. The speaker arrives and gives a technically competent speech.
The content is perfect but the delivery is plain. There is no fire in the speaker's belly. No conviction in their voice. The speaker lacks passion. Music is not just someone hitting piano keys in the right order. It is the soaring passion of playing music as an expression of the soul.
Think of the greatest speakers you have heard. They may not have been technically perfect, but they had passion.
Why is passion important?
If you do sales presentations, have a passion for your product. At my sales training seminars, I do an exercise where I role-play as a skeptical customer. The salesperson has to convince me why their product is the best.
The salesperson with the most passion - the most conviction - can persuade me to buy. After all, if you don't believe in your product, how can your clients? If you do marketing presentations, have a passion to persuade your listeners. If you do training, do it with the enthusiasm of someone committed to help people grow.
Here are three questions to help you discover your passion:
1. What subject do I love so passionately, I would speak about it for free?
2. What topic do I talk to friends and family members about?
3. Why is it vital for ME to be the one to deliver this message?
These questions focus on the passion that is INSIDE of us. If you fail to be passionate about your message, you cheat your audience. You also deprive yourself of the enthusiasm of feeling truly committed to your life's work.
Finding that perfect topic is like finding the love of your life. It may take time and a few false starts but it is well worth it. Unleash the passion!
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Quick Tips On Starting Your Speech ...
If you are naturally funny, by all means start with a joke. But for most of us, starting with a joke is a poor idea. Why? Because jokes depend upon perfect comedic timing. But, it's difficult to have perfect timing when you are nervous.
Since nervousness usually strikes during the first 60 seconds of your speech, that is the worst time to try a joke. So, what else can you do to grab your audience's attention?
One of the best methods is to recite a startling statistic, famous quote or personal anecdote that relates directly to your speech. Also, if you are using Power Point, you should display this information on your slide.
Here are some tips for using a statistic, famous quote or personal anecdote to start your speech:
1. Statistics: For example, I begin my public speaking workshops by saying, "55% of people are more afraid of giving a speech than dying!" That grabs people's attention and makes them want to learn my technique for dealing with fear of public speaking. So, where can you find startling statistics? One place is the US Government's site at: www.fedstats.gov. For Canada, you can check Statistics Canada at www.statcan.ca/start.html
2. Famous quotes: Here is a great online resource for quotes: www.quotesandsayings.com
3. Personal anecdotes: Here is a secret: start your story in the middle of the action i.e. "I am trapped! Yet another Power Point presentation! My eyes are about to glaze over. I am so bored!" By starting in the middle of the action, and gradually giving more details. you will captivate your audience's attention.
Begin your speeches the simple, easy way. Start your presentation with a startling statistic, famous quote or an interesting anecdote. Grab your audience's attention and set the stage for a great presentation!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Aoki
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- Timing Your Speech - Speaking Overtime Is Okay...
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How To Memorize Your Speech - Quick Public Speaking Tips
In the above video you'll find quick tips on memorizing your speech for the big day!
Memorizing is important however if you OVER-memorize then you'll meet something we call the dreaded monotone voice, where you find yourself just reciting your speech from memory with ZERO emotion.
Audiences hate this and so do I !
Enjoy!
Alex Ryan
Timing Your Speech - Speaking Overtime Is Okay...
Do you ever find you going overtime in your speech?
If so then that's okay and here's why ...
There is a range of arguments out there supporting going overtime when you speak, I always go overtime to ensure my audience gets full value from me.
Another argument is timing is critical in your speech and ensuring you don't go overtime is critical to building respect with your audeince. No audience member appreciates speakers going overtime and it shows disrespect to them and their time.
Alex Ryan
http://www.10PublicSpeakingTips.com
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Quick Tips On Practicing Your Speech ...
Do you find yourself over-rehearsing sometimes?
This this short video is for you and I deal with some simple ways to rehearse your speech before presenting it and WHY it is important for you to practice your speech as much as you can.
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Public Speaking Tips - Dealing With Questions From Your Audience
Are you often overloaded with questions at the end?
Do you sometimes get interrupted by questions while you speak and throws you off track?
If so then this short video will reveal some simple tips on dealing with questions from your audience while giving your public presentation.
Fear of Public Speaking - Why Are You Still Afraid Of Speaking In Public?
Fear of public speaking still grips the majority of speakers to this day. The only difference between a successful speaker and YOU is how THEY handle their fear. Professional speakers look like they're having fun on stage whereas younger public speakers freak and are clueless on how to act.
Enjoy the video!
Alex Ryan
10publicspeakingtips.com
Why You Should Tell Stories In Your Public Speaking Presentation
The above video reveals why you should tell stories to your audience during your public speaking presentation. It is essential that stories be told to establish a connection and emotional bond that your audience can relate to.
You'll find that most dreary public speakers speaking in facts and logic and the more prolific and engaging speakers speak in emotion.
Enjoy the video.
Alex Ryan
10publicspeakingtips.com
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