Are you good at Public Speaking?

avatar33

avatar33

e-Hustler
Dec 5, 2009
3,838
52
48
Calgary, AB
Prolly not, right? Since we all spend more time online than offline. :stonedsmilie:

Watch the video in the middle of this article (can't embed it cuz it's not a YouTube)... it's one of the best SEO presentations I've ever seen: #RCS, YouTube, and Being Helpful: An Interview with Wil Reynolds | SEOmoz

I honestly consider Wil Reynolds to be the best speaker in the SEO world. Not only is the content great, but there is not a single moment in his presentation where you get bored.

When is the last time you had to give a presentation? Do you like public speaking or does it make you anxious? Do you think it's an innate skill or something anybody can develop?

Disqus

EDIT: Funny how at the end of the video Rand Fish challenges Wil to a one-on-one. I'd like to see that. I don't think they're the same caliber at all.
 


IceToEskimos said:
debating != public speaking
Click to expand...

HI ice

437557159_177222.gif
 
To learn about public speaking check out Toastmasters.

They have some great groups Find a Club - Toastmasters International around the country. Challenge is to find one where you mesh with the other participants.

Since most guys here are younger don't be afraid to walk in a room with a bunch of older guys. They love 'fresh' blood in the group and as a side bonus, depending on group/area are the networking opportunities since most of these folks are business guys trying to get over the fear of public speaking.

To become excellent at public speaking study what comedians do and participate in some comedy workshops. Improv stuff is great for this. If you can make people smile and get them to engage with you, every presentation you hold will be a success. It will take a while til you have it down but once you do... it's SO worth it!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUO-pWJ0riQ"]TEDxVictoria - Dave Morris: The Way of Improvisation - YouTube[/ame]
 
Yeah, I thought I was going to do stand up for a while. After a couple of particularly bad sets where every joke fell flat, people were talking, etc you gain a new thicker skin. I can run a room pretty well now, at least no one is throwing anything at me is the mantra I've adopted.
 
Enigmabomb said:
Yeah, I thought I was going to do stand up for a while. After a couple of particularly bad sets where every joke fell flat, people were talking, etc you gain a new thicker skin. I can run a room pretty well now, at least no one is throwing anything at me is the mantra I've adopted.
Click to expand...

That feeling when you suck all the energy out of a room. I love it. Stand up is so different from doing improv, debating, regular public speaking etc. I'd recommend most people give it a shot at least once or twice just for the experience.
 
avatar33 said:
Prolly not, right? Since we all spend more time online than offline. :stonedsmilie:

Watch the video in the middle of this article (can't embed it cuz it's not a YouTube)... it's one of the best SEO presentations I've ever seen: #RCS, YouTube, and Being Helpful: An Interview with Wil Reynolds | SEOmoz

I honestly consider Wil Reynolds to be the best speaker in the SEO world. Not only is the content great, but there is not a single moment in his presentation where you get bored.

When is the last time you had to give a presentation? Do you like public speaking or does it make you anxious? Do you think it's an innate skill or something anybody can develop?

Disqus

EDIT: Funny how at the end of the video Rand Fish challenges Wil to a one-on-one. I'd like to see that. I don't think they're the same caliber at all.
Click to expand...

Wil is pretty good. Who else do you recommended ?
 
Start talking to strangers. Get past the point where you feel uncomfortable engaging a complete stranger in conversation. The do it some more. Eventually you get to the point of being able to talk to anyone anywhere. Then start small. Look for local clubs and meet ups and volunteer to do a presentation. Most great speakers follow a basic script and give the same talk over and over. They know it inside and out. They know it so well they welcome improv just to mix it up, keeping it fresh for them.

And just remember. Public speaking is not much different than talking to a stranger. Just have a conversation with your audience.

Pro tip. Look just over the heads of your audience to avoid that feeling that they see through your bullshit
 
dmnEPC said:
Start talking to strangers. Get past the point where you feel uncomfortable engaging a complete stranger in conversation. The do it some more. Eventually you get to the point of being able to talk to anyone anywhere. Then start small. Look for local clubs and meet ups and volunteer to do a presentation. Most great speakers follow a basic script and give the same talk over and over. They know it inside and out. They know it so well they welcome improv just to mix it up, keeping it fresh for them.

And just remember. Public speaking is not much different than talking to a stranger. Just have a conversation with your audience.

Pro tip. Look just over the heads of your audience to avoid that feeling that they see through your bullshit
Click to expand...

This. The guys who are all "master communicators" have just practiced it a ton... They will talk to everyone 24/7.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom