Most people think of "Seinfeld" as simply one of the best sitcoms of all time. What you may not realize is that "Seinfeld" also provides timeless wisdom about what it takes to be a great speaker. Just look at some of the quirky characters that ventured into Jerry's apartment during the course of nine seasons and you'll see how they can improve your next speech.
Low-Talker ("Seinfeld" speak - A woman who talks so softly no one can hear her.) This is presentation 101, but still many people underestimate the true volume of their voice and they leave their audience behind. If they can't hear you, chances are they're not going to do what you say. How loud should you talk$%: Loud enough so that it sounds slightly higher than a normal conversation to a person sitting in the back row. It will feel like you're shouting, but it will sound great to your audience.
High-Talker (A man who has a peculiarly high-pitched voice.) The high-talker does not take into account his audience's knowledge of the subject and talks above them. His dazzling array of acronyms, in-the-loop jargon and inaccessible references leaves the audience confused and bored. Make sure you spend some time learning about your audience, what they know, what their motivations are and most importantly what they need from you, the speaker.
Close-Talker (A person who stands too close to people when he speaks.) This may sound obvious, but the close-talker's offense is simply invading the personal space of her audience. During a presentation it's perfectly fine to walk around as a way to release some of your nervous energy, but be sure that you don't stand over people as this will put them on the defensive. Put it this way, no one wants to be eye-to-eye with your belt buckle. Always leave a comfortable space between you and your audience--a good rule of thumb is think about how close you want a speaker to stand when you're an audience member.
Bad-Breaker-Upper (A guy who is terrible at breaking up with women.) The bad-breaker-upper is someone who ends a speech on a bad note. The biggest error people make is concluding their presentation with a Q:%$amp;A session. Not good. Q:%$amp;A is important, but due to its unpredictable nature even an excellent presentation can limp to a lackluster finish if the questions turn negative or go off topic. The best way to avoid being a bad-breaker-upper is to have your Q:%$amp;A session as the second to last thing you do. Then give your audience a call-to-action so that they know what they're supposed to do as they leave the room.
Re-Gifter (When someone receives a bad gift and then gives it to someone else.) It's one thing to pass along an unwanted wedding gift to another couple, but it is never permissible to repackage someone else's material, artwork, music or quote without giving them proper credit. Even though business people do this all the time, it's basically stealing. If you want to use the intellectual property of someone else, just be sure to get the creator's permission to avoid any legal tangles. And unless you want to use a song from "American Idol", usage rights don't have to cost an arm or a leg. Bottom line: unless you created it, tell your audience who did.
Double-Dipper (A person who dips a chip into dip, takes a bite and then dips the same chip in the dip a second time.) The double-dipper in the speaking world is someone who over communicates. She is concerned that people won't get what she's saying right away so she uses two, three or four examples too many. If you properly understand your audience and their knowledge base, you'll easily determine how many details and examples they will need to absorb, process and act on the information you're providing. Keep in mind that your presentation should be crisp and brief--saving the heavy details for your handout.
Jimmy Legs (A person whose legs move and shift uncontrollably while sleeping.) When you speak, you're filled with adrenaline and that adrenaline takes the form of nervous energy. That's okay, it happens to everybody. However, if you have the Jimmy Legs or happy feet, you're unconscious movement around the podium can be unsettling and distracting to your audience. The way to overcome Jimmy Legs is to not fight it, but embrace it. Feel free to walk around the room as much as you like, however make sure you know when and where you're moving--make it purposeful. When you feel the need to move, simply lock eyes with an audience member, continue to look at him as you walk, come to an area and stay put for at least 30 seconds.
Remember, public speaking is a challenge for most people, not that there's anything wrong with that. However, if you follow these tips from Jerry and the gang in your next presentation...yadda, yadda, yadda you'll get promoted!
留言列表
