We spoke in the last newsletter about presentation skills and have just
received a wonderful letter from Terry Carling. I thought
you'd enjoy his letter, unedited.
"I had somehow volunteered myself to be MC at my children's school for
its 21st Anniversary on the 24th and for a Formal Blessing and Opening
Ceremony on Sunday the 25th.
I was getting more apprehensive as the months were getting closer. They
were such important events for Good Shepherd Primary School. I not only
didn't want to make a fool of myself but felt the organising committee,
school community Principal and staff were dependent upon me.
And although beginning to get as nervous as hell; especially after the
committee chairperson told me they had sent out 240 official invites
for the Sunday and we could expect up to 800 parents and children as
well; I did not want to decline the challenge because I felt this could
have a big impression on my life.
So as you both know, I enrolled in your course ... ("How to feel
confident and sound interesting in front of an audience"). It was one
of the best things I could have done!! The second, and I feel equally
important was to purchase the audio-tapes.
Armed with the masses of information, tips and advice I tackled writing
the speeches. I practised in the paddock (field) with an old microphone
with only 10 chooks (chickens) for an audience - well we only have 9
now because one left after my first effort! Seriously - FOUR times I
practised on the chooks and twice with my wife and two children.
I listened to your two sets of communication tapes once each and the
"How to Give Confident Presentations" set FOUR times --- and side 3 of
tape 2 on the way there.
I even practised prior to the events at school on the stage with the
live microphone ... AND ... I remembered the breathing and I did TRY to
smile...
So what happened?
The Saturday performance I gave was good, everybody came to ME and said
straight out that I was great. "You did a great job", "You did well"
etc. I admit I still felt apprehensive and quite nervous BUT I had it
under control!!! Numbers started off at around 100 and increased to 300
as the informal ceremony and speeches took place.
AND my stomach had little butterflies instead of a mass of snakes
trying to get out, I had a tiny quiver in the voice BUT I had it under
control THANKS to the both of you.
SUNDAY came - The BIG day.
I had my confidence level boosted, thanks to the previous day and kind
comments from parents at our school BUT who was coming to this VERY
FORMAL DAY. Well, let me tell you the VIP list. The Most Reverend
Bishop Robert Healy, Mrs Therese Temby - DIRECTOR of Catholic
Education, Parish Priest, Deputy Mayor of Armadale, Sisters of the
Loreto order, The MOTHER SUPERIOR, All the Past and the present school
principals, etc, etc... AND 400 parents and children, all the current
staff and just about all the past staff - teaching or otherwise.
And I, I'm still not 100% sure why, was Master of Ceremonies!
We had the VIP procession down to the stage, which had 9 microphones
around it and a professional sound setup, huge great speakers every
where, everyone stood up and watched us when we arrived at our
seating... talk about eyes - I had never seen so many in any one place,
at any one time.
Then I was called up as MC...
Well I stood on the stage, looked around, again I TRIED to smile – "Remember
the breathing, don't forget the breathing!" I said to
myself (because there was no-one else with me...)
And I thought-- I CAN DO THIS... YES!!
Thanks to both of you and your advice, I did it!!
AND THIS is an added bonus... half way through... I was starting to
smile more naturally, the apprehension dissolved. I was looking at eyes
and individuals, I was starting to get a natural HIGH and I BEGAN TO
REALLY ENJOY MYSELF!
Then I knew I had beaten my challenge and I was very glad I did it...
and I knew then that the compliments would flow. It was important to me
to make a good impression for myself BUT mainly for the school and
school community.
Thanks Jon and Rachel, I did it and it was a great success and I felt
really good about it...
- and the chickens, some of a clucky chooks eggs hatched and we've now
got another seven baby ones... 16 in total... I'm glad we all like
eggs!!!"
Well done Terry!
Thank you Terry for telling your story and for doing it in such a
wonderful way. You can also do what Terry did and conquer your
presentation fears and talk in front of an audience successsfully.
Clearly practice is what makes the difference - and the chooks of
course!
Tell Stories
The ability to tell a story is well demonstrated in
Terry's letter. When you're giving a presentation include stories in
your speeches. Audiences may remember the stories more easily
than the detail. So here are a few tips for telling stories in speeches.
- Put yourself in the story. Terry spoke of "I". Avoid the third
person.
- Tell the story as it happens. Terry takes you through each step of
the way so you almost feel as though you were there and it was you
building up to be MC.
- Be descriptive and specific - describe the scenes. So Terry didn't
just say "so I practised" he said "I practised in the paddock with
an old microphone with only 10 chooks for an audience". He painted
the picture for us - do the same for your audience.
- Make sure the story is relevant and illustrates your key points!
We've all heard the irrelevant story which is used to entertain and
fill time - your story will be more productive if it is integrated
with the message you are wanting to give.
- Tell your own stories - don't tell stories you have heard from
other people. Your own stories will be far more powerful as you
will connect with the emotion of the story and they are easy to
remember!
- Keep a note book of funny things that happen to you when they
happen. Then when you write a speech you have an instant
collection of stories to draw on.
You can learn the same skills as Terry.
Further information
Want to know more? Got your event coming up soon? Then there is an E-book you can get immediately that is packed full of practical information to help you MC your event:
Have it delivered immediately to your e-mail box so you can be a brilliant MC Click here to order now.
And once you have read the book you are welcome to send any questions you have about being an MC to me, so I can personally answer them for you.
And please! Let us have your stories!
The next newsletter will look at tips for keeping customers happy at
Christmas ... and after that "how to feel more comfortable with people
who are different" ... as you might meet some at your Christmas get
togethers!
We've also had an Email from Coral Moody in New Zealand asking for a
future newsletter to address the issues of persuasion. She is trying to
get sponsors for a conference. If you have any tips that
you think will help Coral please Email them to us and we will include
them in a newsletter in the New Year. Thank you.
Until next time - enjoy your speaking!
Rachel.
