Category Archives: Professional Development

Impromptu Speaking

One of the most difficult things to do is to speak on the spot. You might say that’s easy. Sure it is, if it doesn’t matter what you say. But what if you are a presenter on stage or at a function or have been thrown a ridiculous question by your boss? People are looking at your and waiting on a comment. Your comment. Or waiting for you to sort out a problem. But you mind cannot process this much information. A thousand thoughts are forcing their way towards your mouth with the main one being. ‘Shit’.

Practice

[random_topic_generator]

We created this little topic generator after an idea from fledgling topic speaker, Danny Pham. The key is to not refresh the page for a better topic. Go with what is presented – that makes it a real life situation. Have a think about the topic for five seconds and then start speaking for two minutes. Record yourself on your phone. Practice is the only solution to getting better. It takes time and effort but it pays off.

Seasoned presenters have lots of ideas on how to get themselves out of a jam. Over time they have built a stockpile of answers, replies and ideas that save them. Every presenter will have stories about how things have fallen apart and how they saved the day. Many times the audience won’t even know there has been an issue. They just thought it was part of the show.

Anecdote: At a local outdoor event a young lady stood on stage ready to delight the crowd with her singing. It was an amateur contest. I introduced her, the crowd (especially her family) cheered. No music. She stood there waiting for her music to start. I had moved to the side of the stage and waited. In the distance I could see the engineers battling and indicating there was an issue. What can I do?

“Ah ladies and gents me have a minor technical issue. How many in the audience today come from Bargo.” (I chose a wealthy suburb about thirty kilometers away). About ten hands were raised. “OK, it’s your turn to stack the chairs after the event today.” The crowd roared with laughter as I apologised for the technical problem and told them we’d be back shortly. A random music track was played and we left the stage.”

Here are a few ideas for presenters:

  • Try and have a handful of ad-libs up your sleeve to use if needed. The stacking the chairs is a fun one that leaves the audience with a smile. But you need to be careful that you don’t offend anyone in the process. It’s all in the way you deliver it.
  • Have a short corny joke that gets a reaction. Trial and error.
  • Always introduce yourself and chat with the head audio engineer and stage manager before any event.

When I left the stage I was told the girl had supplied her own backing track as most do in contests. In those days it was by CD. She had copied a data file and not an audio file. So no sound. The engineer had not checked the audio on the CD and just assumed it would be right. After that day and at any event like this I double checked with the engineer that audio on the backing tracks has been checked. Some audio engineers take offence to being asked this so I share this anecdote. I don’t care if they don’t like me, it is ‘me’ on stage who is left feeling like an idiot. Btw – the audio engineer solved the issue – not sure how, but he worked his magic. The young lady performed her song.

Use the Audience

Often when things fall apart you can also use the audience as a lifesaver. Go down into the audience and interview them with some sort of question related to the event. You can move from person to person asking simple questions. If you are lucky to find a fun person stay with them and ask more questions.

No: Are you happy today? (you only get a yes or a no answer)

Yes: What have you liked about today? (You get a reply that will help fill the time)

Never tell them they are a mob of morons. They get upset especially if they are morons.

Begin with the end in mind. Just imagine that your event or presentation will go perfectly. See people thanking you for a job well done. Try not to watch the clock and wish it was over. You can do it. It just takes practice and persistence.

Toastmasters

Before you roll your eyes thinking it’s not for you have a look at your goals. If you want to learn or improve this is indeed for you. But the key is to select the right group – in big cities there are many groups and if you get the right fit of people you can fly. I never learned through Toastmasters but I see it as valuable to anyone wanting to move forward.

Think on the Spot – Impromptu

They have a section called Table Topics. Each week a different member of the group will invite a person to the front of the room and then be given a topic to discuss for about 1 – 2 minutes. About ten people will be asked in total. This is absolute fear and horror for most people. To stand in front of a group and speak off the cuff. Later your presentation will evaluated. Once you see that the evaluator is ‘out to help you’ and ‘not out to get you’ – a new door opens in your life.

As a presenter or even in work situations we are thrown a clanger and have to reply instantly. What do we say? How can we respond?

Is it for Me?

Try and see. If you want to learn or improve presentation skills this is valuable. You will never move forward or become a master by reading books. Yes, knowledge can help but you need ‘action’ included in your goal. Test different clubs – find a tribe where you think you will grow.

Recently I joined a club. I have little to learn but I love the group – it has the right energy for me. They are a younger group who are energetic and wanting to move forward in their various careers. Most are doing multiple things, experimenting, trialing, exploring.

Who Joins Toastmasters

Over the years I have met people who have trained at Toastmasters. One friend, in her early days in local government, joined as she needed to build confidence in speaking. She is now an independent politician in government.

At the Domain in Sydney speakers stand on a soapbox and present on Sundays. Speaker, Mark Avery started with Toastmasters.

I’m not out to plug Toastmasters as the be all and end all of presenting – it’s not. But it’s worth having a look, it might work for you.

What’s your Budget?

One of the greatest lessons I learned was from a friend Mr Duffy. Brian, an astute businessman, told me to always ask, on any job, these magic three words: ‘What’s your Budget?’

Prior to this I would fall for the old pretty face who squirmed for the lowest price because of financial difficulties. So for many years I did jobs on the cheap. I always believed people’s stories, not knowing they were playing a game of life. I never realised they would pass my name to others who needed it done on the cheap. Overtime I toughened up but had yet to learn those magic three words: ‘What’s your Budget?’

Voice over has always been a sideline to my regular work. It was my icing on the cake.

Voice Over Job from Hell

A young lady starting a business called and asked me to voice her radio ads. She was starting a new business. As I was working in a foreign country, and English was her second language, she asked me to check the scripts. The English was not the best and I suggested a few changes. This became a nightmare of changes with her arguing points of English. We still hadn’t decided on a fee for the voice over. Eventually the scripts went ahead and she argued for the cheapest price possible. During negotiations she kept promising that when her company became successful she would give me loads of voice over work. She was also a nightmare producer and after many re-takes in the studio the job was done. On reflection I did much more than I was every paid for. I never saw her again. Until…

She called me two years later and asked me to do some voice over work. It wasn’t until half way through the conversation that I recognised her as the previous horror client. I gave her my price. She said she was desperate and needed a reduced price as her business did not work out and was now closing down. The ads were for a clear out sale. She became angry when I declined the offer of work. She wanted to know why. I told her I had reviewed by voice over work and was only doing limited jobs for regular clients. She slammed down the phone. I am so happy I never did that job.

Once you are seen as being cheap you run the risk of always being cheap and it becomes difficult to raise your prices. If you have a good product and experience and are you are proud of your work you can discount depending on the client. I always show my full fee on the invoice and the amount of discount.

The Budget

For the past twenty years I have played the game and now use those three words – ‘What’s your budget?’. It creates havoc in the mind of the uninitiated client. They give a look of despair. It’s not up to me to keep lowering my price to please them. Yes, it is easy for me to say that now. But in the beginning you need to have some sort of plan on your pricing. Survey the market. Find what makes you better than anyone else. And play the game – ‘What’s your budget?’