Craigstrachan.com – Keep talking!

I am often asked for my views on keeping the stories in a speech completely accurate as to what happened, as opposed to embellishing the story to make a great speech. My response is that while you need to be true to your stories, you must also be true to your message. Make sure that your audience remembers your message.

But it can be a fine line between embellishing a story to make it a great story, and telling an outright lie.

Darren la Croux has written a great blog post on this subject, explaining that your stories should at least be “Based on a True Story”. He says,

Have you ever noticed that Hollywood blockbusters always start off, “based on a true story?” They never start, “this is exactly how it happened.” If they told it exactly how it happened, we’d be bored!

Are you perfectly accurate when you tell your stories? The truth is important, yes. I’m not saying to lie or make things up. I just want your stories to be so memorable that people walk away clearly understanding your message.

If you are unsure how to approach this issue in your speeches, read his post; he gives a very clear an concise answer.

Gary Bailey

Some tips I picked up from Gary (ex goal keeper for Manchester United) at our Toastmasters conference. Enjoy!

Manchester United:

• Is a $1 billion business
• Has 300 million customers
• Delivers weekly to its customers

The principles of a good soccer team apply to business as well…

• Be tough- learns to takes knocks
• Build on gratitude
• Appreciate staff and all those around you
• Things go wrong for everybody at some time
• It’s how you deal with life, not what happens to you that is important
• Plan for the future
• Don’t send emotional emails because there is no emotion in email
• Make time for others
• Raise your energy
  • Body; food & exercise
  • Spirit; helping others
  • Mind;
  • Emotions;

Ali Bacher and ,me

Dr Ali Bacher spoke at our Toastmasters conference in May. Here are a few lessons from him.

1. Return correspondence within 24 hours
2. Brevity – 2 pages (both speaking and writing)
3. Workplace structures are meaningless (my version is that titles are meaningless)
4. Look after quality people that make it happen
5. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys
6. Keep your door open
7. Promote performers
8. Give responsibility to people you have confidence in
9. Give small gestures of appreciation
10. Be honest – never lie
11. Never break your word
12. Always settle out of court
13. Never record your feelings at the time, wait until you have cooled down
14. To learn respect, set the example
15. Fly economy class with your staff!
16. You have a responsibility to transfer your skills
17. Things don’t just happen; be proactive

A guest post by Louise Baker

Many people are afraid of speaking in public or have trouble doing so effectively. With today’s technology, the job of a public speaker is becoming easier. Here are 5 iPhone apps that you can use the next time you are giving a presentation.

1. Presenter Pro

“Presenter Pro” is available for $1.99 is designed to improve your public speaking abilities. It covers body language, the content of your presentation, the audiovisuals that you use, and many quick tips. By making use of ability of the iPhone to seamlessly blend text, pictures, and sounds, this application is ideal for a public speaker who is looking to improve his or her skills.

2. Public Speaking Hypnosis

If the thought of public speaking makes you start sweating, try the “Public Speaking Hypnosis” application ($0.99). This application claims to use hypnosis techniques to reduce anxiety before your big presentation. It uses beats and soothing music to allow you to attain a state of relaxation.

3. Speech Timer Premium

“Speech Timer Premium” ($4.99) offers large, color coded timers for your speech. A light on your phone will indicate green, yellow, red, or flashing to alert you when you reach pre-set times. See at a glance whether you are on track or use the vibrate feature and keep your phone in your pocket. If you give a variety of presentations, you can save the timing information for each of your presentations. This application also comes in a “lite” version for $0.99 if you don’t need all the features of the full application.

4. iSpeechCards

“iSpeechCards” ($1.99) is a full featured cue card application that allows you to plan out your presentation on a series of notecards which you can flip or tap to turn allowing you to refer to your notes as you speak. You can also set a duration for each card to display and then “turn” automatically. The notecards can also be easily rearranged or edited.

5. iUmmm

“iUmmm” ($0.99) is a unique application which allows you to record your presentation and take note of your verbal tics or bad habits. You can set whatever habits you want to track and use an easy click to record each time it occurs. If you have a tendency to allow “um” or “like” to interrupt your speech or a nervous habit of clicking your pen, this application can make you more aware of the habit and track your progress in ridding yourself of it.

Public speaking is your opportunity to present yourself with confidence and professionalism. With the help of some new applications, you can be more in control of how you present yourself so that your next public speaking engagement will make a positive impression on your audience.

Louise Baker is a freelance blogger who usually writes about online degrees for Zen College Life. Her most recent article ranked the best online schools.