Effective Public Speaking Skills

Father’s Day is just around the corner

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:01:23 +0000

Granted, it’s hard enough remembering Father’s Day let alone putting together a few words to say. The selections we’ve written, undercut with subtle humor, and reveal the love and respect you feel for the old man. We combined three poems with 2 free speeches - Click Here.

Some wise words about public speaking from the classic Talk on Talking

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:38:11 +0000

THE ART OF TALKING

The charm of conversation chiefly depends upon the adaptability of the participants. It is a great accomplishment to be able to enter gently and agreeably into the moods of others, and to give way to them with grace and readiness.

The spirit of conversation is oftentimes more important than the ideas expressed. What we are rather than what we say has the most permanent influence upon those around us. Hence it is that where a group of persons are met together in conversation, it is the inner life of each which silently though none the less surely imparts tone and character to the occasion.

It requires vigorous self-discipline so to cultivate the feelings of kindness and sympathy that they are always in readiness for use. These qualities are essential to agree[Pg 2]able and profitable intercourse, though comparatively few people possess them.

Burke considered manners of more importance than laws. Sidney Smith described manners as the shadows of virtues. Dean Swift defined manners as the art of putting at ease the people with whom we converse. Chesterfield said manners should adorn knowledge in order to smooth its way through the world. Emerson spoke of manners as composed of petty sacrifices.

We all recognize that a winning manner is made up of seemingly insignificant courtesies, and of constant little attentions. A person of charming manner is usually free from resentments, inquisitiveness, and moods.

Personality plays a large part in interesting conversation. Precisely the same phraseology expressed by two different persons may make two wholly different impressions, and all because of the difference in the personalities of the speakers.

The daily mental life of a man indelibly impresses itself upon his face, where it can be unmistakably read by others. What a person is, innately and habitually, unconsciously [Pg 3]discloses itself in voice, manner, and bearing. The world ultimately appraises a man at his true value.

Some more phrases you can use in your speech writing adventures

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:31:22 +0000

sterling sense stern defiance stiff conceit stifled convulsions still solitudes stilted bombast stimulating impression stinging reproach stinted endowment stipulated reward stock pleasantries stoic callousness stolid obstinacy stony stare storied traditions stormy passion stout assertion straggling association straightforward logic straightway vanished strained interpretation straitened circumstance strange wistfulness strenuous insistence striking diversity stringent statement strong aversion stubborn reality studious reserve stultified mind stunning crash stupendous magnitude stupid bewilderment sturdy genuineness subaltern attitude [subaltern = secondary] subconscious conviction subduing influence sublime anticipations submissive behavior subordinate pursuit subsidiary advantage sterling sense stern defiance stiff conceit stifled convulsions still solitudes stilted bombast stimulating impression stinging reproach stinted endowment stipulated reward stock pleasantries stoic callousness stolid obstinacy stony stare storied traditions stormy passion stout assertion straggling association straightforward logic straightway vanished strained interpretation straitened circumstance strange wistfulness strenuous insistence striking diversity stringent statement strong aversion stubborn reality studious reserve stultified mind stunning crash stupendous magnitude stupid bewilderment sturdy genuineness subaltern attitude [subaltern = secondary] subconscious conviction subduing influence sublime anticipations submissive behavior subordinate pursuit subsidiary advantage sterling sense stern defiance stiff conceit stifled convulsions still solitudes stilted bombast stimulating impression stinging reproach stinted endowment stipulated reward stock pleasantries stoic callousness stolid obstinacy stony stare storied traditions stormy passion stout assertion straggling association straightforward logic straightway vanished strained interpretation straitened circumstance strange wistfulness strenuous insistence striking diversity stringent statement strong aversion stubborn reality studious reserve stultified mind stunning crash stupendous magnitude stupid bewilderment sturdy genuineness subaltern attitude [subaltern = secondary] subconscious conviction subduing influence sublime anticipations submissive behavior subordinate pursuit subsidiary advantage sterling sense stern defiance stiff conceit stifled convulsions still solitudes stilted bombast stimulating impression stinging reproach stinted endowment stipulated reward stock pleasantries stoic callousness stolid obstinacy stony stare storied traditions stormy passion stout assertion straggling association straightforward logic straightway vanished strained interpretation straitened circumstance strange wistfulness strenuous insistence striking diversity stringent statement strong aversion stubborn reality studious reserve stultified mind stunning crash stupendous magnitude stupid bewilderment sturdy genuineness subaltern attitude [subaltern = secondary] subconscious conviction subduing influence sublime anticipations submissive behavior subordinate pursuit subsidiary advantage I collected these turns of phrase, like the previous ones I posted from an old text. Some of them are real gems. Put them to good use.

Putting my money where my mouth is

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:27:50 +0000

Sometimes even those who mostly blog about public speaking have to go into the real world and build their experience. A few weeks back, in my other role as a marketing strategist, I had the pleasure of doing a presentation for Globalaw on social media marketing. As as is always the case, every time I speak in public I make a new distinction which helps me to improve my public speaking and presentation skills.

You can view and listen to the presentation here: http://www.slideshare.net/amrab05/social-media-marketing-for-lawyers

My Interview with Mark Sanborn - Powerful public speaker and best selling author

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:13:38 +0000

A while back I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Sanborn on the topic of public speaking. The interview was a pleasure and yielded many a pearl of wisdom. I uploaded it to our site at the time. Here is a link to the page and the interview so that members of Mark’s Facebook group, and new readers of our blog, get a chance to listen to the interview. Click here or go to: http://www.occasionalwords.com/ow/interview-with-mark-sanborn-on-public-speaking.html

Great Story Tellers

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:10:38 +0000

Great presenters may not always follow all the rules taught in traditional public speaking courses but can nevertheless hold an audience in the palm of their hand. That is often the case because their passion about the subject matter turns them into great story tellers. Here is an example of a speech delivered at the Ted Conference.

Aubrey de Grey: Why we age and how we can avoid it

Another piece of masterful public speaking

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:41:41 +0000

Last night’s address to Congress by President Obama was another example of a well written speech delivered skillfully. Give it a listen.

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones - One of the greatest public speakers and motivators I’ve ever listened to

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:38:43 +0000

I found out a couple of weeks ago that one of the the finest public speakers and motivators I’ve ever listened to passed away. About a year and a half ago he was kind enough to let me interview him for our site. Here is reprise of my blog post at the time and a link to the interview.

Blog post from October 24th, 2007
A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing the legendary motivational speaker Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones about the importance of developing effective public speaking skills. Charlie, as always, was gracious, passionate, and provided unique insights. If you want to develop public speaking skills, or improve your existing ones, before giving your next speech be sure to listen to it by clicking here. For those of you who don’t know Charlie, he is a pioneer in the leadership training and personal development industries. He entered the insurance business at age 22, with MONY. At age 23, he was awarded his agency’s Most Valuable Associate Award. Ten years later, he received his company’s highest management award for recruiting, manpower and development, and business management. In 1965, he founded Life Management Services to share his experience through seminars and consulting services. Thousands of audiences around the world have experienced non-stop laughter as his ideas about life’s most challenging situations in business and at home. Two of his speeches, "The Price of Leadership" and "Where Does Leadership Begin?" have been enjoyed by millions. He is the author and editor of nine books, including Life is Tremendous with more than 2,000,000 copies in print in 12 languages. He is featured in numerous books and has received more awards then I can possibly recount in this blog. Click here to listen to the interview.

A few words for Valentine’s Day

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:16:23 +0000

Once again, we are celebrating Cupid’s holiday by giving away our selection of Valentine’s Day Toasts, Poems, and Verses. Get them now, read them over a few times, select you favorite one, and most importat - put it to good use on February 14th!

Get your copy today - Click Here!!

Happy Valentine’s Day
Occasional Words Team

President Obama’s Inaugural Address - Public Speaking We Can All Learn From

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:40:47 +0000

Another solid public speaking performance at a great historic event. I often like to listen to speeches like this to pick up tips about effective writing and delivery. I look forward for many more lessons.