Tell Me, What Would You Ask?
If you get to spend one hour with world class speakers for a one-on-one, personal consultation for public speaking from each of them, what would you ask?
Thought of the question? Write it down.
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Write it down, NOW!
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Please be serious here.
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If you do really get the chance to grill them, pick on their brains, tap on their years of experience, what advice would you ask for?
Think hard and write it down. Fill in the blanks here.
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Written down any yet?
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In case you find this exercise hard, let me just paint the picture for you.
These people are veterens and experts at their field. They depend on their speaking skills for a living. The success of their careers depends on how well they can speak with impact and present with power in front of a large audience. They have to ‘WOW’ their audience 4-5 times a week. They have to keep their speeches fresh and new each time they speak to an audience and they must not only consistently achieve good results, they must PRODUCE them!
In fact, one of the speakers has been speaking in public for more than 28 years. I can’t tell you who he is. Chances are, you will recognized the person if I told you his name.
Do you think you could learn a thing or two from these people? (I know I would, despite knowing quite a bit)
I don’t want just any questions here, I want your burning, nagging questions that you have been wanting to ask, that if answered, will do a whole world of difference to your public speaking journey. Of course, no questions are too stupid to ask. Give me all of your questions that you want answered for you to improve to the next level, so that I can give you the answers.
As a token of appreciation, I’m going to first answer all these questions myself and give it to you in audio, just for having you ask me questions. I will also give a special bonus to those who ask the best questions. By best questions, I’m refering to both quality and quantity. This is important. For the better questions you ask, the better answers you’ll get.
I’ll also give you a complimentary copy of my book, out by June, if you are one of the first ten to give me good, quality questions. (First 10 only)
All you got to do is submit your questions to me by 11th of April. Simply scroll down and click on “Comment” and send me your burning questions.
Remember, I can only help you to the extent that you are willing to help yourself. If you do not have good questions in mind, if you do not bother to take the time to write them down, if you do not take the effort to get them answered, it’s very hard for you to progress as a public speaker and in any areas of your life.
Again, for the first ten who gives me the best questions, I’m going to give you for FREE a copy of my book coming out in June. Start thinking hard!
P.S: You will get an audio copy of my responses to ALL the questions asked as long as you send me your questions. That’s right, 100+ burning questions answered in exchange for just one good question from you! You can’t miss this opportunity!
P.P.S: And of course, the first ten who send me your quality questions will receive a complimentary copy of my ebook which will be released in June.
P.P.P.S: Personally, this is the first time I wrote so many PS’es! You can tell how serious I am about this. It is sooooo hard to get an appointment with this speaker. So please help me help YOU! Hear from you really soon.
Hi. Thanks for this opportunity. I have a couple questions - hope that’s okay. They’re very basic issues but things that are real obstacles to my confidence and skill in public speaking.
First, how important is memorization? I can’t find the balance between speaking naturally and wanting to have the structure of a written speech that I’ve memorized. I find that I focus on trying to remember those words and if I miss a word or a sentence I get flustered.
The second issue for me is the lectern - I’m very short, and people have suggested I not stand behind it because I look very strange. Is it acceptable for me to stand to the side of it?
Third, I’ve been told that a speech should start with a “bang” - something to really catch the audience’s attention. However, not every speech is suitable for that and it comes of seeming contrived. I’m a member of Toastmasters and I’ve seen experienced toastmasters use props and do other attention-getting things that to me seem overly dramatic and detract from the speech topic.
Thanks for your help.
The questions are as follows:
1) How does u define “Charismatic” in terms of speaker’s speech?
2) What does u think is the “Charisma” and/ or “Unique” personality that lead u to ur current success?
3) Substances, humor and style of presenting a speech… Which is more important and what part of a pie should they occupied?
4) How can one sustain his/ her passion and interest in speech when they could be traveling around giving the same, old speech?
5) Does having a pretty or handsome face provide an advantage to a speaker?
6) How can a speaker relate or share a story that is of different cultural background as the audience successfully? Like… how can a speaker ensure that his/ her overseas audience knows what “Kia Su”ism means?
7) Does a good speaker need to be very politically sensitive or just particular to all around them?
8) Besides having a strong language background, what else does u think a good speaker should process?
Regards, Elise
If there was only one question I could ask, it would be:
“How do you mentally prepare so that you understand what your audience wants to go away with? And then of course not any audience, but the next audience you will work with?
If there was another question I could ask, it would be:
“What do you do after your presentation to learn as much as you can from what happened?
Best,
Arie
1) How to you rate yourself for the public speaking skill?
2) What motivate you to continuesly perform well in the public speaking skill?
3) Do you have experience of nervous and how you counter it during the speech?
4) What is your best memory in the public speaking journey?
5) What advise you will give for a person with poor pronousation in the public speaking skill?
1. How many years of experience do you accumulate to become a good public speaker?
2. How do u start preparing your speech? Do u do alot of research? How long is the preparation process?
3.What advice do you give to first time novice speaker?
4. How to make your speech interesting, impressionable? Do i start collecting real life situation, humour and record them for future reference?
5. How to make the audience participate?
1.When speaking in front of an audience, what do you focus on, a certain person, an object, or do you look around at the audience?
2.When you select a topic to present to the audience, how often do you rehearse it before the actual date?
3.Are there any suggestions for calming nerves before speaking in front of a new audience?
These are the questions that I have always had a burning desire to ask.
They say that you should maintain eye contact with audience. But with who exactly should I maintain eye contact? There are so many people in front of me. Making eye contact with them one by one will make me feel very awkward. Similarly, making eye contact with only one person throughout the speech can be really irritating for both of you. So what exactly am I supposed to do?
What exactly should I do with my hands when I am speaking? Just letting them fall to my sides, or folding them on my chest seems very inappropriate to me but I don’t have a better idea. Frankly, I love the hand movements of Professor Noam Chomsky. Can I follow him? Wouldn’t it make me look aggressive, or arrogant?
I think pauses are necessary in your speech, so that the audience has the time to digest your message. But how can I take decent pauses and still avoid the pause fillers, such as umm.., well.. etc.?
I have a habit of speaking very very fast, and a lot of people consider that I’m aggressive and are put down by my attitude. Should I slow down? Can I speak as fast and yet sound less aggressive.
Well Although my speaking career is beginning to take off..Very slowly but surely..I would love to ask how is it that they are making so much money…I want a great deal of my money to come from my speaking career..
Hi Eric, I just wanted to tell you how proud i am of you..and your Blogs are wonderful..You are truly one of my many inspirational speakers …In fact you are thus far My Youngest Mentor in my journey toward absolute success..Please keep up the fine Job…And PLeeeeeaaaassee Keep sending me this wonderful uplifting email information…You are a terrific person…
By the way…check out our New Online Talk show we just started…It was free to put together. I am sure you will be able to do the same thing..I would be another great avenue for your speaking
www.blogtalkradio.com/itsallaboutyou
Please enjoy
Hi Eric.
Thanks for your information packed emails.
I’ll get onto the Question I’ve always wanted an honest and viable answer to:
Q: What is the absolute best and most productive way to keep focus on the subject at hand? (during a speech…I am an EmCee for Music Festvals around Australia, aswell as a regular Radio Presenter)
I often have difficuly focusing on what I’m talking about, remembering simple names and staying on the subject. i tend to go off on tangents, (no doubt; confusing the audience) I’m often distracted by thoughts of not being good enough to be “up there” talking. I (sometimes) lack confidence on stage.
Thankyou for your reply.
regards
Natasha Hanjin
107.3 Heritage FM
1. Persuasive Speech -
Given a time limit (5-7 mins) to persuade your audience to do something, what (in your opinion) is/are the most important thing(s) that must never be absent in a successful persuasive speech — the one/a few things that will make the audience take immediate action.
Having identify that thing(s), please elaborate more on that.
2. Inspirational Speech -
What, in your opinion, is the most powerful kind of inspirational speech? One that will move the audience.
(Sharing a personal story? using a number of short stories? using history as lessons to learn? constantly addressing the audience with questions for them to think about? etc…) Please advise.
3. Technical Presentation -
Is it possible to make a Technical Presentation technical, yet can be understood by the general audience?
4. Footwork -
Is it advisable to make full use of the stage floor when giving a speech OR should I stay rooted to only one position?
(A previous post in this blog talks about staying in one position so that the audience don’t get distracted by the frequent moving about. Yet, I have seen winning speeches where the speaker move around frequently.)
5. Portraying sincerity -
Can you share with us some tips to appear really sincere in a speech?
Some sincere speeches talk about giving gratitude, appreciating people around you, believing in your dreams… These are normally more serious topics. Mishandling in the delivery might lead to the audience finding the speaker too serious, too fierce, too aggressive. However, if delivered in a light-hearted manner, audience may not take it seriously and sincerity is lost.
Please advise.
6. Connecting with the audience -
What are all the crucial ways to draw the audience into your speech, hence connecting with them?
Please elaborate in details each of the ways.
7. Continuous ideas for new speeches -
How do you generate new ideas for new speeches and deliver them effectively. Sometimes, I lack the inspiration for the topic (not knowing what to talk about, given a deadline for presenting the speech). Sometimes I don’t feel enough for my script to deliver them effectively.
8. Winning Speech vs Excellent Speech -
What make up the ingredients of a winning speech?
Can a winning speech be considered as an excellent speech?
If YES, what are the similarities?
If NO, how do they differ?
9. Finding MY style -
One of the ways to improve in public speaking is to observe expert speakers and note what they do that separate them from mediocre speakers. However, as time goes by, we tend to ‘model’ these expert speakers’ styles (what we deem as good).
Eventually, we may be labelled as ‘copycats’ or we may just be a combination of their styles.
How do we discover our own style of speaking, one that we can claim as our own.
10. Good speaker vs Excellent speaker -
What is the difference between a good speaker and an excellent speaker. What is/are the thing(s) an excellent speaker has that a good speaker does not have?
Hi Eric,
The questions I would ask would be:
1. How do you practise for a speech-as in practise how you would deliver with all hand gestures, expressions and body language?
2. What do you suggest to people on improving speech deliverance skills? How should people get over their apprehension and nervousness?
3. How do you remember all names, etc of your speech with so many people looking at you? You need to look at all and yet not register them and concentrate on your words? How do you prevent distractions?
Thankyou.
Regards,
Ritika.
1. Persuasive Speech -
Given a time limit (5-7 mins) to persuade your audience to do something, what (in your opinion) is/are the most important thing(s) that must never be absent in a successful persuasive speech — the one/a few things that will make the audience take immediate action.
Having identify that thing(s), please elaborate more on that.
2. Inspirational Speech -
What, in your opinion, is the most powerful kind of inspirational speech? One that will move the audience.
(Sharing a personal story? using a number of short stories? using history as lessons to learn? constantly addressing the audience with questions for them to think about? etc…) Please advise.
3. Technical Presentation -
Is it possible to make a Technical Presentation technical, yet can be understood by the general audience?
4. Footwork -
Is it advisable to make full use of the stage floor when giving a speech OR should I stay rooted to only one position?
(A previous post in this blog talks about staying in one position so that the audience don’t get distracted by the frequent moving about. Yet, I have seen winning speeches where the speaker move around frequently.)
5. Portraying sincerity -
Can you share with us some tips to appear really sincere in a speech?
Some sincere speeches talk about giving gratitude, appreciating people around you, believing in your dreams… These are normally more serious topics. Mishandling in the delivery might lead to the audience finding the speaker too serious, too fierce, too aggressive. However, if delivered in a light-hearted manner, audience may not take it seriously and sincerity is lost.
Please advise.
6. Connecting with the audience -
What are all the crucial ways to draw the audience into your speech, hence connecting with them?
Please elaborate in details each of the ways.
7. Continuous ideas for new speeches -
How do you generate new ideas for new speeches and deliver them effectively. Sometimes, I lack the inspiration for the topic (not knowing what to talk about, given a deadline for presenting the speech). Sometimes I don’t feel enough for my script to deliver them effectively.
8. Winning Speech vs Excellent Speech -
What make up the ingredients of a winning speech?
Can a winning speech be considered as an excellent speech?
If YES, what are the similarities?
If NO, how do they differ?
9. Finding MY style -
One of the ways to improve in public speaking is to observe expert speakers and note what they do that separate them from mediocre speakers. However, as time goes by, we tend to ‘model’ these expert speakers’ styles (what we deem as good).
Eventually, we may be labelled as ‘copycats’ or we may just be a combination of their styles.
How do we discover our own style of speaking, one that we can claim as our own.
10. Good speaker vs Excellent speaker -
What is the difference between a good speaker and an excellent speaker. What is/are the thing(s) an excellent speaker has that a good speaker does not have?
Thanks!
Cheerio!
Doris
Hello,
I run corporate training events in public speaking and want to branch out into the ‘public course’ market.
What is hte best way to attract customers?
Cheers
Darren Fleming
How do you “Be Yourself”? We all heard that so many times but how EXACTLY do you do it.
How are you *present* with the audience?
Are there times when the audience does not react or respond the way you want them to? Maybe they are not as enthusiastic (Lets say you gave the same speech to another group and they love it so much but this group just didn’t have it)? How do you react?
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your emails.
I would love to attend your seminar and workshop if I am based in Singapore but I guess I would have to opt for by other means that you mentioned.
I couldn’t agree more with you that practice makes perfect. There is no better way of overcoming stage fright than facing the fear itself. Over here in Brunei, the only public speaking avenue is the Brunei Speakers Club under the Toastmaster. In fact, I attended the meeting last night to get the feel of it and I find it fun and engaging. Though I personally prefer seminar or workshop environment, the club is lively in its own ways. Actually I have been meaning to do it all these years. This time I have no choice but to finally drag myself there for the sake of my new profession as a lecturer (soon-to-be).
It’s not that I have never spoken in public before. I have been an emcee twice, given a few speeches to fellow colleagues and a business talk to university students once. Yet I still get cold feet intially when I get on stage. My worst experience was Iwhen gave a speech to a large audience made up of business executives. I remember being practically speechless half way through and I had to carry on by nothing but continuing to speak may way out quickly.
However I dont think speaking to a group of students is as bad as to a large group of business executives. It’s definitely far less intimidating, hence greater level of confidence.
Anyway, how would you advise me to do well with my lecture for the first time very soon? and apart from practice, any tips to overcome novice’s fright?
Thanks.
Jefri Basiuni
Hi,
Thanks for this opportunity! Here are my few questions:
1) how do you have/show “charismatic” stage presence. So many try but so few are able to capture the attention of the audience.
2) what is public speaking to you?
3) sometimes i get unexpectedly nervous when speaking in public. especially when it concerns a large group of important people. how do i overcome it?
Thank you!
Yours Sincerely,
Myra
Could a person with a relatively poorer command of English (but not entirely poor) be able to speak well like other people do?
I understand that it takes time and effort in learning and improving the language. But I am interested to know given a short time frame, how can that person convey an impressive message without revealing his/her weakness in language.
THank you!!
Cheers,
Tsz Lun
Like the writer above, I am fascinated by the balance between memorisation/practice and being spontaneous. I personally feel that you need to practice, practice, practice for a big speech and then work at appearing to be natural. I’m interested to hear a champions viewpoint.
Like the writer above, I am fascinated by the balance between memorisation/practice and being spontaneous. I personally feel that you need to practice, practice, practice for a big speech and then work at appearing to be natural. I’m interested to hear a champions viewpoint.
1. How many years of experience do you accumulate to become a good public speaker?
2. How do u start preparing your speech? Do u do alot of research? How long is the preparation process?
3.What advice do you give to first time novice speaker?
4. How to make your speech interesting, impressionable? Do i start collecting real life situation, humour and record them for future reference?
5. How to make the audience participate?
1. Are you going to make a BIG different to the world? As I wish to make a big different.
2. How far will you go to just to fullfill your “DREAM” ?
3. I believe you have met people who told you that they wish to be like you. What will you say to them?
4. How do you influence someone to think like the way you think?
5. Can you see yourself being the world class speaker before you were one?
1. Who’s are the world’s leading Humor Coaches?
2. Why do some audience members hear the message so differently from all the rest?
3. What’s the formula to win a toastmaster’s competition? Impact, passion and a great message in 5-7 mins?
4.How do I present a subject I’m passionate about without appearing obsessed?
5. Is working from notes from a lecturn really that bad?
i saw many questions which reflect my concerns as well
to add to the list
(1) I heard pple saying that the one of the best way to present is to be as though you are speaking with your friends, conversational style, speak to the audience as though you are talking to your friends.
i guess there is some truth in it cos when we are talking with friends, we sometimes find ourselves doing what they say will make a good speech, we will vary our pitch, we will add in stories, we are animated
but i think it is hard to achieve this , cause when we give a speech/presentation, most of us will switch to a presentation mode, we become monotanous, we become liveless…..it may have become a habit subconsciously, so hard to change
so any adivce on how to change…………
I know that enthusiasm is very important in delivering a message or speech. But sometimes I find it very hard to bring out that enthusiasm and energy. Very often, i have to consciously tell myself that I need to be enthusiastic. So most of the time,I have to force myself. So it also does not come out too good as well. Any suggestion on how to muster more enthusiasm especially if we’re not too keen on the topic we’re presenting?
I notice from my observation of the lectures given by the senior lecturer is that his lecturing style is very good but it’s just that I feel I should use my own style. So what’s your advice on this?
I realised from my lecture last week that I kept holding my pen while explaining with hand gestures, is this ok? Is there such thing as lecturing taboo like no holding pen, no holding note, no standing in one place only, etc.
humour– often I use humour to capture attention from my audience; particularly in the front and the end of my presentation. How in fact should humour be use? I do understand that the message of the speech still have to get through. So do what extent should we use humour? and will the audience find us too persuasive?
Nice website!!