A lot of business people now belong to networking groups. And that’s great. I just joined one myself. And I’m excited about the prospects.

However, one thing I’ve noticed is that some people have excellent 60 second commercials and some have very bad ones. I also noticed that many people, because they are uncomfortable with public speaking, have very bad delivery habits that need to be changed.

Your delivery is everything

A great 60 second commercial, delivered badly, is never remembered. When it comes to delivery, you must remember that studies have shown that the effectiveness and success of your public speaking is only 20% what you say and 80% how you say it.

I know they tell you in some circles to look at the back of the room or at people’s chest if you’re nervous. That works if your in a big hall, on a stage, with hundreds of people in front of you.

But a networking group is an intimate setting. Convincing your networking group to recommend your services to their clients and friends isn’t going to happen if you don’t look like you can deliver the goods.

You need to sweep your eyes across the eyes of everyone in the room if you can. Would you trust someone who shakes your hand but looks at the wall or your chest or over your shoulder? This is no different.

Confidence – Fake it till you make it

Get up, smile, straighten your back, walk briskly to the front of the room (like you own the place), turn and face your audience like you have something important to say (if you don’t act like it’s important, why should they). Sweep your eyes across the room first to establish your connection, and then deliver your speech.

An acting trick that can help

There is an actors trick that can help. Just before it’s your turn to speak, think of a time when you felt really confident, when you really “wowed the crowd”. Some time in the past when you won a spelling bee, or a race, or got an A on a test that you really worked hard on and felt justifiably rewarded.

Really imagine that time, how you felt. Then fill yourself with that feeling, let it wash over you like it just happened. And then get up and give your speech.

More hints, tips and suggestions

A couple of things I’ve seen a lot of people do that you need to watch out for:

• Don’t start talking before you’ve even finished standing up.
• Don’t deliver your speech from your seat. Walk to the front or back of the room.
• Don’t start to sit down before you’ve finished speaking. (A lot of people do this)
• Don’t start walking back to your seat before you’ve finished speaking. (ditto)
• Get some videos of popular public speakers. (Tony Robbins, etc.) Watch them, then try to imitate them. Repeat often.
• Find a voice coach and get some exercises you can do to strengthen your voice and delivery. It’ll only take one visit with them to get a series of daily exercises you can do and they will make a world of difference. (This is money very well spent. Actors and singers don’t get those commanding voices by accident).

My next blog will be about how to write a great 60 second commercial that will really wow your listeners!

HackingEthics

Originally posted 2007-09-18 07:31:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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