Two organizations for taking your speaking to the next level.

-A misconception among some professional speakers is that the National Speakers Association is for professionals and Toastmasters is for amateurs. In my opinion, a more correct perspective is: NSA is for the business of speaking and Toastmasters is for everyone.

-NSA is a vibrant speaking association of people who speak for a living or who aspire to be a professional. The value of the conventions is unequalled. It is a supportive organization where speaking professionals share success secrets with their peers.

-If you join NSA, also join a chapter if there is one near you. It’s your chapter membership that connects you with other professionals.

-Toastmasters is where you sharpen your platform skills. You receive feedback that NSA is (Continue Reading…)

A system to help you become a better speaker.

Here is an idea for reviewing and evaluating your own talks. I use a special self-evaluation form on the back of my booking sheet. The booking sheet is the document that contains all the details of the speaking engagement: The contact person, phone numbers, the date and time, the venue, and other important details. On the backside I have created an evaluation form where I critique my talk immediately after the program.

On the self-evaluation form I evaluate the segments of the talk. What vignettes did I include in the talk? Were there any segments of the talk that worked especially well for that group, or that did not work? What did I wear? How was I feeling before and after the talk? Were there any challenges with the venue? Did I make any glaring mistakes during the program? Was there a line (Continue Reading…)

Adding Color to Your Speech

Variety adds spice to your talk and keeps people awake.

A general humor-rule for successful speech making is to use some humor at least every seven minutes. I would adapt that advice to say: At least every seven minutes do something different. A change-of-pace keeps your audience refreshed and listening. There are things you can do, other than humor, which can add color to your talk. Props, poetry, slides, song, dance, and more. What talents do you have? Do you juggle, do magic, play the guitar, eat fire? Well, you get the idea. As speakers we want to be more than talking heads. Add some variety, animation and sparkle to your presentations.

Here’s an idea for visually mapping your talk. Let’s say you’re delivering a one-hour speech. Prepare your manuscript or detailed outline. Find three differently colored highlighter markers. Highlight the “take-home-value” parts of your talk in, perhaps, (Continue Reading…)

A Great Start for Your Speech

Doing the right things to give your speech a great start.

There are things you can do to help make your humor connect right from the beginning of your talk.

-Arrive early and meet people in the audience. This builds a rapport that will increase the receptiveness of the audience to your opening lines.

-Be physically and vocally warmed up. Sometimes I step outside for some fresh air or take a brisk walk in the hallway. Actors warm up before performing. Successful speaking and humor delivery requires the same. You either warm up before you speak, or you warm up in front of the audience.

-Know your opening. This will allow you to be more relaxed at the start of your talk and it will enable you to be more observant (Continue Reading…)

by Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, The Productivity PRO®

The lobby payphone dangled by its cord as I lay crumpled in a heap on the floor of the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, OH. Tears streamed down my face as the words echoed in my ears, “Meagan walked today!” It was 1996, and my then 14-month old daughter had taken her first precious steps, and I'd missed it. That began my quest to balance my passions for my family and my message, without sacrificing either. Now, with three children, I conduct 90%of my business within a two-hour radius of Denver.

After the September 11 attacks and ensuing travel difficulties, speakers had a renewed interest in speaking closer to home. With many organizations holding meetings within driving distance, tapping the local market can be an important component of your overall marketing strategy. Here are some of my favorite tactics and some ideas from fellow speakers:

1. (Continue Reading…)

How To Be a Motivational Speaker

By Brad Montgomery, Motivational Speaker

Synopsis: Aspiring motivational speakers or corporate humorists often call me and ask: “Brad, just how can I get started on the path to being a motivational or keynote speaker?” In this article, I describe the associations beginning speakers might find helpful as well as the importance of just taking initiative to find personal success.

How To Be a Motivational Speaker

When I’m asked for advice about being a humorist or motivational speaker, I always say that it takes personal drive as well as some familiarity with the world of speaking. Becoming a speaker is anything but a lonely journey; there are all sorts of organizations to help you with your skills and connections, where motivational speakers from small communities or (Continue Reading…)

Sample Maid of Honor speech

FRIEND OF THE BRIDE

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me first to thank you all for being here and sharing this wonderful occasion with us. I can't tell you how honored I am to be standing here to toast my best friend Sue and her husband Bob.

Sue and I like so many of us, met our first year in college and have been inseparable ever since. It's amazing how relieved I was when she and Bob finally got together. They'd been tap dancing around the idea of going out for almost six months before he finally found the, well, courage to make it happen. Asking her out may have been the roughest part of the journey, because ever since it's been nothing but sunny skies and smooth sailing for those two. I have never before watched two people fall so madly in love with each other, and I (Continue Reading…)

By Brad Montgomery

Toasts have long been the centerfold of any wedding reception. Aside from the outfits, decor, and food, what’s said by the couple’s friends and family is often most talked about by guests, and certainly most remembered by the the newlyweds years later. It is any best man’s duty not only to acknowledge various important people at the ceremony, but also share insightful and often entertaining words about the bride and groom.

Think before you speak
Whether you plan to ‘wing it’ or read it, you should always give your toast a minimum amount of thought beforehand. Consider your relationship with the groom (and/or bride, as it may be), and try to identify one or two shared experiences that could liven up your toast. Humor is always a plus when speaking before a large audience, but keep in mind the spirit of the day and the fact that you are speaking (Continue Reading…)

1. Best Man is brother of the Groom
Welcome everyone, and thank you all for coming! I’m standing up here tonight to honor my brother Mark and his beautiful bride Laura. I have come to praise them both, and if I happen to embarrass either one of them, well, so be it!

It is a true testament to Mark and Laura that you have taken time from your busy schedule to come and share this momentous occasion with them.

Mark and Laura do not come lightly into this marriage. They have each put their ambition to good use and led extremely successful lives on their own. However, nothing can compare to the energy and love they’ve invested in becoming the perfect couple. Mark, characterized by a fast-paced, busy life, has learned to love life for its own sake, and we have Laura to thank for that. I never truly thought I’d see him (Continue Reading…)

By Brad Montgomery

Toasts have long been the centerfold of any wedding reception. Aside from the outfits, decor, and food, what’s said by the couple’s friends and family is often most talked about by guests, and certainly most remembered by the the newlyweds years later. It is any best man’s duty not only to acknowledge various important people at the ceremony, but also share insightful and often entertaining words about the bride and groom.

Think before you speak
Whether you plan to ‘wing it’ or read it, you should always give your toast a minimum amount of thought beforehand. Consider your relationship with the groom (and/or bride, as it may be), and try to identify one or two shared experiences that could liven up your toast. Humor is always a plus when speaking before a large audience, but keep in mind the spirit of the day and the fact that you are speaking (Continue Reading…)