Publishing Online
How to Give a Dam Good Speech
by Valerie Hasara Marketing, Web Designer, Owner
Valerie Hasara 
Marketing, Web Designer, Owner
In the book ‘How to Give a Dam Good Speech’. The best lesson the author taught was how to rest your audience. People’s attention span is only so long before they are too tired to absorb any more important information.
When you are speaking, if your observant, you will see peoples eyes glass over and bodies shifting in there seat. It is time to talk about something slightly off topic to let your audience brains take a break.
Writing is the same way, you just can’t see the yawns from your audience. (And you certainly don’t see them skim to the end.)
So how do your keep people reading to the end? And is what you have to say so important that they should?
Jun 19th 2007 20:07
Marketing, Web Designer, OwnerIn the book ‘How to Give a Dam Good Speech’. The best lesson the author taught was how to rest your audience. People’s attention span is only so long before they are too tired to absorb any more important information.
When you are speaking, if your observant, you will see peoples eyes glass over and bodies shifting in there seat. It is time to talk about something slightly off topic to let your audience brains take a break.
Writing is the same way, you just can’t see the yawns from your audience. (And you certainly don’t see them skim to the end.)
So how do your keep people reading to the end? And is what you have to say so important that they should?
Jun 19th 2007 20:07
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Comments
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Dave Fullmer
 Internet Marketing Mentor/coachYour very last statement is the key, I think. I know I am guilty of writing on and on. But maybe we should learn to stop when we have said enough. Reminds me of a quote I copied into the back of my Bible years and years ago. The speaker/teacher at this meeting made this statement: Lord, fill my mouth with useful stuff, but nudge me when I've said enuf. Dave Jun 19th 2007 21:23 |
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Graham Hunt
I must admit that whenever I get to an obvious sales page on the net (and you can pick them these days, they are so obvious) I might read the first two or three paragraphs, but my next action is to look at the size of the scroll bar and if it's any shorter than about quarter the screen size (which means a long page full of drivel) I scroll down to the bottom to see what sort of money people are asking. Most of the time I bother to read more than that is when I am keen to find out what the product or service and do for me. I am in a buying mindset, I don't really need to know the features as much as I want to know the benefits which is a vastly different proposition. I don't see too much of that on the 'net. I look for the sentence that starts with something like "What that means for you is...." or something similar. The only time I see that is in the outlandish promises of the great fortune I can make or how I can set it to auto pilot and never do any work. Both those claims are in my experience quite false and only lead to unrealistic expectations on the part of the consumer. Is it any wonder we have a large proportion of the 'net population who are jaded to one extent or another. Nor do I want to read how someone made $5,000 in 24 hours. I cannot relate to that and switch off. Even promises of $5000 per month is a stretching the imagination a little far. I know there are people who make that sort of money. But I would like to hear someone say "Do this, do that and you can make a good regular income from your online activities." And I just shudder most times when I read the word FREE, because it usually means "once you have paid me [insert ridiculous amount] for my program you will get all these services for nothing. That, to me is not free. I'm starting to waffle, so I stop now. Jun 19th 2007 22:32 |
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Valerie Hasara
Marketing, Web Designer, OwnerLisa I think it is great anytime an 11 year old will give a speech. I would not worry about him talking about himself and his experiences. Maybe you can help him sum up a comment about himself with how it is good for the whole school. Like: My favorite thing in gym is the rock wall. It is great that it was donated for us all to use. Let us know how he does : ) Valerie Jun 19th 2007 23:49 |
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Chuck Bartok
 Veteran Entrepreneur now SharingGraham & Dave & Valerie Too Nice to see level heads here. Love Dave's post... Today on our Live Talk Show , we dicussed chapter 4 of Haanle's book The Master key Emphasis on Silence...at the right time Beacuse of the mis-information and misleading advertisements, my associate Pat Ritrosky & I are trying to point people to a very simple Risk Free Marketing system that does generate Reasonabl Positive Cash Flow. Valerie is probably asking how is this on track of speeches... well we are encopuraging the use of Audio and are working closely with those joining to improve theri Speaking Talents... After all we were all born e=qually with the ability to communicate. Some have just have allowed Society to sort them. Anyone interested, check out he simple audio presnetation http://bspellbound.info The listen to one of our newest "protoges" Mike Harry from Maryland http://cgbar.web.aplus.net/mike Just a few weeks ago Mike did not think he could do this.. Now the world can't keep him quiet... He started an Audio Newsletter. By jingo Pat Ritrosky, we created a "monster" Anyone reading wanting to learn more on HOW THEY EXPRESS THEMSELVES TO THOUSANDS efffectively, PM me or call my Direct line 530-798-0245 You are all a wonderful community!!! Jun 20th 2007 01:19 |
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Chuck Bartok
Veteran Entrepreneur now SharingWow ir is late, Sorry about the Typos, Valerie. The reason I do more Audio than write is poor cor-dination. And I was nodding trying to finish the note. I 'll take more time next post Jun 20th 2007 01:33 |
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Lisa Lomas
Hi Valerie, Great topic, I used to get so nervous, sometimes I still do but I think breathing and having fun can really help. Also a topic you know about is really interesting as then you can have a question and answer section. It seems to work for me. Lisa CMU7 Jun 20th 2007 03:45 |
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Graham Hunt
Like you Lisa I have found breathing to be really helpful. I'm so alive when I breathe it's amazing. But seriously, one of the most important aspects of public speaking is the space between the words. I have actually used anything up to 20 seconds of silence to get a point across. It is something like an acting performance on stage where ifeverywordwasruntogetheritwouldmakenosense. Half a dozen deep breathes before actually starting to speak can overcome nerves as well as give you extra capacity so you don't run out of breath before the first sentences if finished. One other thing I found helpful, particularly when I was just starting out in the realm of public speaking was to write a full text of what I wanted to say and then read that out aloud to myself to hear what it sounded like. The written word read aloud can often sound quite awkward if you use correct grammar. However, if you can learn to write the way you speak then speak what you have written it comes across a lot more naturally. Jun 20th 2007 04:40 |
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Mark Stephen Hauser
martinezshopper.webs.comI agree that breathing is very important. To keep everyone's interest, I think you should make good contact across the audience if possible, don't just stand there, put perhaps walk around a little if you can, memorize your lines to free yourself from the grip on that podium, use hand gestures and good facial expressions, and above all, "a picture is worth 1000 words" if you can find a way to interject some into the thing. Thanks, Stephen http://www.apsense.com/group/100225 Jun 20th 2007 07:48 |
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Marie Gervacio
 Brilliant Body Success CoachGreat subject Valerie! Writing especially for a short-attention spanned internet audience can really cause the "glossy-eyed" syndrome. Telling stories the reader can relate to, keeping points to the point and keeping your readers interests in mind are essential when you want to pull audience in and keep them with you. Visual aspects of your written piece are also important. Some people may actually defer from reading an excellent piece if they see big paragraphs. Bite size information is essential for the "eReader". * Use bullets when you can * Keep paragraphs short. Keeping relevant information together so the writing flows rather than choppy thoughts should go without saying but need stating. And don't forget what Dave said... don't be long-winded. Make your point and bow out gracefully. Shine Your Star! Marie Jun 20th 2007 09:05 |
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Linda Corby
 AuthorGood advice Valerie, You got that right, well said my friend! I was actually trained by R.A.D.A (that is The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). I am used to standing up and speaking in public, used to show-jumping in front of thousands, and I stood for election in 1999 in St Peters Parish in Jersey. I have just got to comment on what Graham had to say. In the main I just have to agree with you Graham, but not all sales pages are the same, if you look at my sales page here http://www.cometogrief.co.uk (I am using this here as an example and do not expect you to buy anything.) Now on this sales page I have actually explained why I am selling what I have for sale there, and you can also affiliate to its sales there, as well as get an email series that has nothing to do with selling anything. Sometimes people are selling things for reasons other than massive financial gain, sometimes money is not the main objective and that is the type of person that I most try to help on the internet or off it for that matter. Sometimes people are genuine! Now as Dave put it, 'I've said enuf' otherwise this would turn into a novel! Jun 20th 2007 13:33 |
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Lisa G.
 Health Wellness & Wealth ConsultantThank you so much, Valerie and Graham. Both of your ideas...belive me..are extremely helpful! I think I have more butterflies about my sons speech, than he does..lol. I appreciate the wonderful advice. I will let you know how it turns out. Next question, how do you control happy tears, I always dread crying...and I always manage to do so... at these special milestone events. Deep breathing works for that too? lol Thanks guys! Lisa Jun 20th 2007 20:20 |
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Graham Hunt
Believe it or not yes it does Lisa...And don't try to control the tears. If that's who you are, that's who you are. Holding them back is ultimately more detrimental to your wellbeing than the slight embarrasment of the moment. Besides, true friends understand and will share your moment with you. Those who don't,..... well that's who they are. Jun 20th 2007 20:37 |
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Dave Fullmer
Internet Marketing Mentor/coachI've already had one say in this thread, so maybe I shouldn't stick my nose in again, but I've never been bashful to get into a discussion. I read somewhere recently one persons advice on writing. He called it his 1 - 2 method. First he makes a statement and second he tells a story to illustrate the statement. I thought back on different books I had read through the years about self improvement and realized he was right on target. The ones that grabbed my attention so that I couldn't put them down were ones that used his 1-2 method.. So if you want to keep someone's attention, make your statement and tell a story about someone or something that illustrated the statement. Someday, maybe I'll learn how to do that. Dave Jun 21st 2007 17:14 |
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Lisa G.
Health Wellness & Wealth ConsultantHi! I just wanted to update anyone who had read about my little guy giving a speech. He did a great job! The advice that I gathered from this group really helped him a lot! Thank you! He is so confident in giving speeches now, that he hopes to try out for his intermediate school graduation in two years from now. I caught every second on film. Hey, I did not cry either...that was a miracle..lol. Specai Thanks to Valerie & Graham from Josh!!! Jul 11th 2007 19:45 |
Thanks for the advice.
My 11 year old volunteered to give a speach at his elementary graduation on the 29th June. I am so nervous for him. He has worked on it a lot. I personally have never made a speech in my lifetime..maybe a short toast or two...lol
Any advice for him? He wants to say a little bit about all 7 years (including his kindergarten there) His speech seems to be all I..I..I.. He seemed offended when I mentioned..perhaps having some we in it. What do you think?
I know this is a little bit off the subject of business, but I thought maybe I could slip it in..lol..since it's about giving speeches.
Thanks in advance.
Jun 19th 2007 20:43