Find Your Core Message

    

When you first start preparing your presentation or speech, the most important thing you must do is to figure out the core message of your speech. What is the one thing that you are trying to achieve with the speech? Which one concept/idea do you want your listeners to understand and remember? Or, alternatively, what one single action do you want your listeners to take after they’ve heard your speech? 

·        Finding your core message is about forced prioritization. What’s the most important thing that you want to convey to the audience?

·        Write out your core message on a piece of paper in less than 20 words

·        Your core message will help you decide what to include and what to discard. If a story/statistic emphasizes the core message, include it; otherwise, save it for another speech

·        Ruthlessly cut out anything that is not directly related to the core message. You will have a highly focused speech which the audience will remember and thank you for. 

Bottom Line:

If your audience was to forget everything else that you said, what is the one single thing that you would want them to remember? Share

Stupidest Presentation Mistake

Warning: 

This is a rant, and it's a venting of my fury about the biggest mistake that most presenters make when preparing for an upcoming presentation. As such, strong opinions are contained in the paragraph below. Don't expect me to be nice. Don't expect me to be considerate of your feelings. Heck, don't even expect proper grammar or punctuation...this is a rant, and it's one that most presenters deserve to hear. 

"Let's Make a Powerpoint" 

At University, students get the opportunity to practice their presentation skills. I've been a part of these groups. The Professor announces, "Next week, each group will present their proposals". And without fail, one of the team members will immediately turn to the rest of the group and say, "Great, let's make our Powerpoint!"

What's Wrong with this?

• Content creation should come first. Powerpoint should be the last thing you do.
  
• Brainstorm your ideas first and then decide whether you REALLY need Powerpoint. Creating a Powerpoint, most of the time, isn't the best method to persuade and inspire.

"It's Visual Aid"

• The most frequent excuse people give me as to why they create Powerpoints is that "It's visual aid for the audience". My response? Bullshit...
• You are using your Powerpoint as a crutch! Students use the words, "Let's make a Powerpoint" not because they believe that it will help the audience, but simply because they want the safety of being able to continually refer to the Powerpoint in case they forget what they have to say. 

"Everyone ELSE uses it as a Crutch, but NOT ME"

• You say that you don't use Powerpoint as a crutch? You say that you use it simply because you want to help the audience remember the information better?
  
  Okay, let's see. If you're correct, then you should be able to give the presentation WITHOUT having to refer to the Powerpoint. If you refer continuously to the Powerpoint, then Powerpoint is your crutch. Instead of using notes that you hold in your hand, you're simply using notes that you project on a screen...

Okay, Please Give me a Solution!

• Prepare your CONTENT first. Brainstorm your ideas. Create a structure. Decide on which points you're going to use and what anecdotes and quotes you're going to use to support those points.
  
• After you've got your content, decide if it's appropriate to use Powerpoint. Many times, it probably isn't.
• If you are going to use Powerpoint: keep Content Creation and Powerpoint design as two different stages. Don't use your Powerpoint to create your content! Content first, powerpoint later... 
• Stop using Powerpoint as a crutch. You should know your content inside out without having to refer to the screen. Try this...during your practice run, turn off the Powerpoint. See if you can give the presentation without needing the help of "notes projected on the screen".

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How to Open Your Speech

If you want to set yourself up for success, then it’s vital that the first 30 seconds of your speech catches your audiences’ attention, arouses their curiosity and makes them feel that your speech is worth their time. Use these principles to get your audience hooked onto your every word right from the beginning:

 Do NOT open with a standard ‘Thank-you’ introduction. You can thank your hosts and audiences later, after you’ve built a connection with them.


Avoid opening with a Joke, especially if you aren’t a gifted humorist and haven’t tested the joke before. To add humour to your speech, use a witty quote instead. 

Use one of the four proven Opening Gambits to open with a bang:       

 

o  Start with a Story

o   Use Questions to Create a Knowledge Gap

o   Use Quotable Quotes to gain extra Credibility

o   Open with an Intriguing/ Startling Statement 

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Choosing Your Presentation/Speech Title

It's important to choose an important title for your presentation/speech. Here's a list of questions to ask yourself when choosing a speech title. If you can answer YES to a majority of these questions, then voila! you've found your perfect presentation title.

• Does it stress benefits or results for the audience?
  
  
• Does it stress WIIFM (What's In It For Me)?
  
  
• Does it reflect the theme of the program?
  
  
• Does it create curiosity for the audience?
  
  
• Does it play off a well-known title or phrase?
  
  
• Is it easily remembered?
  
  
  Bottom-line...does it sound like something you don't want to miss?
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Metaphor, Simile and Analogy: What’s the Difference?

Now that we know metaphors can be powerful persuasion tools, let’s make sure everyone is on the same page from a definitional standpoint. Common sources of confusion for the metaphorically inclined include the simile and the analogy.

While all three are closely related, it’s smart to understand the differences. The distinctions among metaphors, similes and analogies will also help to underscore why you may want to use one and not the other in certain situations.

Let’s take a look at definitions:

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses one thing to mean another and makes a comparison between the two. The key words here are “one thing to mean another.” So, when someone says “He’s become a shell of a man,” we know not to take this literally, even though it’s stated directly as if this person had actually lost his internal substance.

Simile

A simile compares two different things in order to create a new meaning. In this case, we are made explicitly aware that a comparison is being made due to the use of “like” or “as” (He’s like a shell of a man). For fun, the next time someone corrects you and says “That’s a simile, not a metaphor,” you can respond by letting them know that a simile is a type of metaphor, just like sarcasm is a type of irony. Resist the urge to be sarcastic in your delivery.

Analogy

An analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two different things are similar, but it’s a bit more complex. Rather than a figure of speech, an analogy is more of a logical argument. The presenter of an analogy will often demonstrate how two things are alike by pointing out shared characteristics, with the goal of showing that if two things are similar in some ways, they are similar in other ways as well.

About the Author
The above article has been republished from Copyblogger. You can check out the Copyblogger blog by visiting this link: http://www.copyblogger.com/ Share

Best Marketing Advert Ever!

What can the "Best Marketing Gimmick Ever" teach you about effective communication?

As you'll see for yourself soon when you "play" the advert (link at the end of the article), you'll realize the communication skills lessons.

1. Audience Involvement - people learn best when they are involved. In this marketing gimmick, you are physically involved (controlling the right, left keys on your keyboard) and don't even care that you're prey to a clever marketing gimmick. When you give a presentation, involve the audience by asking them questions, getting them to physically move around, playing games with them

2. People like Games! People like fun things. The marketing gimmick is fun. During the game, you get to drive around, jump into different hotel rooms. When you give a presentation, keep it fun...use lots of humour, keep the atmosphere "light", use games to get your point across

3. Go try out the marketing gimmick for yourself (It may take a while to load), but it'll be worth it: http://pleasurehunt.mymagnum.com/
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Your 50 Top Achievements?

Recently I read a book which talked about the importance of writing down your achievements. Many people underestimate themselves because they don't give themselves enough credit for their achievements. What are your Top 50 achievements? If you think hard enough, you'll manage to come up with 50. Here's mine:

Public Speaking Achievements

1. Working as a public speaking coach and trainer, leading workshops for high schools, Universities and Professional Associations. To date, I've conducted over 80+ workshops and speeches.

2. Run a highly popular public speaking blog: http://www.public-speaking-hong-kong.blogspot.com/


3. Authored  a 50 page guide called 'Secrets of Superb Speeches' (being sold at HK $80). Currently writing a second book for the general public + have plans to create a presentation skills DVD


4. Grew a public speaking community of 1600+ (and growing) fans on my Facebook fan-page: http://www.facebook.com/publicspeakingcoach, Join Me for daily speaking tips!


5. Set up a presence on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/akashspeaker?feature=mhum. Subscribe and check out my videos to receive video tips on how to become a powerful presenter and persuader.


6. Sharing public speaking tips on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Speaking_Coach. Let's connect on Twitter!



"YES, I Can" Wins


7. Transformed from a shy introvert into a person confident in my own abilities (and I'm still working at it). Now I enjoy teaching the skills I learned to other students struggling with social shyness.


8. Failed the entrance examinations and got rejected from Isamilo International School. On my third attempt, I passed. When I graduated, I graduated as a School Prefect and with a Distinction in my academic transcript (one of Top 5 students in the class). 


9. Almost failed my first Economics examination. After some encouragement from my teacher, I graduated with an A* in my IGCSE-Economics examination (as well as the award for 'Best Economics student').


10. Won the award for 'Best in Kenya' for A-Level Economics because I received the highest marks in Kenya for my A-Level Economics examination (here > Search for Karia, Akash)


11. Struggled as a skinny boy until the age of 16, at which point my best friend and I joined the local gym. Last year, I set a personal record of dead-lifting 185kg, bench-pressing 90kg for 3 reps and squatting 110kg (@a lean bodyweight of approx. 70kg).


12. Struggled with Physical Education class in high school. When I graduated in 2006, my P.E. teacher awarded my the award for 'Outstanding Student' (for being Top 3 in the Class) and wrote in my report: "Akash is an astoundingly strong and impressive specimen". That comment had me gloating for days!


13. Travelled to Dubai as part of my high school Rugby team. Didn't get too much playing time, and no touchdowns, but had an awesome time nonetheless.


14. Tried out Stand-Up comedy at Take-Out Comedy in Hong Kong. Several laughs. Not going to be making millions as a stand-up comedian, but gave it a good shot!


15. Below average reader when I entered the 5th grade. Now, I read approximately one book a week and have devoured over 50 books in the past year alone. Check out my reading list here


16. Got rejected from Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Instead, I ended up at a fantastic university in Hong Kong which has allowed me to discover my passion for public speaking. God always has a plan. There's lots of improvements to be made, but I have always struggled and with help, eventually pull through to become a better me.

Awards and Trophies:

17. Champion - Toastmasters Area H2 Evaluation 

18. Champion - Impromptu Speaking  (Area H2)

19. Champion for HKUST Impromptu Speech Contest

20. Champion for HKUST Toastmasters International Speech Contest (2 years in a row) 

21. Best Presenter at Rusinga Economics Symposium

21. Won Best Resolution in Security Council at the East African Model United Nations

22. 1st Runner Up for Humorous Speech Contest (Area H2)

23. 1st Runner Up for International Speech Contest (Area H2)

24. 1st Runner Up for HKUST English Speech Contest

25. 1st Runner Up for Division H Impromptu Speech Contest

26. 2nd Runner Up for Division H International Speech Contest

27. Won a total of over 40+ other public speaking awards

28. Learned how to play chess on my computer. Won the Hindu Youth Union Chess Championship. Beat my computer at chess when I set it on beginner mode :)

29. Learned how to play Texas Hold'Em Poker. Started playing on PokerStars (no real money involved): began with $1000 playing chips, worked my way up to $90,000...never really managed to break the $100K mark though. Began wishing it was real money...!

Leadership Achievements

30. Elected President of my Toastmasters (Speaking) Club at University

31. Elected Head of School in my high school + Prefect in the previous high school 

32. Elected Leader for a brutal 5 day survival camp called Barbwire. Placed 2nd out of 5 teams and won the award for Best Team Spirit.

33. Elected Ambassador for the East African Model United Nations. Gave an impromptu speech about my experiences during Assembly and got lots of intended laughter and hand-clapping from the audience...I've been addicted to being up on stage ever since!

34. Appointed Team Leader the Rusinga Economics Symposium. We won the overall award for Best Team for our presentations on Globalization in Kenya. 


35. Founder of the 'High School Apprentice' program, which I started up in Greensteds School. Based on the Donald Trump show, I got an overwhelmingly positive result after the informal announcement and raised several hundred dollars within the first week for my online-magazine.

The Most Important Victories

36. Won the 'Family Lottery'. Have two loving parents who sacrifice a lot for me to be able to pursue my dream, and a cute and caring little sister whom I love dearly.

37. Have great relations with my large extended family and cousins, spending time together on most weekends.

38. Have a beautiful and healthy relationship with the love of my life, Chloe Sha.

39. Took a big step and told my family about Chloe, and they all lovingly accepted her.

40. Have best friends with whom I have shared very precious memories. These are the people who I truly cherish and can't thank enough for their support: Afshaan Admani, Aliridha Rashid, Alfaz Kanji, Salim Panjwani. 


41. Have an awesome group of friends at University!!

42. Never drank alcohol in my life and never will.

43. Never smoked and never will.

44. Never used harmful drugs and never will.


45. Upon a teacher's recommendation, wrote a proposal for a charity event called 'Stand-Up and Smile'. The event was approved by the Headmaster and we raised several hundred dollars for Operation Smile in Kenya.


46. Began volunteering to help the victims of the 2008 election violence. Raised money for a man called Peter so that he could restart his life. Watch my speech about this story here 

Attitude Achievements

47. Family first.

48. It ain't over till I win

49. Read, read, read...and you'll be able to improve any area of your life. 

50. Have a growth mindset. Everything can be improved through proper coaching, reading and guidance.

Raise the Energy: Discuss and Debrief

Discuss and Debrief (Video Example above)

If you want to quickly raise the energy of your audience, get them to remember and buy into your message, and break the monotony of you simply standing there speaking, use the Discuss and Debrief method. Most speakers ask their entire audience questions like, “What are some important factors to successfully undergoing change in your organization?” Chances are the audience will initially struggle to respond and the speaker will face an awkward silence.

The solution is to give them oil by loosening up their minds in the following way: “For 45 seconds, I want you to turn and talk to two neighbors of yours and discuss what you feel are some of the most important factors to undergo a successful change in your organization. You have 45 seconds. Ready? Go.” This is the Discuss part of the Discuss and Debrief method.

Immediately the energy rises as bodies move and people start communicating. The modality changes from you speaking to them speaking, thinking, and listening to each other. Remember, your audience wants to be heard too and this is a great way to accomplish that. Finally, after the 45 seconds are up, you say something like the following: “Okay, please turn back around up front. Let’s hear what you had to say. What are some of the most important factors for having a successful change?”

At that point, it might even surprise you how rapidly and effortlessly they shoot out responses. This is because they have loosened up their minds. They have gone from listening mode (when they listened to you) to thinking mode and their responses will most likely align with your point. Therein lies the genius of this method. If youget them to say it, rather than simply saying it yourself, they end up buying into your message much more fully and quickly. Plus, they have fun doing so. This is the Debrief part of the Discuss and Debrief method.

Why Does this Work? These are 4 Reasons to use This Method

1. It loosens up their minds so they can easily give answers during the Debrief section
2. It breaks up the speech and changes the modality
3. It facilitates movement into a more kinesthetic experience, which is how some people learn best
4. It raises their energy

About the Author
Craig Valentine is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. You can take advantage of his wealth of public speaking resources on http://www.craigvalentine.com/

Dry Mouth While Speaking? Avoid Caffeine!

Today, while giving an important speech, my mouth went dry! I began to struggle to move my lips and get my words out...The fact that I'd had 2 cans of RedBull, 2 shots of 'Lucozade Alert' and one cup of coffee to stay up overnight and write a speech didn't help :(

If you want to avoid getting a dry mouth while you are speaking, make sure you follow these two tips:

1. AVOID CAFFEINE OR ANY DIURETICS.

Coffee, soda, and other diuretics dry out the body and flush the system. You urinate more and lose fluids. So, naturally, you will struggle more with dry mouth if your system is highly caffeinated. Unfortunately, the two times that I experienced dry mouth syndrome, I'd broken the no-caffeine rule and had instead splurged down a can of Redbull. 

2. FULLY HYDRATE BEFORE SPEAKING.

Unless you will be speaking for more than an hour, you can fully hydrate without needing to use the restroom. Drink as much water as you can before going up to speak. Your adrenaline will shut down your urinating urge causing your bodyto remain hyper hydrated while you speak eliminated dry mouth. Be warned though, when you come  down from the adrenaline you will want a restroom close.

Simple, Mathematical Formula for Persuasion

The brain is split into two parts: the logical part and the emotional part. This is the reason why it's necessary to have both logic and emotion in a speech. Without emotion, a person might agree with you, but will continue doing the opposite of what you just told them.


Example? Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health (logic), but many people continue doing it because they're emotional brains haven't been convinced.


Don't only concentrate on adding knowledge ("You know you should stop drinking alcohol...It's bad for your health!"), also attach some emotion ("Think of how much suffering your children and wife are going through when they see you come home drunk")


PERSUASION = 
               (EMOTION + LOGIC) X PERSISTENCE


However, don't expect someone to immediately accept your arguments and stop smoking. This will take lots of persistence because habits take time to break. 


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World's Best Presentation 2010

Here's the winners of the World's Best Presentation Contest (2010). Notice the use of the shocking images to arouse disgust, alarm. Furthermore, notice that there's no clumps of texts or bullet points on the slides - so when you create your Power points, try and use high graphic images and use as little text as possible (no copying pasting chunks of data from Word to Powerpoint, please!)SMOKE - The Convenient Truth


Like this blog? Help Share because it'll make me happy!

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5 Step Universal Referral Script

This works for any industry, selling any product, for persons of any experience level:

1.  Transition Statement: “By the way Mrs. Jones, you may not know this about me but I really only prefer to work with people who are friends or friends of friends.”
   
   
2.  Service Statement: “I’m just trying to share this opportunity with as many qualified people here in ________ as possible.”
   
   
3.  Paint the Picture Statement:  “By chance do you happen to know anyone who is _______, ________, ­­­­_________, _________ (fill in 4 characteristics of your perfect client) who might be open minded to hearing about __________ (whatever service you provide)?”
   
   
4. Mental Rolodex Statement (memory jogger): “Think of people you know from…Family, Work with, church, neighbors, kid’s best friend’s parents, play softball, college etc”
   
   
5. Closing Statement: “Would you mind introducing us?”

About the Author

This article was written by Rory Vaden and was orignally published on his site: http://roryvaden.com. In 2007, Rory became the World Champion of Public Speaking first runner-up for Toastmasters International out of 25,000 competitors worldwideShare.

Writing a Speech: 5 Minute Solution

Writing a Speech: 5 Minute Solution
www.public-speaking-hong-kong.blogspot.com

Procrastinating?
Struggling to write that speech? 
Finish that essay? 
Complete that project?


Don't worry, I've been there. 
The best way to conquer procrastination is not to fight it, but to gradually seduce your way past it.


The best method I learned for overcoming procrastination is the 5-Minute Method (from the book SWITCH, by Chip and Dan Heath)


To fully explain this method, you first have to understand that the brain is split into two parts: the logical part and the emotional part. The logical part of your brain knows that its important to get your speech written, but the emotional part isn't willing to let go of the pleasures of surfing the Internet. Think of the emotional part of your brain as an elephant and the logical part of your brain as a rider. The rider (logic) is trying to control the elephant (emotion), but the elephant is much stronger than the rider.


The rider can not beat the elephant at a test of strength. It can not force the elephant to change it's lazy ways and take on enormous challenges. Instead, the rider must coax the elephant into starting the project, starting to prepare the speech, starting to write the essay...


What the 5 Minute Method does is that it convinces the elephant to start walking towards the goal. Let's say, for example, you have a very messy room. Looking at all the cleaning-up you have to do will probably turn-off the elephant. Instead, you can skilfully use the rider to seduce the elephant by saying: I'm going to set a timer for 5 minutes. I'll do as much work as I can. When the timer's up, I can stop if I like...


This method works perfectly because it shrinks the change. Instead of facing a daunting task of writing a completely new speech (or cleaning up your room), you now face a much more manageable task of just working for 5 minutes. 


The beauty of the 5 Minute Solution is that once you get the elephant moving in the right direction, it's much easier to get it to continue moving than it is to get it started. For example, after having written that first paragraph of your speech, you'll be more likely to continue writing the next few paragraphs; after having cleaned one corner of the room and seeing it spotless, you'll be much more likely to continue cleaning up.


Use the 5 Minute Solution to get your elephant started in the right direction; once you start, it'll be much easier to continue...


5 Minute Speech Writing Solution

• Set the timer for 5 minutes
• Write as much of your speech as possible (aim for at least one paragraph).
• Within 5 minutes, your creative juices will start flowing and you'll be much more likely to finish off writing the speech...I should know, because it's how I started writing this blog-post :)Share

Book List: Which of these have You Read?

"Never judge a book by it's price!" - Chloe Sha

I've kept a track of all the books that I've read in the last year, because I'm a book-aholic. I find it very difficult to walk into a book-store and walk out without a new book under my arms. I find it even more difficult to stay out of book-stores!

After reading an article by Rory Vaden (here), I decided to share the list of books that I've read over the past year. I have underlined the most influential books that I've read this year: 

1. Secrets of Superstar Speakers - Lily Walters

2. Say it like Obama and Win -  Shel Leanne

3. Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln - James C. Humes

4. Confessions of a Public Speaker - Scott Berkun

5. Speak for a Living - Anne Bruce

6. Writing Comedy - John Byrne

7. World Class Speaking - Craig Valentine

8. The Craft of Comedy Writing - Sol Saks

9. YES - 50 Scientifically Proven Strategies for Persuasion - Dr.Cialdini

10. So What? - How to Communicate What Really Matters to Your Audience

11. Life is a Series of Presentations: 8 Ways to Punch Up Your People Skills at Work, at Home, Anytime, Anywhere - Tony Jeary

12. The Success Principles - Jack Canfield

13. FISH - Stephen C. Lundin

14. Who Moved My Cheese? - Ken Blanchard

15. Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story - Jerry Weissman

16. Upselling Techniques: (That Really Work!) - Stephan Schiffman

17. Getting to YES

18. Presentations that Persuade and Motivate - HBS Press

19. Stand and Deliver: The Fine Art of Presentation - Ralph Kliem

20. DAMN! Why Didn't I Write That? - Marc McCutcheeon

21. The Speed Reading Book - Tony Buzan

22. The 7 Principles of Public Speaking - Richard Zeoli

23. Present Like A Pro - Cyndi Maxey, CSP

24. What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 - Tina Seelig

25. The Reagan Persuasion - James C Humes

26. Present Your Way to the Top - David J Dempsey

27. Give Your Speech, Change the World - Nick Morgan

28. What the Dog Saw - Malcolm Gladwell

29. Mitch Murray's One Liners for Business

30. The Black Swan - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

31. Made to Stick - Chip and Dan Heath

32. Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely

33. Sway: The Irresistable Pull of Irrational Behavior - Ori & Rom Brafman

34. The Happiness Hypothesis - Johnathan Haidt

35. One Week Job - Sean Aiken

36. Enchantment - Guy Kawasaki

37. Click - Ori and Ron Brafman

38. For One More Day - Mitch Albom

39. Have a Little Faith - Mitch Albom

40. Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom

42. Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard - Chip and Dan Heath

43. The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom

44. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki

45. Influence: Science and Practice - Dr. Cialdini

46. Blink - Malcolm Gladwell

47. Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell

48. How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

49. The Definitive Book of Body Language - Allan & Barbara Pease

50. Nudge - Thaler & Sunstein


51. Getting Things Done - David Allen

52. Psycho-Cybernetics - Maxwell Maltz, M.D.


53. Stumbling on Happiness - Daniel Gilbert

54. My Point is - and I Do Have One - Ellen DeGeneres 


55. Leading with My Chin - Jay Leno


56. Life's Golden Ticket - Brendon Burchard


57. Mindset - Carol S. Dweck, PhD


58. The Heart of Buddha's Teaching - Thich Nhat Hanh 


59. Million Dollar Speaking - Alan Weiss


60. The Zen of Social Media Marketing - Shama Kabani

61. Covert Persuasion - Kevin Hogan


62. The King's Speech - Mark Logue


63. Purple Cow - Seth Godin


64. The Dip - Seth Godin


65. Change Your Life in 7 Days - Paul McKenna


66. Instant Influence - Michale Pantalon


67. Instant Confidence - Paul McKenna


68. Millionaire Messenger - Brendon Burchard 

Currently Reading:

69. Make Your Life Great - Richard Bandler


70. Telling to Win - Peter Guber


71. Social Intelligence - Daniel Goleman


72. The Monk who Sold his Ferrari - Robin Sharma


73. Difficult Conversations - Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen

Which of these have you read? Any other recommendations? Drop me an email on akash.speaker@gmail.com