Speaking Tips Two

EXHIBITS

A police officer thought his opening nervousness might show. He needed a few moments to feel at ease. He produced his exhibit right at the start. The skull had a bullet hole and he got attention to his talk and diverted away from his jitters. It got interest and gave him, a nervous speaker, time to settle in. (It turned out to be plastic, and the hole itself owed less to Smith and Wesson than it did to Black and Decker, but it still had impact).   

                         USING EXHIBITS

Display only when ready. Keep it totally hidden or alternatively on display but covered. (We know that example in the shrouded star-vehicle concealed at the motor show).

Let it be seen. Hold your exhibit out and for long enough so that everyone can see it. Don’t let it mask your face or muffle your voice. Remember we all lip-read. Address your audience, not the object. Watch for eye-contact all around the room.

                          
Now you see it - now you don't. When you are finished with the exhibit, put it aside. Don’t let it compete. (Incidentally the same goes for visual-aids like flip charts, overhead slides or computer graphics). When you no longer need the information – switch it off – turn to a new, blank page. Never let images compete with your spoken presentation.

A well selected exhibit, skilfully timed and displayed can have a major effect on the memorability of any talk.

PRESENTING AS A PAIR/GROUP

The major elements of the presentation made by a pair of speakers or more are exactly the same as any solo presentation. Preparation, content, delivery, audience- involvement, take-away material and so on. The strength of group presentation is that it allows each speaker to concentrate on his/her areas of speciality.
It can also offer support and training opportunity to the less experienced and, properly used, it can stretch the audience attention-span.
When planning, know who will be doing what and when.
Non-active speaker should remain seated, unobtrusive and attentive to the speaker. If performing tasks, use only the necessary minimum movement, avoid distraction.

Consider contrasts. Look for sections of the material which may be naturally divided and allocated to appropriate presenter. (e.g; gender: male/female voice. Job-description: e.g; engineer, administrator, driver, public-contact person).

Duration: Consider each segment-length and complexity and the audience attention-span.
Could the longer segment be divided and separated by another presenter? 

Ensure that the audience is orientated by a brief announcement about who is who - and why they're speaking. This can be done at the start or at the introduction of the new presenter, as appropriate. Each speaker-change presents an opportunity to 'punctuate' (ie: state briefly where we've got to and what the next segment will address).

Names. Use names. Find out some of your audience beforehand.

We. There is magic in that word. When the speaker changes the word 'you' to 'we' when in front of an audience we sound less superior and the audience has a chance to identify and bond with us.

Modesty. Nobody likes a bighead. We don't need to look and sound inadequate, but take care with those personal success stories, tune them finely, present them modestly. If an audience perceives bragging - even unintentionally - big negative factors switch in. Modesty inspires confidence and harnesses goodwill.

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