July 20, 2010
Welcome to the July Issue of Speaking-Out-Loud write-out-loud.com's monthly E-zine to help you effectively 'talk your walk'.
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Happy speaking,
Susan
In this Issue
If you don't have time to read the whole ezine, click on the topic that interests you. This month you will find:
Susan's Spiel
How to Introduce a Guest speaker
This month's Article focuses on getting an introduction right.
Understand the purpose behind those two minute welcome to-the-floor speeches and apply a little pizzazz to the structure
and you'll really set the scene. Your guest speaker will love you for it.
Introducing Yourself! How many times have you been asked to say a few words to introduce yourself to a new group of people? What do you say?
Can you prepare a small 'who-am-I' speech in advance? What's a good way to put your best self forward?
If you're prone to fits of the dithering blithers in this situation, find out how stop them by planning an effective simple self introduction speech.
Have you got a Well Dressed Voice.
Do you want to be a leader?
If you do, then part of your essential tool kit is a well dressed voice. You need the vocal qualities that your listeners will want hear. What are they?
Find out more in this special Well Dressed Voice report only for Speaking Out Loud subscribers.
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Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this month's Speaking-Out-Loud!
Happy speaking,
Susan
Article
How to Introduce a Guest SpeakerYou will have sat through introduction speeches that made you yawn. They were probably cobbled together at the last minute and although not intended to detract from the guest speaker, they didn't exactly boost or welcome them either.
To avoid the boring introduction speech trap read on.
Tips to make your introduction speech successful
- Consider tone and language use. Is what you've prepared appropriate for the occasion, audience and your guest speaker? Have you avoided cliche?
- Check the length of your speech. Pertinent and pithy - short and sweet is what you want. One to two minutes should be enough.
- Do not exaggerate or 'puff' the speaker's achievements in a way that may embarrass them or cause the audience to question their right to be there.
- Always check your facts and if you wish to mention something that may be sensitive ask permission before you announce it in front of an audience.
- Cover only enough in your introduction to make the coming speech eagerly anticipated. Do not stray into telling the audience what the guest speaker's speech will cover in detail.
- Practice out loud until you are confidently fluent and able to convey the pleasure or enthusiasm the audience needs to get them in the right frame of mind.
Click the link to get all the information you need on preparing a great guest speaker introduction speech now. You'll find an example speech too!
Introducing Yourself
How to Confidently and Competently Introduce Yourself
One of commonest ways of breaking the ice in a new group is to have each member give a brief self introduction speech.
Usually the leader will start and around the group you go, one by one. What do you say? What will interest people? And more importantly if you're anxious, what will stop the fear of making a fool of yourself and blurting out the first thing that comes into your head?
First impressions count so let's look at the elements that go together to make a good self-introductory speech.
- Stating your name clearly
- Placing yourself - where you are from, the organisation you belong to, the position you currently hold
- Background - what can you share that is related to the group's core purpose for meeting? Is it an event, experience, a particular skill or educational qualification?
- Interest, passion or goal - what particularly interests you? What drives you? What is the personal goal you want to achieve within this group?
- Sharing personal details - hobbies or pet peeves
- Unity - what do you share in common with someone else in the group?
Never sell yourself short again. Find out more about structuring a successful self-introduction speech and use the example as a template for one of your own.
The Well Dressed Voice
Are you a leader?
Do you want to be a leader?
One of the less known facts about inspiring leaders is the role their voices play in attaining and maintaining power. Think about the leaders you know. Now hear their voices in your mind. What qualities do they have that support their ability to influence? Your voice has the potenial to inspire too.
If you're an aspiring leader you'll want to know more. Looking the part is not enough. You must sound it too.
The elements or vocal qualities that combine to become the well dressed voice are here in a downloadable PDF only available for Speaking Out Loud subscribers.
You'll find helpful tips and suggestions to ensure your voice matches your aspirations. And believe me, it's much easier to achieve what you want to when it does.
Click the link to get your grooming kit for a Well Dressed Voice
I hope you enjoy it.
(You'll need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to open and read this PDF. If you haven't got it, it's free and available here. A new window will open so you can download without leaving this page).
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Thank you for reading the July Issue of Speaking-Out-Loud. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please feel free to contact me with any questions through the form at the foot of the Speaking Out Loud Page. I love hearing from my readers!
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Until next time,
Happy speaking,
Susan