Public Speaking Tips - Prop It Up

Jill Bolte-Taylor uses a brain as her prop for her talk.

Prop’s are a powerful tool to use in your talks and in your presentations. They really come in handy when you do not have access to a projector to show your powerpoint presentation on your travels. There are some huge advantages of using props in your speech. It is time to add something new to your message...Let's Prop it up.  

Why use a prop?  

A prop attaches your lesson to an object serving as a visual association that connects a picture/object with an idea or thought. It helps the listener remember what you spoke about.  The even cooler fact about using a prop is that it can serve as a memory trigger years later!

I developed a talk about remaining distinct. I use an apple to illustrate sin to drive home my main message/power phrase… "Don’t Eat that.” My prayer is that anytime or at key times when the student see's an apple at the store or in their fridge, they will be reminded to remain distinctly different, not caving in to youth culture that is contrary to God’s Word.

Finding A Prop.

Let’s say you want to do a talk about changing the world. Your main message or power phrase is “You have the Power to Create Change.“ (Click here to find your power phrase and main message) 

Choose a word you want to emphasize. Let’s choose the word Change. Begin to list all the things that you can think of that change.

Example: Leaves change colours, chameleon’s, a baby’s diaper, remote control etc. (Call a friend to help you if you’re stuck.)

The remote control fits best with this talk as there are a number of angles and analogies that can be made with the remote control that you use to change the channel. Ie. Whoever has the remote, has the power. The signal must be aligned with the sensor in order for change to happen. Below is an example of how I would use it in a talk.

Example: Like the remote in my hand you too have the Power to change the channel. You have the power to change what you don’t like to see, like starving children, or online bullying. You have the Power to Change What You See.   

You can then use that remote for different sub points. ie. You have the power to Change what you Hear. Create different analogies with it, ie. Time with God enables you to pick up his signal.                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Prop's work so implement today and years later your students will come up to you saying, “I still remember the lesson you shared when you pulled out that wrench and you told us, We are never too screwed up for Jesus.” That is the Power of Props.

Tip’s and Hints

Tip: Using too many props in one talk can take away the effectiveness of the memory visual. I recommend not using more than 3 props as one great prop can go along way.

Hint: If you are struggling with nerves, use a prop in the beginning of your speech. It takes the eyes of your audience off of you and the attention is all on the prop. It will give you some time to warm up to your audience. 

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and is currently enrolled in Youth Speakers University.
Speaking Tips are from Alison’s Public Speaking Enhancement Workshop for any inquires message her today. http://www.ywop.ca

What You Wear Affects What They Hear

You are asked to speak for an event, how do you dress? Seriously this is a public speaking tip! Do you want to be taken seriously? Do you want to make a strong first impression? Researchers say that 60% to 70% of communication is non verbal. People assume things about you before you even open your mouth especially if you are a youth worker. You have something valuable to say so start off on the right foot.

Speaking of your right foot make sure you are wearing comfortable non noisy shoes. There are many thoughts that goes through a listener's mind, eliminate as many distractions as possible. I was speaking to a small group of girls when one of them out of the blue broke out and said, "I've just got to say something. Your vest is buttoned up wrong. It's been bugging me this whole time!" This was after I delivered 3/4 of the presentation. My shirt was a distraction to her from my message. This isn't a bad case of A.D.D. it can happen to anyone. Can you remember a time when you were blinded by someone's attire? Maybe it was a strand of hair that kept getting the Justin Bieber head shake every 30 seconds by the presenter.  Look in front of a mirror before you present to reduce the number of distractions.

You are looking through your closest trying to decide what to wear for your speaking engagement. 

Here is a simple rule I learned that will help you dress to impress: Wear one dress code higher than your audience.

If your audience is wearing blue jeans (casual), dress semi-casual or business casual. This includes relaxed pants, corduroy, khaki's with open collar shirts, and vest.
If your audience is business casual then dress semi-formal put on a jacket, a blazer ladies, and guy's you'll need a tie. Lastly if everyone is wearing semi-formal attire...You guessed it you go formal.

You've worked on your message and it's ready for delivery. Present your gift to the world in style and don't forget the wrapping.
For More information on dress code click the link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_code

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and has recently graduated from Youth Speakers University. Currently residing in Calgary she is also the Founder of The Young Women of Power Conference and Movement. To have her speak at a function email her at admin@itgspeakers.com  

NOT FUNNY!

You’re getting some laughs but at whose expense? Humour is important to add into your talk, but there are some things that you need to be aware of that your audience will not tell you to your face but have shared behind your back especially if you are working with young adults or older. There are 5 Things that people do to get laughs but really...THEY ARE NOT FUNNY. 

 YOU ARE NOT FUNNY WHEN...

1.     You Make Fun of Others. This includes other races, other faiths, or a specific person in your audience. Though you may get laughs it is at the expense of another. Females tend to be more empathic and concerned about the needs of others, making this kind of humour a turn off. Instead point the finger at yourself.  Self-deprecating humour is the way to go as no one involuntarily is put on the spot and you don’t have to worry about offending. Plus you help others learn to laugh at their own circumstances.

2.     You Speak With A Lisp to Mimic Gays. It’s hurtful. There are students that have questions about  their sexual identity and they are watching you wondering if they can confide in you, looking for safe places and safe people to disclose their secret or struggle. Students will not even think about inviting their gay friends to your youth group or church even if they are laughing. Why? Cause You are not SAFE! Plus... YOU ARE NOT FUNNY!

The Golden Rule of Comedy & Humour. If you are Spanish...You can make fun of Spanish people. If you have blonde hair you can make fun of blonde’s. If you have one arm, you can make jokes about people with disabilities. BUT to make jokes about Jews, people’s accents, Lesbians or Blacks when you are not one...You are treading on thin ice.

3.     You Tell Your Inside Jokes That Only Two People Get! I’ve seen people get up on stage and they thank whoever brought them there and for the next 10 minutes the front row filled with staff members are cracking themselves up, bantering back and forth. Yeah, it looks like the audience is having a good time, people are laughing, but they are not laughing with you because they can’t...They don’t get it. They’re laughing because it’s funny to see other’s laugh. But what have you really done? Excluded your audience. Keep your message inclusive so you can win all people. People are tired of cliques so don’t create a barrier between you and them in your message. If something happened that was funny, set it up to your audience and then let the jokes fly so they can join in the laughter too.

4.     You Find Yourself Adding “I Guess You Had To Be There” At The End of Your Story. Yeah, what seems funny in your head does not always translate well to your audience. Before you go public with what you are wanting to share, test it, practice it first. Check out Freytag’s Pyramid to help guide you as you tell your story. You do need and intro (setting up the characters and the setting) followed by Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and the Dénouement which is the conclusion or the resolving of the story. Remember that in English class!

5.     You Swear. They are not real laughs. Those are awkward, nervous I-can’t-believe-you-said-that laughs especially in a faith base or professional platform. Over time your influence will dwindle as swears are withdrawals out of your credibility and respect account. Don’t Do it. It’s not worth it.

Laughter is not always an indicator that you are funny. I have often given a half hearted laugh, just because I was in the front row or I was embarrassed for the speaker or comedian. Stay away from the above as we approach 2013 and you will continue to win over your audience. Not just one but many. 

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and is currently enrolled in Youth Speakers University.
 

Public Speaking Tips: Do's & Don'ts On Addressing Tragedies (Connecticut Shooting)

I was a youth pastor in my mid twenties when the twin towers fell on 9/11. The killings at Columbine were still fresh in my mind. I was furious with evil  emotionally charged. I did and said some crazy things when I was in the High School that day talking to students. CRAZY THINGS!

When historical tragedy takes place how do you deal with it? What do you say to students? This blog is about the do’s and don’ts in speaking about immediate current events. 

1.     DO - Take Care of You. Deal with the issue inside of you first. When the news came across the radio about the shooting in Connecticut I cried, I then bawled and then I was angry and then cried again. Before you go speaking about the issues, you need time to process what has happened  first.  

2.     DO NOT - Be Over ZEALOUS! During these times we can call our students to some big commitments or call them to an action that is not necessarily God’s idea but is emotionally charged. Encourage your students or even as a youth group to pray and seek God out in how you all can be an answer.

Mental Note: What God says to you is for YOU not your students. What you are feeling convicted or called to do is for you alone and does not mean God is asking your students to do the same. God will speak to your students. Ask them what He’s saying to them. 

3.      DO – Get all the facts. Think like a Chief police officer instead of a reporter. Don’t speculate or assume anything. Wait till the reports are in before speaking to them. And make sure your information is accurate as students will share what they hear you say.

4.     DO NOT – Speak to What You Do Not Know. Be careful how you use your platform as you can guide your audience to a certain/your conclusion which could lead to judgment and misguided information.  Judgment is then cast on to people like the shooter and their family when you don’t have information on them. That’s wrong. You don’t know their story. You didn’t walk in their shoes. Stick to the Facts. 

5.     DO – Help students Process.  2 Kings 1:16 “Is there no God in Israel to answer your question?” Have students turn to God. They too are emotionally charged. Some angered, others fearful, and some may be indifferent because they don’t know what to do with the information. It can be so easy to turn to media for answers or for them to turn to you. God speaks through His word so guide them to it. 

6.     DO NOT – Be Overwhelmed or Give Into Despair. What you do matters. Like the butterfly effect in the Chaos theory, small change can result in large differences at a later state. Let your students know every bit of good counts. Kindness and prayer is powerful. Prayer walks around their school makes a difference. Saying hello to someone they don’t normally speak to has an effect. The time you spend with students over lunch is making a difference. Be aware of how much media you and your students absorb. Time spent on your knees instead of in front of the tv will help bring a clear perspective on faith, hope and love.

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and is currently enrolled in Youth Speakers University.
Speaking Tips are from Alison’s Public Speaking Enhancement Workshop for any inquires message her today. http://www.inspiringteengreatness.com