Public Speaking Skills Essentials: Learn From The Good, The Bad, And The Boring
Here are a few tips for you from my colleague TJ Walker http://www.tjwalker.com
TJ says:
To be a great speaker, you need to be a student of all types of speakers—the good, the bad, and the boring. Whenever I am listening to a presentation I like to sit as close as possible to the speaker I am going to hear.
Yes, this means walking up to the front and sitting in the middle of the front row. It can be a bit unnerving at times but it affords you the perfect view for examining a presenter.
Most of us, when attending a seminar, conference, or large group meeting are very much inclined to sit toward the back. By picking a safe seat we can blend into the crowd, avoid being called on, play with our blackberrys, or sneak out the back. We all need to do these things occasionally, but I encourage you to try sitting in the front. Keep in mind, the first time is always the hardest.
There are several advantages to sitting front and center:
1. You can observe the speaker without distractions from other people.
2. You are less likely to distract yourself because you are less likely to doodle or get distracted by your PDA.
3. It is simply more interesting to see someone up close because you can always hear and see better.
When you see a speaker doing something you like or that you judge to be effective, it is easier to make notes on it when sitting up front. Other then when I have to leave early, I always try to sit in the middle of the front row.
The only other exception is when I want to gage the audience’s opinion of a speaker in which case I will stay on the side, in the middle of the room (occasionally standing) to see if people are sleeping, or if they are invigorated.
Remember, every speaker you hear, regardless of their skill level, is an opportunity for you to improve your own speaking skills.
