So, I’m sitting here in the middle of a presentation at ECPA’s PUBu (formerly Publishing University). Yes, I’m actually typing this during a presentation. This is a very timely topic for me, and I wanted to take a few moments to express my thoughts on public speaking.
I do some public speaking myself, and I find the same challenge in that arena I do in many other aspects in my life: surpassing mediocrity. Why do an excellent job on something I can do just an ok job on? Note: I don’t usually acknowledge I believe this, but anyone who examines most of my life will see I am not committed to excellence. Do I then have room to point fingers? No, but I believe I can tell my audience, “I see this problem; I have the same problem. What can we do about it?”
This presenter is speaking on a marketing–related topic, his PowerPoint is useful, and his information is interesting. He, however, is not. He lacks proficiency with a basic public speaking skill: voice inflection. (Again, I am the same way.)
While neither he nor I am as bad as Ben Stein’s stereotype, we might as well be for all the extra effort people need in order to not doze off. When your voice is the basically the same tone during the bulk of your speech your audience will drop faster than Congress’ approval rating.
Here are a few points to help us speakers improve our voice inflection.
- Find good examples. We all know what we like in public speaking abilities, so when we find good role models we can take note of their use if voice inflection. Learn from the masters, grasshopper!
- Be purposeful about it. When you make it a point to inflect your voice, it encourages you to concentrate on improving that aspect of your speaking. We are also usually more successful in achieving goals we concentrate on.
- Practice. While it is quite the cliché, practice does make perfect. The more you practice inflecting your voice, the more natural your voice inflection will be.
- Be open to constructive criticism. Have people you know and trust listen to your practice and/or your actual speeches and have them constructively critique your delivery, especially your voice inflection.
- Cut yourself some slack. To err is human. So unless you’re a robot or a mutant alien – or you want to pass yourself off as a human – you will make mistakes; trust me when I say it won’t be the end of the world.
For more thoughts, read this excellent oratory article at The Art of Manliness.
Also, here is a good video from ExpertVillage.
Public Speaking Tips: Voice Inflection — powered by ExpertVillage.com
