Speak First Newsletter - November/December 2006
In recent months we’ve focused our attention on providing you with tips to help you present more effectively and influence others. This time we’re shining the spotlight on dealing with the media. Whatever your role we think you’ll find Richard Miron’s media tips fascinating, and check out our five secrets of successful presenting. Enjoy this issue and remember to enter our competition to win a free open course place and a bottle of champagne to help your Christmas celebrations go with a bang.
Warm wishes
Amanda and Jackie
In this month's issue...
- Win positive coverage for your company with our top ten media tips from BBC journalist and Speak First trainer Richard Miron
- Five secrets of successful presenting
- Answers to reader's prize winning question about presenting - How to deal with interruptions and disruptive behaviour
Enter our competition to win a bottle of champagne and a free place on one of our open courses
Understanding the media - Top Tips for getting the coverage you want
It can be hard getting media visibility, yet free coverage for you and your company is invaluable for promoting you, your brand or a specific product or service you offer. Media coverage can either generate new business or drive it away. The challenge is not only how to get exposure but to ensure you get your key message across in the way you want. BBC and Speak First journalist Richard Miron has put together ten tips to help you understand how to head off potential problems with journalists and get the results you want. Click here for a few choice points that will increase your understanding of the media and influence coverage.
Five secrets of Successful Presenting
What scares you most? If you’re like most people it’s having to stand up and speak in public. That’s the number one fear around the world – dying comes in at number two!
Why do so many people panic at the thought of having to give a presentation? For some it’s the fear of forgetting what they’re going to say. For others it’s making a mistake or getting something wrong. But it doesn’t have to be that way. As many of those who’ve been on one of our courses know very well, speaking in public can be both pleasurable and rewarding.
To help you polish up your presentations, here are five secrets of successful presenting.
- Be an adviser they can trust
Have your client’s interests genuinely at heart. Don’t go in there selling with an agenda that has nothing to do with their needs
- Keep it simple – less is more
The human brain can only take in so much information before it switches off. Say it clearly. Get to the point. Keep it simple
- Think about gestures and voice
Over 90% of your impact comes from your voice and body language. To create a positive and confident impression stand tall, use gestures and speak clearly and audibly
- Show energy and enthusiasm
Be enthusiastic about your product or service. If you’re not why should the audience be? Tell them about the benefits they will gain and how you can solve their problems
- Engage with others
You need to gain rapport and generate interest in what you have to offer. The best way to do this is to be yourself. If you put on a performance you’ll feel anxious. When you are yourself your confidence increases.
No matter how good you are at presenting you can always get better. Why not use these tips, read a book or – if you’re really serious – sign up for a course and take your presenting to the next level.
Answers to reader's questions about Presenting
This month's Prize Winner
A bottle of champagne and a place on one of our public courses was awarded to this month's winner, for their question on how to deal with disruptive audience members.
The winning question in full: How would you suggest one deals with the expert in the audience who continually interrupts with ‘Yes but…’ questions or observations, designed to showcase their knowledge? It can be useful to have one or two of these to expand/clarify issues, but it can be disruptive to a presentation, particularly if issued in a challenging manner.
Answer from our experts: We refer to these ‘experts’ as Hijackers. Occasionally they deliberately behave in a manner which will jeopardise the outcome of your presentation. When you suspect this is happening, you need to take control by reminding the audience of the objective and time limits of the meeting, for instance: "We’re here to decide on the re-organisation of the department and we only have this morning to complete the exercise".
More often than not Hijackers are unaware they’re being disruptive and so you can use a softer approach. The important thing is not to be defensive or argue with them. Ignoring or criticising them will only make matters worse.
The ‘expert’ wants to draw attention to their experience, greater knowledge or seniority. If possible, gain their support before the meeting by privately acknowledging their expertise. During your presentation, stick to your experience and well documented evidence which cannot be disputed. If the expert starts to monopolise, turn away when you answer the expert’s question and address the whole group. If necessary, indicate that you want to have balanced participation.
Some Hijackers are genuinely seeking more information or clarification. Sometimes they simply enjoy being in the spotlight. If you’re likely to be covering the material later in your presentation, say so, for example: "Could I ask you to hold fire as I think all will be come clear in a moment". If answering the question will cause the audience to lose the thread of your argument, suggest that you postpone your answer until the conclusion. Answering questions can disrupt a well structured presentation and you have to judge whether your audience will gain from hearing unplanned material at a specific stage in your presentation.
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