Making Public Speaking FUN! Part 4
Our expanding list of things to do to make your next presentation FUN is thanks to the contributors who found our query on HARO.
Let’s start today’s list with a tactic that’s fun for the speaker and for the audience (which makes the idea a keeper!), suggested by Karen Schafer of Simple Appeal:
“One thing we do is to use “toss out” prizes — I am a really bad toss so it makes it hysterical for my audience, plus they get a ‘prize’.
“Another thing we use are contests and we bait them throughout the entire 3 days and do something huge in the end.”
Cool idea, Karen. I’ve seen that idea used before with all sorts of things a speaker has tossed into an audience. Frisbees, chocolate kisses, toy soldiers, candy and more. It keeps the audience on their toes and of course as a member of the audience it puts urgency into the rest of the presentation!
What about a visual tool or enhancer?
Gregory A. Kompes, the Writerpreneur, is an online self-promotion expert.
He says “As a visual aid, I give out a 1 inch, wood cube. It’s an example of not being able to see all facets of an issue at one time. Audiences love them!”
Gregory offers an online promotion course here.
If you have a product or service that lends itself to show and tell, yup just like in first grade, the audience will usually go for it, especially if presented the right way.
Dale Bellisfield, RN, AHG, who works in Holistic Health and is a Clinical Herbalist says, “I’m an Herbalist-RN & love to lecture to health care professionals (docs & RN’s & med students) along with the general public about the safe use of herbs. I go beyond show & tell to passing around the herbs to sample–taste, inhale, apply, and create their own tea blends. Very fun and user-friendly.”
You can find Dale online at www.herbaldale.com.
What about the idea of having other audience members answer questions? If you feel comfortable enough and have good rapport with your audience, you might do as Paul Donehue of Paul Charles & Associates suggests:
“I’ve received very positive feedback on the technique of directing questions to specific individuals in the audience (called by name whenever possible via name tags,etc.) during speaking engagements. While a small minority have expressed discomfort at being singled-out or put on-the-spot, an overwhelming majority – surprising as it might seem – regularly applaud the practice and tell me it keeps them engaged and on their toes. A fair number of people also state that the time passes very quickly during these sessions. A convenient by-product, the audience feedback lends itself nicely to improvisation or to what I call “planned spontaneity.” The answers to many questions are quite predictable, thus serving as a lead-in to humor or to make a point, quite often bringing about enhanced audience buy-in as well. I began using this approach when conducting webinars in an effort to keep people involved and discourage multi-tasking. It has transitioned quite nicely to live gigs – try it and see!”
Thanks to all who shared their terrific thoughts and ideas for adding pizazz, frivolity, engagement and FUN to your presentation. We like to believe that using these tactics that are appropriate and that you’re comfortable with as a speaker (we doubt you’d use them ALL!) will help you become a better speaker faster.
