August 2011 Newsletter
Use Non-Comic "Shticks" to Help You Think on Your Feet and Seat.
Speaking impromptu is hard. Ask the average person in a meeting to “update us on the project you’re working on,” and if they’re not prepared, you hear a disorganized mess.
It’s just show up and throw up.
But if you have trouble coming across as organized in impromptu settings, you might take a lesson from comics who rely on repeated routines to churn out reliable laughs.
These repeated routines are called “shticks”. And if you want to learn how to quickly organize your thoughts in a meeting, you should consider developing your own shtick. Such routines can help make you sound smooth impromptu.
How Good are You at Spotting Fake Smiles?
There’s a cool test on BBC’s website that measures your ability to know when someone’s smile is genuine. To take the test, click here.
Here's a hint. The secret is watching the eyes.
Here’s the debriefing given by the website on how to tell the difference between a real and a fake smile.
Survey Details PowerPoint Pet Peeves
Check out this study of what bothers people the most about PowerPoint. In the online survey, people were asked to list the top three things that irked them most when watching a PowerPoint presentation. Almost 700 people responded.Asking for Small Commitments in a Sales Presentation Can Pay Off with Big Orders
Call it the small commitment paradox. You’ll make more sales if you ask for less at the end of your sales pitches.
That’s right. Asking for less yields more, according to a study detailed in “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive” a book by Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert B. Cialdini.
Public Speaking Tip from Johnny Cash.
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After about three lessons, the voice teacher said, "Don't take voice lessons. Do it your way."
Those are the words of Johnny Cash. He had a unique singing style. Fortunately, his voice teacher recognized that style and decided to leave it alone.
At Speechworks, we work hard to help our clients identify and bring out their own best speaking styles. Once we find that great style, we're going to work hard to help you hone that style and use it well.