======================================================= Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas E-Zine Volume 9, March, 2006 Published by Lenny Laskowski Copyright LJL Seminars(tm), 2006 All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------- LJL Seminars (tm) (203)375-5617 or Toll Free 1-800-606-4855 Fax: (800) 743-3314 www.ljlseminars.com ------------------------------------------------------- This E-Zine meets the requirements of the "Can Spam Act of 2003" (S.877), passed by President Bush on December 16, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: You are receiving this E-Zine because you have subscribed via our website or by email. If you did not subscribe, removal instructions can be found at the end of this newsletter. ================================================================= ------------- Lenny's Tip of the Month ------------------ Videotape & Analyze Your Speeches Using a Four-Step Approach by Lenny Laskowski © 2006 LJL Seminars http://www.ljlseminars.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- One of the best ways to improve your speaking skills and remove any superfluous mannerisms or language is to get an accurate perception of your body language and voice. Videotape yourself during an actual speech or presentation and then review this videotape. As painful as this may sound, watching a videotape of yourself can be the most tools you can use to improve your speaking skills. In order to get the most out of this, I have provided a four-step analysis process you can use to help improve your speaking skills. Once you are familiar with the process, you can use your own judgement depending on the speech situation. Here is a list of elements to look for when reviewing your videotape: -Posture -Gestures -Body Movement -Facial Expressions -Eye Contact -Voice Sit with a notepad and write down everything you notice about your body, language, and voice. Review #1. Review the tape without looking for particular mannerisims. Just listen to the presentation as if you were hearing it for the first time and evaluate the overall impact you experience from watching the tape. During this initial review, pretend you are a member of the audience and evaluate your reaction to the presentation, trying to separate the fact that you are watching yourself. This will be difficult. Here are a few questions to think about and ask yourself during this review. - Did I like the presentation? - Was it informative or entertaining? - Would I recommend someone else watch this video? Review #2. Turn off the sound and look only for visual distractions. Jot down notes on what you observe. Make two lists, one for the things you liked and another for the things you did not like. Don't worry of your list of cons is longer; each time you give a presentation your performance will improve. Look specifically for the following: - What did you do with your hands? - What were your facial expressions? - What did you did with your body? - Did you move around? Did you stand still? - Were there any mannerisms you found distracting or annoying? - Did you seem appropriately animated? Review #3. Darken the picture or turn your back to the TV so you cannot see yourself and listen to only your voice. Many people have never heard a tapoing of their own voice before except maybe on their answering machine. Become accustomed to listening to your voice, The first reaction I have had from most people when they hear themselves for the first time is, "That doesn't sound like me!" What happens is that when you hear your voice for the first time you are not hearing it from "inside" you rhead. While listening to your voice, focus on the following: - What do you like and not like about your voice? - How was the speed of your speaking? Was it too fast or too slow? - How was your tone of voice? - How was your pitch? Was it too high or too low? Review #4. After you have completed your list of pros and cons, ask one or two family members to wacth the tape with you. Get their initial impression. Have them take their own notes. Keep this list handy and tackle each negative point one at a time. And remember the posiive ones! Another important step is to gather all the notes and make another list. This is a list of those areas you believe need improvement. Make sure you are as specific as possible. Now take the items on the list and break them down into the following categories: - Voice and tone. This includes the tone of your voice, speed, pitch, and any verbal distractions suach as uhms, uhs, ers, and ya knows. - Nonverbal actions. List them specifically by the parts of your body such as your hands, facial expressions, legs, arms, walking patterns, and so on. Don't be surprised if the list is long. That's okay. All novice speakers will have a long list when they first begin giving presentations. With practice, practice and more practice, you eventually will see fewere areas you want to start working on immediately. Make a conscious note of these areas and observe and listen to how you speak during your everyday activities. The next time you are at a party, business meeting, or with a friend see if you notice any of these distracting mannerisms. Also, do you notice any of these distractions while talking on the telephone? Each time you speak, make an effort to eliminate or replace the distracting mannerism with a verbal or nonverbal technique. Practice every day. By making adjustments and changes in your everyday speaking style, you will find it easier to apply these strategies to your more formal speaking engagements such as a presentation at work, a toast at a wedding, or a speech to a large group. Another helpful tip is to keep a journal after each presentation. Take a few moments to reflect on your speech. Make notes about your strengths and weaknesses and write a brief summary on your speech topic, the audience, and any other factors that will come in handy for future presentations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ======== Programs, Products and Services ================= (For more details see below) New Customer Service Programs ------------------------------------------------------- Presentation Skills / Public Speaking Programs ------------------------------------------------------- The "Public Speaking Audio" CD Series ------------------------------------------------------- "Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas" seminar ------------------------------------------------------------ Lenny Laskowski is an international professional speaker and the author of the book, 10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking and several other publications. Lenny is also available for hire to speak to your organization, college or association. Lenny also provides in-house seminars and workshops. Hire Lenny today and receive 100 FREE copies of Lenny's National Best Selling Book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking". Why not contact Lenny today for your next function or event. Your can reach Lenny at 1-800-606-4855 or E-mail him at: Sales@LJLSeminars.com. You can also write to us at: Lenny Laskowski LJL Seminars (tm) 430 Freeman Avenue Stratford, CT. 06614-4026 United States of America