| Now that we have appreciated the importance | | | | trust them! You can ask for more eyes if you |
| of awareness, what's next? Simple, you ASK | | | | are comfortable. In my opinion, the more the |
| for feedback. That will be your second step | | | | merrier. If possible, find every chance to |
| in deepening your awareness of your public | | | | record your speech. Esp. if it is a humorous |
| speaking skills. Yet this is a step that most | | | | speech as you can judge the success by the |
| people - read egomaniacs - have problem with. | | | | intensity of laughters by your audience. And |
| (grins) | | | | if you can videotaped your speech, even |
| | | | better! |
| If you find yourself reacting strongly or | | | | |
| denying, you are one of them! Tear down your | | | | And then proceed to do your thing! |
| defense mechanism for a short while and see | | | | |
| if this "know-it-all guy" (that's me!) has | | | | AFTER YOUR SPEECH |
| something worth listening to. We are all self | | | | |
| conscious people and naturally, in our right | | | | Ask for feedback from your friends - tell |
| frame of mind, we would want to be | | | | them to be honest and objective. Did you |
| complimented. And this isn't a bad thing. It | | | | manage to do the things you told them you |
| motivates you. It tells you what your | | | | will do? Did it work for you? How could you |
| audience likes. But if you plan to tune out | | | | improve? How did they feel as an audience? |
| to the criticism or suggestions your audience | | | | |
| have for you, you are going to lose out in | | | | Ask for feedback from your audience as well. |
| the long run. You will have no idea about | | | | Ask them what they like and do not like about |
| your blindspots (see The First A: AWARENESS) | | | | your speech. Tell them to be honest (if you |
| and you have deprived yourself from taking | | | | sincerely don't mind). And as they share with |
| your public speaking skills up another level. | | | | you their feedback, you can either take |
| | | | mental notes or jot them down. Here are some |
| So where should you start? Here's something | | | | of the questions I will ask them. What do you |
| that I use frequently and it works very well | | | | think is my message? Is there anything unique |
| for me. Try it for size! | | | | about my speech? How could I improve? From an |
| | | | audience's point of view, do you have any |
| BEFORE YOUR SPEECH | | | | suggestions you have for me? Notice there are |
| | | | no negativity in my questions. Do that. Your |
| Get 2-3 trusted friends in your audience to | | | | audience will be more likely to be honest |
| evaluate your speech. (If you know no one, | | | | with you. Coz' a question like "Do you think |
| then make at least 1-2 friends before you go | | | | I have any weakness in my speech?" will often |
| on stage. It is part of my "Confidence | | | | reap patronizing answers like "Of coz not. I |
| Booster" strategy which I will elaborate in | | | | love your speech!" And even if they do that, |
| another entry). Tell them that you are | | | | ask them what part of your speech do they |
| working on a few areas. Say slowing down your | | | | like? Or why do they like your speech? |
| pace, adding a story, or practising | | | | |
| dramatization. Anything. And ask them to be | | | | In short, go deep! Collect as much info as |
| your eyes. Most importantly tell them to be | | | | you can. This is going to be helpful in your |
| honest. No patronizing (leave it to the rest | | | | third part when you take ACTION! |
| of your audience). That's why you got to | | | | |