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