Comments on: 5 Reasons Why People Suck at Public Speaking

By: vasilica blohat

vasilica blohat — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:54:51 +0000

Public speaking is just like acting. You have to be relaxed, calm, warm, and to live in the moment. That way you can let your spontaneity and your creativity come out. I don't agree with the-tips-of-the-trade so to speak. Everybody has a public speaker inside waiting to come out, and i think that once you embrace your fears, you can do great!
Jon Stromberg

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:47:32 +0000

your not a good joke teller…yet

By: Bayu Aditya

Bayu Aditya — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:14:33 +0000

Very nice article! And the bad thing for me is I think I'm not a good joke teller >.<

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:19:39 +0000

Wow I love it Tiana. I think the concept of a 2 minute presentation is great! Your right, learning to do a speech in 2 minutes can help you get the point across and give you the versatility for timing it.

By: Tiana

Tiana — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:04:51 +0000

I took speech class in High School, later on the Dale Carnegie course. There I learned to do a 2 minute speech. That is the hardest thing to do, but once you master it, the ability to get your point across in such a brief speech, you can elaborate and become a good speaker.

Somewhere in the mid-80's I gave a speech about the pros and cons of home based businesses. The co-orinator told me 15 minutes. I practiced... 25 minutes! Cut and cut and practiced some more. Never was sure I was going to condense it to 15 minutes.

Time come for the talk, I had visual aids, I had a hand-out, I even told a joke. But I felt reaction from the crowd that told me I was doing fine. When I finished, the co-ordinator said I was exactly 15 minutes. But I had people come up to me and congratulate me for such a good presentation. I was kind of shocked, but it all came down to learning to do a 2 minute speech.

I have recently had to present an idea to a meeting. I did it in 2 minutes, and was again thankful for the Dale Carnegie course.

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:47:27 +0000

lol. I'm curious to know what you joke was

By: Jacques Groenewald

Jacques Groenewald — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:52:14 +0000

LOL! I am a business graduate and on the 5th year, you have to stand in front of 1000 people and present something you invented. Now, with a thousand people watching you and literally judging you, i couldn't help making some lame joke. Guess i'll be remembered as the graduate who made the crappy joke.

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:53:03 +0000

I agree…the whole 'thanking everyone' thing is lame. Be unpredictable. Yes public speaking is a lot like acting…you gotta be an entertainer.

You got it spot on with that Brad Pitt example!

By: Swimwear Clothing

Swimwear Clothing — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:19:38 +0000

In regards to starting off your speech, you list some don't-do techniques. The main one TO DO is actively engage your audience by “embracing them” from the start. I'm not talking about a lame 'thank you for having' me or physically embracing them (ha). I'm talking about finding a way to connect with your audience from the start based on what brought them all there to hear you in the first place. My experience is that by doing this, you immediately engage your audience from the beginning and they are instantly drawn to what you have to say.

On a side note, I also think public speaking is like acting, in a way. You are the one at the head of the auditorium and the spotlight is on you. Just like Alex started off by saying… PRACTICE! Brad Pitt (or insert your favorite actor here) never steps in front of a camera without a rehearsal, does he?

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:08:48 +0000

For people who have a quiet voice….they need to speak up! lol. Besides speaking up, they should be VERY animated because body language alone has a drastic effect on an audience.