Improving public speaking skills

[Deleted]

Any ideas on what I can do to help myself improve in this area? This would include even speaking on the phone with clients and adversaries. I feel like my voice makes me sound younger than I am. I also still get nervous and talk too fast.

Anyone do Toastmasters? Any other groups/products/classes you have done?

Brought to you today by an embarrassing telephone conference.

[Deleted]

Toastmasters is a good idea, also maybe a community college public speaking class of some kind (do they even have these?)

I'm glad my 'useless' liberal arts degree included a required public speaking course, it has ended up being one of my most used professional skills.

[y4m]

I've been considering toastmasters.

I also downloaded a few public speaking-oriented hypnosis sessions from online sources, and I do think they have made a difference for me, just in helping me slow down and temper adrenaline in those situations.

[SJ]

I do Toastmasters and I really enjoy it. Our club is more laid-back, you can really "get into" Toastmasters and do a lot with it.

We meet once a month, for an hour over lunch at a private club. 2-3 people prepare "manual speeches" (normally 5-7 minutes), which are critiqued, and everyone gets a chance to practice spontaneous speaking.

I enjoy it and it has been a good way to network and make connections. There are literally hundreds of clubs in Chicago and all have their own "tone" so it might take a little work to find the right one.

[Deleted]

Dec 19, 2012 10:43:30 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Toastmasters is a good idea, also maybe a community college public speaking class of some kind (do they even have these?)

I went to a juco my first two years. I had to take a public speaking class for my degree, but we had several adults who took the class that weren't working towards a degree or anything.

[Deleted]

Have you looked into NITA?

[Deleted]

ZOMG there are 28 Toastmasters clubs within 10 miles of my office.

[Deleted]

Dec 19, 2012 10:55:10 GMT -5 v said:

Have you looked into NITA?

no, first I'm hearing of it.

[Bob Loblaw]

This prompted me to check out my local Toastmasters Club. Is $35/month dues the norm?

[Deleted]

I think I'll do this after the new year. one club has a meeting tomorrow but it looks like a holiday party.

[rosetyler]

I did Toastmasters - I actually chartered a club at a previous employer, and the company paid dues for members. We met over lunch in a conference room.

I'd definitely recommend it for speaking skills - I got a lot of great feedback, and am especially cognizant of things like "um" and "uh" when speaking.

[Deleted]

See if you can audit a university class in Business Communication or even Speech 101. People do it all the time. An audit is when you pay for and attend the class but no grade is given. You are expected to do the work though.

[Deleted]

The more practice the better. So Toastmasters would help, their website also has some great articles you can access without being a member.

I'd also post a note above my phone to remind yourself to take a breath and slow down Sometimes visuals are very helpful.

[Awkward]

Dec 19, 2012 12:03:32 GMT -5 @randomcdn said:

I'd also post a note above my phone to remind yourself to take a breath and slow down Sometimes visuals are very helpful.

This is what I do. I had a post it note on the edge of my computer monitor that said "SLOW. DOWN." I think it helped, my issue is I get nervous about not speaking clearly, which means I speed up, which means I don't speak clearly. Reminding myself to slow down helps a lot.

[Mrs.Beagle]

My sister does Toastmasters, and she loves it.

[midwest07]

I find that I do my best when I am prepared - whether it's for an actual speech, speaking in meetings, speaking on a call, etc. If I know I have a conference call coming up, I will prepare bullet points or notes to be ready for the call. It's tempting not to, since you're just getting on the phone, but it helps me. So I guess my only tip is to be overprepared. I think the Toastmasters suggestions are good - to actually make you get up and give a speech and get nice critiques.