Celia Therapy

Quick Hints for SpeakingAfter twenty years of college teaching, I’ve added a sideline: public speaking. Teachers often are in demand as experts in their specialty areas. But speaking to a group of business professionals is different from addressing a class of eighteen-year-olds. Anyone with a story to tell or a
 skill to teach can develop a presentation that can be geared to civic groups, social clubs, or professional organizations. Here are some of the things I’ve learned in making the jump from college teacher to public speaker.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. It’s a pleasure to be with your group today. Now, in the next minute turn to someone beside you and tell that person one thing you do not understand about the opposite sex.”This is my icebreaker for a gender communications presentation that is often in demand. Everyone has a question: “Why are women always on the phone?” “Why does he watch so many sports programs on t.v.?” So that first minute of interaction is lively and fun. After calling “time” I list their observations on the flip chart or white board as a point of departure for my session. Moving through the principles of gendered communication, I link each to the audience concerns posted in front of the room. As a member of our university campus’ speakers’ bureau, I have developed topics from my teaching expertise that impact daily activities and human nature. That is a good place to start when choosing a speaking platform. Then make sure you understand audience interest in your topic. Anyone can stand before a crowd to make a speech, but not all speeches are memorable or meaningful. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years to keep my listeners inviting me back for return engagements. 1. Link.
Whatever your topic, find ways to relate it to your group of listeners. Consider their ages, education levels, socio-economic background, and gender (unless it’s a mixed group). Younger audiences typically enjoy a fast-paced presentation like Power Point, while older groups sometimes prefer slower, more thoughtful sessions with details and explanation. Ask the coordinator about the type of session she feels will work best.