[audio:https://www.transformationtom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/29Chapter-43.mp3][“From Fear to Success” Audiobook=Appeal the Audience Interests]

Audiences are, and should be, selfish. We often hear the phrase, “What’s in it for me?” Forcing what you believe on an audience does not help you relate to their wants and needs. Even if you are attempting to persuade them to take your point of view, you still need points and counterpoints that will appeal to them. Depending on the setting, if provided the opportunity, ask the meeting organizer or potential attendees about their interests prior to the event. If you can share an anecdote or story about someone in the audience who is well known to other audience members, or cover a topic that many of the audience members have experienced, you will broaden your appeal. In the business of public speaking, many speakers employ a pre-meeting questionnaire to be filled out on audience demographics, likes, dislikes, and taboo topics. Any information you can gather ahead of time will add value to the intent of the presentation because the audience will see what’s in it for them.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World (Honorable Mention at the 2012 New England Book Festival) and From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide (2013 Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal Winner and 2013 Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention).  Audiobook version of “From Fear to Success” is also available! See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

[audio:https://www.transformationtom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/28Chapter-421.mp3][“From Fear to Success” Audiobook selection:  Project Your Voice]

You have worked too hard writing, rehearsing, and preparing to let any words be wasted. Your voice is an obvious tool in any public-speaking event. As important as it is to use voice fluctuation to improve audience engagement, it is just as important to enunciate words and project your voice for the world to hear. I am not talking about yelling or always maintaining high volume, but the vocals should come from deep in the gut so your audience can hear everything you have to say. When practicing, have people sit in different parts of the room to ensure that your voice is projected appropriately. Try turning your head in different directions and testing your projection to ensure you are still heard everywhere in the room. As a reminder, voice projection comes in addition to the varying volumes you want to use during your presentation in order to keep the audience’s attention. The key point is that the voice should not be sustained at a soft tone or whisper throughout the presentation. Don’t make your audience strain to hear you.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World (Honorable Mention at the 2012 New England Book Festival) and From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide (2013 Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal Winner and 2013 Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention).  Audiobook version of “From Fear to Success” is also available! See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

[audio:https://www.transformationtom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/27Chapter-41.mp3][“From Fear to Success” Audiobook Selection:  Look Each Audience Member in the Eye]

We often look over the audience and through the audience. I have been known to dart my eyes quickly between audience members or even look down at the floor. Audiences want a connection with the speaker. In addition to a message they can relate to, they want to feel as though you are talking directly to them. Take the time to make recognizable eye contact with each person in the audience. This includes people in the front and all the way in the back. Even if you, the speaker, are in a spotlight on stage, make the effort to reach out with your eyes to the last person in the last row. Even if you don’t actually connect visually with the person in the last row, the feeling of intimate connection will be there.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World (Honorable Mention at the 2012 New England Book Festival) and From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide (2013 Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal Winner and 2013 Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention).  Audiobook version of “From Fear to Success” is also available! See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

The old adage of telling them what you are going to tell them, telling them, and then telling them what you just told them stands the test of time and is critical in delivering a memorable speech. Telling the audience something that goes over their head or won’t be remembered can be a waste of time and energy for everyone involved. Make sure that the intended key points stick with the audience so that they spring into action or retain your message far after the presentation. When structuring the speech, repeat the message throughout the work, including in the introduction, body, and conclusion.

However, repeating messages is not the only tool. You can use creative means, such as props, to keep the audience’s attention; ask open-ended questions of the audience to repeat back key messages; or have the group write it down. However, in all of these examples we are assuming that the message stuck. Another adage never assume also stands strong. Reiterate points you want them to walk away with in a clearly laid-out manner to ensure that the audience gets exactly what you want them to get. Audiences interpret what was told to them in many ways. When you restate the key points in an organized and summarized manner, you have a better chance that they will sink in at a deeper level.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World (Honorable Mention at the 2012 New England Book Festival) and From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide (2013 Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal Winner and 2013 Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention).  Audiobook version of “From Fear to Success” is also available! See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

[audio:https://www.transformationtom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/25Chapter-39.mp3]”From Fear to Success” Audiobook= Let the Speech Breathe

I learned a valuable lesson by hiding a speech from my wife. It was not the lesson you might be thinking of if you thought that withholding it was what got me in trouble with her. I had a five-hour drive coming home from a Toastmasters convention. I was inspired and had ideas racing though my head. I actually sent myself voicemails to ensure the ideas were not forgotten. I came up with a humorous speech called, “The Wife Coach.”

I told my wife about the events leading up to the concept but held off on sharing the full speech because I wasn’t sure if it was ready yet. I obviously wanted to get some laughs, but not at her expense, so I had to be delicate in my writing. I actually put it away for about six months. I brought it on vacation in the summer to begin work on it again, and shared it with close friends. They saw the humor but made some suggestions. What was interesting is that what I thought was hilarious when first written, didn’t quite hit as hard after I gave it time to settle. I made new revisions with my close friends, and finally my wife, and again received critical feedback. The valuable lesson of letting the speech breathe allowed me to bring a much stronger version to the Division B Toastmasters finals (for the state of Maine and parts of New Hampshire). I had roaring laughter at some parts, enough to lead to my first paid speaking engagement.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World (Honorable Mention at the 2012 New England Book Festival) and From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide (2013 Axiom Business Book Awards Gold Medal Winner and 2013 Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention) are available under “Products” on www.transformationtom.com. Audiobook version of “From Fear to Success” is also available! Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com