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Who you think you are does not matter as much
as who the audience thinks you are.
If you feel insecure as a speaker, but the
audience views you as an expert who is going to solve their problems, your
position is that of valued friend and expert.
If you think you're great and have all the
answers, but the audience sees you as a know-it-all, you position is that of
the arrogantly confused.
Your positioning to the audience is
controllable.
First, determine how you want to be viewed
in public speaking. (expert, friend, funny, approachable, etc.)
Second, use the following ways to make your
positioning visible.
1. Your Pre-event materials. Will the group
you're speaking to be given anything before the event?
Will they know your topic? Then make sure
your title fits your positioning. Will they see your picture? Make sure it
matches your position. Will they get to read a short biography? If it reads
like a novel, commentary, social roster, a dry lecture, or letter will
determine how you're seen before you arrive.
2. Your arrival. Immediately meeting as
many attendees as possible will position you as amiable and friendly.
Staying to yourself and avoiding conversation will position you as
unapproachable.
Telling a few jokes and smiling will
position you as light and humorous.
3. Your introduction. What will the
introducer read about you to the group? If the person is a friend it may
help you. If he or she is not, then make sure you give the person exactly
what you want said about you. This will be many of the audience member's
first impression of you. Make it an accurate reflection.
4. Your opening words. Choosing to begin
with a statistic, story, quote, or whatever will make the biggest impact on
your position. The first three minutes of any speech goes to the audience.
They are sizing you up. Wondering if it will be worth hanging in there.
Wondering if you're worth listening to. Wondering if they will be yawning or
yelping or yelling at the end of the message.
Choose the first few words with wisdom and
to accurately put you in their heart just where you want.
5. Post speech. Hang around a few minutes
afterwards to absorb the accolades. Shake hands.
Smile. Do this especially if you feel you
didn't do your best. Most of the time we're tempted to flee after a poor
engagement. Don't. By staying and being personal you will leave an
impression that will actually strengthen your speech. That's right. If they
like you, they will like what you said more - even after the fact. They will
position you as a friend. They will review the message and reflect on it as
better than it really was. That's the power of positioning.
6. Your leave behinds. Do you have a hand
out? A book? A tape? A business card? Make sure all these reflect you
accurately as well. After you're long gone they may pull your materials out
again and say, "Why don't we have (your name here) back? I really like
(him/her)."
Never underestimate the law of positioning.
And never forget that you control it.
Paul Evans is the creator of Instant
Speaking Success, helping over 17,000 speakers move from dull to dynamic.
http://www.instantspeakingsuccess.com
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