As many of you know I enjoy teaching about body language and the impact of our message. So many times our very important message, regardless of how engaging it is, can be blocked by our body language message.
the multiple messages our body sends and how it is received by different folks is never ending.
So I was delighted to see this article on body language and the negative impact it can have in some cultural settings. Please read it and know that this is a continual learning process. Some times it is trial and error. But as much as you can avoid learning the hard way the better.
Listen and look at the theory and practice of storytelling by Professor, Brian Strum from North Carolina. Pay close attention to his use of vocal variety as he tells his story. Simply powerful I felt like I was right there. P;lay more than once because there is a lot of content.
Did I tell you the story about how I almost went to Chapel Hill for Graduate School? Well…If you listen to this video you will see the technique I used.
Now, the opening title of this post probably made you want to know what I was talking about. Or, it made you quickly click away thinking that I might be going in a direction you did not want to follow.
The reality is that it is a great opening for a story and the beginning of your presentation. Why? Well consider the following:
It is a true statement so I can begin to tell you why I have not posted in a long time.
I used the word porn which probably surprised you because it is out of context fo this site.
I can, and you expect me to, end the story with several teaching lessons. The real lesson is to post to your blog regularly. Also, when you neglect your blog or when you neglect to engage your audience you can lose your readers to your blog just like you can lose your audience in a presentation.
Of course, I will always have the spammers, just like if I don’t grab my audiences attention I will have the nay sayers.
Do you have three (3) interactive presentation tip you want to share? Well, I hope so because I am opening this site up to give you that opportunity. Just call in the number below and follow the prompts. It will be posted as long as the entire audio is not a commercial. But I do want you to share who you are and contact information including social media locations.
I am looking forward to the invaluable information that you will share with the readers of this site. We can all have our swords sharpened!
Call this number and follow the prompts you will have a max of 20 minutes. Can’t wait to listen.
I had an opportunity to do a keynote two weeks ago. I used a technique I have used many times before with success. I walk rapidly out towards the audience and ask them to turn to the person on their left and right and say a the title of the keynote.. In this case the title was “My Best Is Yet To Come”
This is an old opening that works every time. It must be done with energy and excitment. It is an “in your face” approach that does not allow anyone to be a passive listener. The next step included two volunteers to come to the front and lead the audience in an interpretive dance to the song “The Best Is Yet To Come.” It was fun.
Give it a try. You don’t have to use the music if you do not have a license to play it or not covered under the license of the institution you are speaking for at the time. However, you can use this low risk opening as long as you are not thinking about it failing. Give it all you have.
I ended it with just the words from a song, “I believe I can fly” . This statement was said in the same manner in which I opened the keynote.
Practice the art of playing. That’s right playing is an art form. In my opinion we should take the time to play games, board games, with children. Now, think about it, if you are able to jump rope with some pre-teens you will have an edge when you need to present to them.
Or, if you kneel down and play with some pre-schoolers, you will get that carefree sense of “I can present outside of my comfort zone feeling.”
Ok, I know this may sound kind of crazy but I believe that if we stay within the confines of our comfort zone and never go out and play we will be very dull.
So you have been asked to get away from your computer and phone to do a live presentation.
Did you know that a simple survey can pump up the volume in your workshop regardless of the topic? Plus, the questionnaire will help you stay focused on your presentation outline.
I have found that a questionnaire given prior to the presentation can provide a strategic outline. The number of questions should be based on the amount of time that will be spent on the session. The order of the questions should reflect the order of the intended presentation.
As the answers are reviewed for each question additional material is provided, if needed. Incentives for each correct answer and encouragement for the efforts are critical for this technique.
How many questions are required?
The number of questions will depend upon the time you have to conduct the workshop. I would suggest using five questions if you only have one hour. If you have more than an hour to conduct the presentation consider using 10 questions.
What things are important to remember in the questionnaire development?
• Construct TRUE OR FALSE questions rather than open-ended or multiple choice. This will enable the respondents to answer the questions quickly.
• Arrange the questions in the order of your presentation. For example, if you plan to cover the definition of Brain Injury at the beginning of your presentation then develop a question related to a popular myth regarding the subject. Note: Each question should relate to a topic on your presentation outline.
• Construct questions that will enable you to transition to a prop, demonstration, video or lecture.
• Use “audience friendly words” in your questionnaire. These are words that will be understood by your audience. They may have a technical term but that term can be used to introduce a definition. For example, blogging means….true or false?
• Decide on the supporting handouts and materials that will reinforce your topic point related to the question.
What are some suggestions for making the process engaging?
• Offer a grand prize for anyone who gets all of the questions correct. This will instill in each person the desire to hear the entire presentation to assess if they have won the prize.
• Use the honor system and allow people to provide the correct answer verbally while keeping their papers. This will encourage involvement.
• Ask, “How many of you said true?” How many said false?” Then give the correct answer. Ask someone to share their reasoning for the answer.
• Provide a prize for people who have a good answer. Note: Prizes can be those incentives related to your topic that you were planning to distribute. For example, if you give out pins with your blog site message on it then provide it at selected times during your presentation. Be sure that every participant receives the pen before they leave the presentation.
• Acknowledge everyone by giving them a prize. If you have given a prize to all the people who say they have gotten all the answers right then also give a different prize to those who have less that perfect scores.
The questionnaire strategy not only gives you an opportunity to present your material in a creative way but it will increase the involvement of your audience.
