######################################################## Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas E-Zine Volume 5, No 3, March, 2002 Published by Lenny Laskowski Copyright LJL Seminars(tm), 2002 All RIghts Reserved ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJL Seminars (tm) 106 School House Road Newington, CT. 06111-4002 United States Of America (860) 666-4855 or Toll Free 1-800-606-4855 Fax: (305) 489-6481 Web page: ######################################################## Simply Speaking E-Zine Subscription links Sending mail to these addresses will automatically add or remove the sender's e-mail address from your list(s): Subscribe Address: Unsubscribe Address: You may also send subscription requests to: and we will help you. ######################################################## In this issue: 1. Confidence Builder: "Report Talk vs. Rapport Talk" 2. Our NEW Simply Speaking Discussion Board 3. How to subscribe / unsubscribe ######################################################## 1. Confidence Builder: "Report Talk vs. Rapport Talk." from, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" (Chapter 3 - pages 56 - 58) Copyright, 2001 Philip Lief Group Inc & Lenny Laskowski -------------------------------------------------------- The last two issues of Simply Speaking focused on audience analysis and getting to know your audience better. In this month's issue, I want to focus on techniques I use to engage and build rapport with my audiences during my seminars. You can apply these same techniques to your speeches and presentations as well. Confidence Builder: "Report Talk vs. Rapport Talk." Report talk is delivering your speech in a monotone, flat voice. Often you sound as if you are just reading your speech without any effort to engage your audience. Rapport talk, on the other hand, is delivering your speech in a conversational lively style. Building rapport with your audience is extremely critical for gaining acceptance. Before I provide you with tips for building a rapport with your audience, I want you to first and foremost realize that you must respect your audience. Treat your audience the way they would expect to be treated by their family, friends, and co-workers by being courteous and attentive to their questions and requests. * Greet your audience-One of the most effective strategies I use at my seminars is to greet people as they enter the room. This demonstrates that you are accessible and approachable. I make sure I arrive early enough so everything is set up properly. By doing this, I'm able to greet people and help establish and immediate connection with each person as they arrive. * Begin on time-If you are scheduled to start at nine A.M. and 90 percent of the seminar attendees are present, then start on time. Many speakers believe they should wait until everyone arrives, but don't. You show respect to those people who went the extra mile to arrive early and on time. Why should they have to wait? * Recognize people by name-If possible, I try to remember the audience names by encouraging them to wear their name tag or at least fill out their table card. This lets you call on people by their names and makes the environment more personal. * Establish eye contact-They say the eys are the mirror to the soul, and having good eye contact with your audience demonstrates your true interest in them. This is especially true if you are engaged in a one-on-one conversation with an audience member. Make eye contact with as many people in your audience as possible. Be careful not to talk to the same few people in the front row. * Pay attention-When people ask you a question or offer comments during the seminar, show them respect by paying close attention to what they have to say. Repeat the question for the entire audience. For example, you could say, "Mary from...just asked me a question about..." This shows respect to Mary, and you use her name. * Schedule breaks-Giving the audience a break allows them to attend to personal business such as calling in to their office, and gives them a rest, but is also allows you time to mingle with people in the audience and get to know them better. Through impromptu conversations, you can gauge the audience's reactions to the program up to that point. Tell people what time to be back from breaks. * Reward people for suggestions-I have delivered many seminars where someone in the audience really participates and makes a valuable or thought-provoking suggestion that in some way has enriched the seminar. As an incentive to encourage people to participate, I give volunteers a small gift that is related to speaking or presentation skills and something they can use in their own presentations, such as one of my videotapes or audiotapes or colored markers. * Make yourself available-I make it a policy to be accesible by phone, fax, and e-mail to people who attend my seminars. This gives them the opportunity to ask more questions and shows that I really care about their learning. Next issue: Tips & secrets on keeping your audience awake & alert ------------------------------------------------------------------ In my book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" I provide an example of a preprogram survey and a customized survey. Why not order your copy today in time for the holidays by clicking on the link below: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In next month's issue I will continue on this topic of audience analysis but will look at the types of information you might need for a customized program survey. Until next month... ######################################################## 2. Our NEW Simply Speaking Discussion Board !!! ######################################################## Do you have some public speaking questions you need answers for? Ask me directly and I will provide you with some sound advice and some immediate solutions. My website has added an on-line discussion board where you can participate and ask me or any of the other participants questions related to presentation skills, speaking, communication skills & related topics. You do this by "posting" your questions on discussion board and I or someone else will provide a response. You can, of course, e-mail me directly for any private questions. Below is the direct link to our new discussion board. ######################################################## 3. How to subscribe / unsubscribe ######################################################## To subscribe to Simply Speaking visit http://www.ljlseminars.com or use the following links below: Subscribe Address: Unsubscribe Address: You may also send subscription requests to: and we will help you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJL Seminars (tm) 106 School House Road Newington, CT. 06111-4002 1-860-606-4855 In Continental US call Toll Free: 1-800-606-4855 Until next issue! - Lenny Laskowski :-)