Communicate with Confidence/Project Report

              8. D O N ' T APOLOGISE:... Don't make apology'
statements; ( ie: " I'm not a very good speaker", or " I'm not
really prepared"). Simply address the appropriate
people .. pause, then go directly to the ' hook'
9. DON'T THANK THE AUDIENCE... Thank only the
introducer or chair at the beginning. Finish with your
strong closing statement. pause while making eye contact
one more time, then sit down.
10. REPEAT QUESTIONS:.. If a question is asked from
the floor, repeat it into the mike before answering. If the
audience didn't hear the question, the answer will mean
nothing to them
_ 2_
11. BE HONEST:... If you don't know the answer to a
question, admit it. You can ( if you wish) offer to find out and
get the information back, either to the meeting or to the
individual Remember to follow through on the offer,
ASAP.
12. START STRONG:... If you were introduced, that
person should have announced your title or topic If you
stand up cold' to speak, there is still no need to announce
that, " I am going to speak about " Your first two
sentences will make the topic obvious so, as soon as you
have addressed the assembly, go directly into your strong
opening sentence
13. DON'T LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT.... Of course
you're nervous Every speaker is. The difference between
them and you is they don't let it show remind yourself.
" You are in control .. you have the information they
need you are doing them a favour"
THE MICROPHONE
Fear of using a mike is easily overcome by
becoming familiar with it. During the Communicate with
Confidence Course, or during breaks, we urge you to handle
it, test it, adjust it. become comfortable with it Using a
microphone improves your speech, because it allows you to
be heard without straining your voice to an unnatural pitch
and allows the audience to hear without straining their ears.
It also ensures that the audience doesn't miss some key word
or statement
... Try to check the mike before you use it. If this is not
feasible, watch the previous speakers and note how close
they must hold it. Usually, 10 to 15 inches from your mouth
is optimum. Test by asking if you can be heard
When testing the mike, don't blow into it, tap on it or
whistle. This can damage the equipment. Simply speak a
couple of words in your normal tone of voice. ( After all, you
are testing it to speak into, not blow into)
... Try to keep a constant distance from the mike while
speaking. Leaning into or away will cause your volume to
waver Be careful not to move your hand around when using
a hand- held mike Don't leave the mike, or if necessary to
do so, don't speak while you're away from it ( It's a good
idea to say, " Excuse me for a moment while I ".)
... If you are using notes, keep the mike slightly below your
mouth, as it will pick up better as you look down
Be careful what you mutter. Mike' is a blabber mouth!
... Use a natural tone of voice However, don't hesitate to
raise and lower the pitch of your voice, as you would without
a mike A monotone is boring
Don't wear ' noisy' jewellery ( Bangle bracelets, for
instance) or make irritating noises ( rattle paper, tap fingers
or pens) near the mike as it will pick these up
Feedback is caused by the mike pointing at the speaker
We all fear that high- pitched squeal. It seldom occurs in a
stationary mike, but may happen if you are moving around
Simply turn the mike to point in a different direction Try
to locate the speaker and keep away from it. If all else fails,
turn off the mike until the problem can be solved.
Be aware that your voice will sound strange to you Don't
let it bother you. To be comfortable on a mike, try
practising on a tape recorder the recording will sound
much like your voice over a microphone. Laughter can
sound very strange over a mike so try to control and
modulate your laughter.
. Sometimes, particularly in a large hall, you will find
' delay' You will hear your voice over the speakers a second
or two after you have said the word. Don't let this throw
you. Try to ignore it and simply continue with the speech at
your pace
There is a switch on the side of the mike Be sure it is on
when you are speaking, but you may want it off while
moving or adjusting the mike stand.
... Mike etiquette suggests that when someone turns a
microphone over to you they should adjust it for you before
leaving. However, in case this isn't done, be aware of how
to raise and lower it Murphy's Law says that the person
who last used it will be much taller or shorter than you.