My 'Day Job' is with Zappos Insights, a part of the Zappos Family of companies. I am the 'Culture Evangelist' and travel around the world to do presentations that share the approach to Organizational Culture and Customer Service that has made Zappos what it is - a world recognized leader in happy workplace culture with employees who want to make the customer happy, and customers who keep coming back because it is working!
I wasn't a good public speaker in High School. I was awkward, I mumbled, I spoke too fast and could have never guessed in a million years that I would be doing this for my career.
In a way, playing in a band taught me a lot (a lot!!) about getting a point across clearly from the stage. There is the obvious confidence-without-being-cocky that comes with melting faces... You have to have that as a speaker, too. To stand in front of a group of educated and important people and tell them anything in a way that makes them want to take action towards change takes a certain approach.
You have to entertain, read the crowd and understand why you are there. In a band you might be the featured entertainment, or you might be background noise for a larger event. You can't play every show like you are headlining an arena because it would look silly to do that if you are accompanying a dinner/networking session for an event. As a speaker you need to know who you are talking to, what they are already doing in their organizations and how you can best reach their understanding and needs in a helpful way.
The other big thing for both is that you need to speak clearly. Very. Clearly. Slower than you might think. Otherwise, you are lost in a jumble of confusion and exasperation (one of my favorite words) and your point is quickly lost. I have seen a lot of very, very talented musicians absolutely blow this every time they are on the mic but not singing, and it turns people off rather quickly. "What did he say?" "I don't know.. He's alright, but do you want to go somewhere else?" - that is the exact opposite of what you want to drive. That conversation, between two girls at a show, is an actual conversation I overheard. This particular performer was better than 'alright' - a multi-instrumentalist who played everything really well and has a very pleasant and trained singing voice. His speaking was all in his throat, his mouth was barely opening it was all but unintelligible.. He was trying to tell the crowd where they could find his music online and where he'd be playing next. All very important things if you want to build your audience base...
You see, you have to take on a completely different way of talking when what you are saying is important, and when you need to be heard clearly in any kind of crowded room. I watched a video of my cover band years and years ago and found that I was mumbling and talking too fast. I was trying to announce a set break and ask the bar-goers to take care of the bar-tending staff, all while the band was vamping lightly on the last song before taking it away for one more chorus, a big one... Even knowing what I was saying I couldn't really make it out.
I adopted a tone of voice that is supported with more air. I started to make sure that the annunciation of my words was a little bit dramatic. The guys in my band (and my current one...) joke that I sound like a strip club DJ. But guess what? I watched another video and could completely understand the banter leading into the break. . . Oh yeah, and ... Get your fives and tens out guys, we've got Candy coming to the main stage... (I'm assuming that is something the DJ at a gentlemen's club might say.... I saw it in a movie once... )
If you are addressing a crowd (of any kind), take a deep breath. Make sure you are supporting your speech with real air, much like a singer. Take care to give vowels their shapes and sounds, and slow everything down. At first it will feel awkward, it will feel 'fake', but it will be a better experience for everyone.
I wasn't a good public speaker in High School. I was awkward, I mumbled, I spoke too fast and could have never guessed in a million years that I would be doing this for my career.
In a way, playing in a band taught me a lot (a lot!!) about getting a point across clearly from the stage. There is the obvious confidence-without-being-cocky that comes with melting faces... You have to have that as a speaker, too. To stand in front of a group of educated and important people and tell them anything in a way that makes them want to take action towards change takes a certain approach.
You have to entertain, read the crowd and understand why you are there. In a band you might be the featured entertainment, or you might be background noise for a larger event. You can't play every show like you are headlining an arena because it would look silly to do that if you are accompanying a dinner/networking session for an event. As a speaker you need to know who you are talking to, what they are already doing in their organizations and how you can best reach their understanding and needs in a helpful way.
The other big thing for both is that you need to speak clearly. Very. Clearly. Slower than you might think. Otherwise, you are lost in a jumble of confusion and exasperation (one of my favorite words) and your point is quickly lost. I have seen a lot of very, very talented musicians absolutely blow this every time they are on the mic but not singing, and it turns people off rather quickly. "What did he say?" "I don't know.. He's alright, but do you want to go somewhere else?" - that is the exact opposite of what you want to drive. That conversation, between two girls at a show, is an actual conversation I overheard. This particular performer was better than 'alright' - a multi-instrumentalist who played everything really well and has a very pleasant and trained singing voice. His speaking was all in his throat, his mouth was barely opening it was all but unintelligible.. He was trying to tell the crowd where they could find his music online and where he'd be playing next. All very important things if you want to build your audience base...
You see, you have to take on a completely different way of talking when what you are saying is important, and when you need to be heard clearly in any kind of crowded room. I watched a video of my cover band years and years ago and found that I was mumbling and talking too fast. I was trying to announce a set break and ask the bar-goers to take care of the bar-tending staff, all while the band was vamping lightly on the last song before taking it away for one more chorus, a big one... Even knowing what I was saying I couldn't really make it out.
I adopted a tone of voice that is supported with more air. I started to make sure that the annunciation of my words was a little bit dramatic. The guys in my band (and my current one...) joke that I sound like a strip club DJ. But guess what? I watched another video and could completely understand the banter leading into the break. . . Oh yeah, and ... Get your fives and tens out guys, we've got Candy coming to the main stage... (I'm assuming that is something the DJ at a gentlemen's club might say.... I saw it in a movie once... )
If you are addressing a crowd (of any kind), take a deep breath. Make sure you are supporting your speech with real air, much like a singer. Take care to give vowels their shapes and sounds, and slow everything down. At first it will feel awkward, it will feel 'fake', but it will be a better experience for everyone.