Public Speaking: Numbers are Funny

Most businesses have numerous uses for numbers, both written and oral. Some numbers are funnier and more interesting than others. A number like zero has other names that are funny that aren't even numbers.

Public Speaking: Malaprops

A malaprop is an absurd misuse of words. It can be from words that sound alike (sadistic and statistic) or from explanations that don't make any sense. You can use these on purpose as a humor technique during your public speaking engagements. Consider some of the classic examples below:

Public Speaking: Audience Gags

Audience gags are offbeat jokes that occur unexpectedly during a presentation. Dr. Joel Goodman, from the Humor Project, does one where a telephone rings during his presentation. He answers the phone that was hidden in the lectern and pretends to talk to his mother. The same joke would be called a running gag if the phone rang at several other times during the program.

Public Speaking: Anachronisms

A person, place, or event that is placed in a time period in which it does not belong is called an anachronism. For instance, Paul Revere riding a motorcycle or George Washington sitting in front of a computer would be anachronisms. You see advertising strategies using anachronisms all the time, especially around Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays and Columbus Day. I saw an ad for fluorescent light bulbs that had Thomas Edison working on a phonograph. The caption read: 'If Thomas Edison wouldn't have wasted his time on this (incandescent bulb), his phonograph might have been a CD player.'

Public Speaking: Ads

You can concoct fake ads, or use real ads that are funny in your public speaking engagements. They can be read aloud, projected, or distributed as handouts.

Public Speaking: Get Them In Fun

Don't do anything to take them out of in fun. Don't speak about controversial subjects like religion or politics and don't make unfriendly comments to audience members. If a problem occurs which must be dealt with, find an in fun way of doing so. For instance...

Public Speaking: Attention Gaining Devices

Attention spans are short. Here is the 'Wake em Up' way to keep the audience with you. After you have created your talk, go through it and make sure that every 2-4 minutes you use some kind of attention gaining device.

Public Speaking: The Differences Between a Man and a Woman (in the Audience that is!)

There is nothing I like better than an all female public speaking audience. All female audiences tend to laugh more easily and louder than all male audiences. All-male audiences are the toughest because the male ego gets in the way of laughter. They look around to see if anyone else is laughing before they laugh, and they won't laugh as loud because they think they will look less powerful. If you speak to an all-male audience it is more critical to...

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking

One way to overcome fear of public speaking is to be afraid and speak anyway. As stupid as this seems, it’s possibly the most reliable way to gain confidence in speaking. Be afraid, be nervous, be hesitant, but do it anyway.

Top 5 Ways To Demolish Performance Anxiety

Have you ever found yourself performing on stage and the person in the front row is tapping his feat and you wonder whether you’re maintaining the beat? As you are looking around, do you see a few people whispering and chatting away to each other? Do you get worried what they are discussing? Perhaps your image isn’t right – your hair has moved out of place, or if you’re singing, your voice is a little croaky. If you’re wearing a trouser, do they see your zip undone? Maybe they are discussing how strangely your talent is showing through? Or are they commenting on what you’ve missed out?

How to Become a Successful Public Speaker?

Being a speaker is a challenging and rewarding profession. But speaker is not really a profession you go to college for and learn it from the ground up.

How to Avoid Audience Saturation

The elements of an effecive speech and how to deliver it.

How to Become a More Entertaining Speaker

How to inform and entertain your audience...

What if You Were a Good Public Speaker Too?

Most all small business people are truly exceptional at what they do, they have learned through the school of hard knocks and have it pretty much all figured out. What if they were better at conveying the message? What if they were better at informational selling?

Read This Article If You Want to Give the Best Presentation of Your Life

By giving the best presentation of your life you will expand your skills and abilities in public speaking. The expectations you have of yourself will be increased. Your progress towards greater confidence, a broader network base and a widened field of potential clients will be realized. Winners stand out from the pack. They are looked up to and people who are looked up to become leaders. You will be viewed as a leader. People follow leaders.