Excite Your Audience

I found this video by Bill Geist, on the NSA (National Speakers Association) of Wisconsin web-site. Here is the link to the video:

http://www.wisconsinspeakers.com/blog/geist.html

Watch the video and then read my comments.

This is a very good speaker’s demo video. I liked it. The best type of video for a speaker is the one where the viewer can see how much the audience likes the performance. But, as always, everyone can improve and there is something to be learned from every speaker and speech.

This demo video was done in two parts. On the first part, notice the use of the hand-held microphone. During the second part, there is no microphone. Bill’s hand gestures are much better without being restricted by the microphone in his right hand. In part two, he put down the microphone and the sound quality went to hell. The hand-held microphone is causing problems for Bill in both instances.

I know what you are thinking, it’s not Bill’s fault. The venue supplied the microphone and Bill just used what he was given. Oh contraire, everything that happens on the stage is the responsibility of the speaker. Bill could have asked for a better microphone like a lapel or headset microphone. That would have freed his hands up for the great gestures he is making and given him great sound quality throughout his performance.

I know what you’re thinking now - “maybe the venue didn’t have such a microphone available.” That’s true, many venues lack the audio knowledge for what makes a great speaker’s microphone. That is why it is important to own a good microphone yourself. The best microphones for a speaker are the headset wire mics. They have great sound and are fairly invisible from the audience’s point of view. These types of mics are expensive, but even a lower cost Shure or AKG headset or lapel mic is better than the head-held for a speaker.

Bill is doing a really good job in his speech. He has some good analogies, power point slides and ideas. He is speaking smoothly, at a good pace, and with good dynamics. Nice use of humor. Let’s face it, Bill is rocking the house, up until the last 10 seconds of his speech. Boy that ending just dropped out of nowhere like dying, wet cat.

“It’s been an honor to be with you. Best wishes for a fabulous year. I know it’s going to rock for you and thank you so much. Have a great year.”

Really?!? With all the clever stuff in this speech that’s the best he could do.

He really needs an ending that will get the crowd to erupt with applause. In my video, “It’s a good day to die,” -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?=Q5znbEiATDE&feature=player_embedded

- at time index 5:09, you will see how I have crafted the ending so the audience knows that I’m done without me having to add, “Thank you, you’ve been a great audience.” Notice the applause that this technique gets. Your ending is the last thing your audience will hear you say, make it great and they will remember how great you were.

Hi Everyone,

On an on-going basis, I have decided to look up professional speakers totally at random on the internet and watch their videos. I am looking for people I have never seen speak before. I will then give a critique of their performance. My comments should not be conveyed as either an endorsement of the speaker or as a condemnation. The only point of this exercise is to have examples speakers to help anyone reading this blog with their speaking skills. Most of these speaker are quite good, but everyone can improve. Feedback is the way to do that. I video tape all my performances so I can critique myself later, just like I am doing here.

The first speaker is John DiFrances

Link to his video:
Video Link

What I liked:

Very smooth polished voice. Speaks clearly, at a good pace, and has solid use of pauses.

I like the way he stops talking and lets the audience fill in the answers, very good.

Good progression to his point. He leads the audience all along the way.

Nice interjection of humor.

What could be improved:

Don’t talk in front of the projector. The lights make it very difficult to see him and distracts from the image.

Paces too much. He walks around the stage without purpose. Also walks behind lectern without purpose.

Need to put his hands down. The double hands up is a barrier between him and his audience.