George Torok interviewed (again) on podcast - Small Talk #15

The conversation continues on the podcast Small Talk with host, Javed Khan and special guest George Torok.

We hear more tips on how to convey your spoken message more effectively.




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Slow down when you speak

Recently, I heard a few speakers who spoke too fast. How fast?  So fast, that I stopped listening.  When I mentioned this to two of them, they both responded with, “I know, I’ve been told that before.”

They knew they spoke too fast - yet they continued to annoy listeners with their rapid-fire pace. Perhaps they felt unable to control it or that it wasn’t worth the effort.

Speaking too quickly can sabotage your presentation.

Why should you speak slower?

•     You will sound more confident
•     You can more clearly enunciate your words
•     When you speak slower we can better hear your words
•     Your voice will be deeper in tone and thus more pleasant to listen to
•     You can breathe more regularly and thus feel less exhausted
•     You have more time to think about your words and speak more intelligently
•     The audience will have time to absorb and think about your message

How can you slow down? Here are three methods.

Insert more pauses

The pauses between your sprints will give us that thinking time and a short respite. You might still talk rapidly but the pauses will offer the necessary contrast between your short sprints.

You can use this technique immediately with little effort.

Say less

Strip out the un-necessary words. When people speak fast they tend to use more filler words and cliché phrases. Your important message could easily be lost in the noise. Some people speak rapidly because they are attempting to say too much.

This technique requires you to think and prepare before you speak. You’ll sound more intelligent and confident when you deliver a powerful message with less words.

Rehearse speaking slower

Read a section of text out loud while timing yourself. Note the time. Then repeat the exercise talking as fast as you can. Note the time again. Do it one more time but before you start take a couple of slow deep breaths. Envision a person across from you listening intently to your words. Then read out loud again in a more relaxed manner. Compare the times.

Repeat this exercise over a week. Notice how easier it becomes to speak slower. You can slow down if you rehearse.

This third approach takes more effort but rewards you with the long term benefit. Recognize that you can control your speaking pace and become comfortable with setting the optimum speed.

Start with any one of the above methods to slow down when you speak. Eventually try all three.

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Amazon offers free Kindle ebook today - 12 Simple Tips for Superior Presentations

You can grab your free copy of this Kindle ebook today and tomorrow - Sept 10 & 11.

A two day special offer from Amazon.

Get your copy of the 12 original tips that launched the Superior Presentations Tips series. It was originally published as Power Presentations Tips.

Get your copy here at Kindle Amazon




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Presentation Tip: It's not About You

Focus your presentation on your audience. What do you want them to do?

Presentation Tip 01 it’s not about you from George Torok

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Superior Presentations 65: Omit Your Hard Luck Story

From George Torok

The audience doesn't care about your hard luck story - unless it's funny. Even if it is funny, don't tell a story unless it makes a point that supports your message.

The speaker began his presentation by telling us that he had crossed three time zones to speak to us this morning. I'm not sure if he was bragging or complaining. There seemed no point to his tale. It didn't relate to his topic. Perhaps he was explaining why his presentation might be substandard. Perhaps he simply wanted a little sympathy.

Curious, he was there to sell his product and he seemed to be groveling.

He continued to relate his travel story by admitting that he instructed the taxi to take him to the wrong hotel. Clearly he had not checked and confirmed details.

There was no point to this story so why did he tell it. Did he believe that this was a good opening? Did he think that he was establishing rapport with this story that illustrated his ineptitude?

It wasn't funny. Instead, it lowered his credibility while boring us right from the start.

Fortunately for him his product was way more interesting than he or his presentation. Yes, sometimes the audience is astute enough to see past the ineptitude of the presenter. But you can never count on that luck.

Recently I experienced my own travel frustrations on the way to a morning presentation. I planned to take the commuter train and arrive about 45 minutes before the start of my presentation.

Because of Murphy (what can go wrong will go wrong) my train was taken out of service and the next train was delayed by a medical emergency. I walked into the packed meeting room as the MC started to read my introduction and began my presentation at the scheduled time.

The audience didn't need to know about my journey. That wasn't why they were there. So I didn't mention the delay to them. I quietly talked with the organizer to dispel his anxiety.

The presentation went well. Part of the reason was that I focused on the audience and my intended message and not on the frustrations of the morning journey.

Sometimes a story from your journey might help your presentation but be sure it does before you tell it.

George Torok

PS: This incident also served as a reminder to have the phone number and email of the contact in my BlackBerry.

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Six Words to Summarize Your Presentation

Can you summarize your presentation in six words? If you know your message, you can state it in a few words. If you need 30 minutes to explain it, then you really don’t know it. What would you do if the decision maker said, “You have six words – go.”

Enjoy these six word presentation summaries:

Buy low, sell high, discover how

Stop wasting money on expensive advertising

Join us for weekly breakfast networking

Think about it before you speak

Never, never give up. Call us

Don’t drink and drive. Arrive alive

Find the right mate for you

You can fight cancer. Donate today

Success is simple but not easy

Problems are opportunities but often overlooked

Love your customers. Attract them back

Buying insurance sucks. Being without devastates

Seatbelts saves lives, maybe yours

Help those who can’t help themselves.

Relax. Enjoy. You are getting older.

Don’t stop questioning. We need you.

Imagine, say it in six words

Add your six word message below.

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How to Deliver Superior Presentations video

Enjoy this 19 minute video of George Torok delivering his "How to Deliver Superior Presentations" to HAPPEN in Mississauga.

Notice the use of pausing. Note the facial expressions, change of voice and movement.




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Women in Leadership & Business Conference 2012

How to Deliver Superior Presentations: Attend the Women in Leadership & Business Conference to hear George Torok speak - Monday April 16.

Learn more and register at http://www.wilbconference.com/




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Superior Presentations: Participant Feedback from Lyle video

The next public seminar of "How to Deliver Superior Presentations is March 28, 2012, by the Toronto Airport. Hurry to reserve your spot at http://www.PresentationSeminars.com  

If you have questions, call George Torok at 905-335-1997


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