9 Pillars of Oscar Lama Public Speaking

10 Publicity Tips for Professional Speakers

By Joan Stewart

In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging all the media attention? It’s time to start claiming your share. Here are a baker’s dozen of tips that will boost your publicity efforts and help you finally get noticed.

1. Every time you speak before a group, offer to submit a short
summary of your presentation for the group’s newsletter. Don’t forget to send your photo. It gets you in front of those you just spoke to as well as those who missed you the first time around. Many groups also send their newsletters to the media. Be sure the last paragraph tells people what you do and how to get in touch with you.

2. Call the advertising department of every newspaper and magazine you want to get into and ask for a copy of their editorial calendar. It’s a free listing of all the special topics and special sections coming up during the calendar year. It will tip you off to sections where your story idea would be a good fit, so you can query the editor weeks and even months ahead.

3. Call a reporter from your local newspaper and invite her to lunch or coffee. Offer yourself as a resource and Ask “How can I help you?” Feed her tips and story ideas. Become such a valuable source that she keeps coming back to you for more information and eventually writes about you.

4. Consider starting your own television show on your cable TV station’s community access channel. The station will provide the camera equipment for a $20 fee, and you can produce either one show or an entire series of programs. Air time is free. Call your cable company for details.

5. Build a network of other speakers who concentrate on your topic or area of expertise. Agree informally that you will refer reporters to each other whenever the media calls. Often, reporters want more than one source for a story. It’s a chance for all of you to get additional publicity.

6. Whenever someone asks you to write for their ezine or online magazine, visit their web site first and see if they have a resource section where you would be a good fit. Ask to be listed for free, in exchanged for providing an article.

7. If you publish a print newsletter, be generous with free subscriptions for the national and local media. You’ll be amazed how many reporters start calling you for interviews. If you can’t afford to pay people who submit articles for your newsletter, be sure to tell them they will be seen by national media who get your free subscription.

8. Don’t forget newspaper and magazine columnists. They’re always hungry for fresh ideas. Keep in touch with them and feed them ideas regularly.

9. Call local radio talk show hosts and invite them to call on you when other guests cancel. They will be thankful you offered.

10. Write articles for print newsletters. My favorite resource is the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, which lists more than 18,000 newsletters by topic and includes detailed information on the type of audience and subjects covered. Most larger libraries have this resource directory.

10 Tips for Oscar Lama Professionals

Three Secrets to Easily Give a Powerful and Mesmerizing Speech Every Time

By George Hutton

You can feel your heart beating. Slightly faster than normal. You take a deep breath, consciously choosing to take more time exhaling than you do inhaling. Much more time. As you slowly empty your lungs, you can feel your heart rate increase. You hear your name, called, and the applause of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people. Your heart increasing even more as you stand, turning to face the crowd. You walk slowly up the podium, barely able to contain yourself. You turn, forcing your hands to slowly rest palms down on the podium. You have no notes. You can the crowd slowly, from left to right. Your heart rate increases even more. But not from fear, from excitement. Because you know that the speech you are about to deliver will inspire, entertain and move peoples emotions. And you also know, that they know. You have a reputation. You are welcome speaker anywhere you go. You are the one they’ve come to see. You are the one that they will be telling their friends about tomorrow. Because you know the secret to giving an impassioned, motivating, entertaining speech.

You learned from that article you read on the Internet, just like this one. Or maybe it is this one. But just to make sure you’ll remember next time, let’s review the secrets, shall we?

Secret Number One: Speaking is giving, and not receiving. Many that approach public speaking as a means to get applause, approval, acceptance, even sales, set themselves up for the horrifying realization that they are at the mercy of their audience. For many, this realization hits them just as they are about to speak in the form of anxiety, nervousness, and a debilitating fear of failure. When you approach speaking as giving the audience your unique perspective, these imaginary fears go away.

Secret Number Two: Speaking is the same as a conversation. The basic structure of the situation is the same. You are talking, others are listening. The only difference is that there is an agreement that they won’t talk while you are talking. And there are more of them than you. Imagine that, all those people who don’t know you, have all decided to show up, listen to you talk, and they promise not to interrupt you. Isn’t that nice of them? That means you can say anything you want, and they have to sit there and listen. Even if they disagree with you, they have to sit there and listen to you talk until you are finished. They can’t even get up and leave. They are like your prisoners. (Well, not that extreme, but you get the idea.) And even if they hate you, they will still applaud when you are finished, because it is the socially expected thing to do. Just like that cute guy or girl at Starbucks has to smile at you, because it’s their job.

Secret Number Three: Slower is better. The slower you speak, the more they will assume you are really smart and trying to choose among the many brilliant ideas in your head to support your argument. The slower you speak, the more they will assume that you really do know what you are talking about. The slower you speak, the more confident you will appear, which will further bolster your message, regardless of the content.

As you put these three practices into effect, you will notice your speeches skyrocket in popularity and effectiveness. Because you are smart enough to understand this, you can learn many more useful tips by visiting my blog, or you can simply expand your mind in other ways. The bottom line is that you have an important message. You know it, they know it. It is up to you to share it.

Three Oscar Lama Secrets

Public Speaking - Ways to Deliver Your Speech

By Edward Hope

Posted by Oscar Lama

There are 4 possible ways to deliver your speech in public speaking. Each way has its’ pros and cons. The method that s picked will depend on your circumstances. However, there is one way that is the most effective in the majority of cases.

The 4 ways to deliver your speech are:

1. Read it to the audience

In this way the speech is written out and read aloud word for word to the audience. When giving your first speeches this method is attractive because the speaker does not rely on their memory due to the security of the speech. This does ensure that nothing is forgotten and the speech is accurate. The disadvantage is that you lose your personal appeal because your head is bowed reading. And it is difficult to talk expressively and maintain a conversational aspect to your delivery. However it is useful in political and highly controversial speeches to read aloud to prevent misquotes or being sued.

2. Memorize and deliver to your audience

The advantage of this method is that you can employ phrases that you wouldn’t normally use and you are not tied down to reading your speech. You can look at your audience and move around. The difficulty with this approach is if you forget your “lines” and then struggle to determine where you are up to. Also the natural conversational quality of your delivery is difficult to maintain and it is often stiff and stilted.

3. Impromptu Speech

In an impromptu speech the speaker has not prepared a speech and is delivering his thoughts and word on the spur of the moment. This method is very flexible but rarely achieves the quality of a well prepared speech. It is best avoided if you can. But if you think you may be called on to say a few words it is handy to have a few “lines” prepared to avoid any embarrassments. Most experienced speakers have developed some reliable responses to use when they are called upon to make impromptu remarks.

4. Prepare a speaking outline and memorize the ideas

This approach is known as the extemporaneous method. The speech can be delivered with or without notes. When thoroughly prepared (which can include writing your speech in full initially) and practiced there is little need for notes. This is the easiest way for the speaker to achieve the ability to speak in a natural conversational manner. It also gives the ability to adapt the speech for any unexpected events. It does take more time and preparation than the other ways outlined here.

When starting out, it is tempting to read your speech or memorize and recite it word for word. Be careful with these methods because it is difficult to connect with the audience.

When called on for impromptu remarks ensure you have a few memorized responses (an emergency kit). The preferred method is to prepare thoroughly for your speech and memorize the ideas. Your speech has the potential to be more natural and to be more effective in achieving your purpose.

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