Nathen, so much of what you say here resonates with me, especially "Heroes become colleagues, colleagues become friends." I remember seeing my name on the front of a literary journal and realizing, I know all the other names on this publication! I couldn't believe I had "made it" when my heroes started inviting ME to contribute. Real scholas and artists are generous and love inviting more enthusiasts to the table.
Yes, one hour should be top end max. 45 mins is the perfect. Hard to fit everything in so just make sure you get across the point you want. Which is that she was awesome!
Thank you Nathen for sharing this with us. This peek inside your process and vulnerability is possibly my favorite post of yours. After 40+ years of speaking in front of others I still can sweat and my hands will tremble but once into the flow, I know I will be fine. Sometimes you just need to see one person’s head nod and in agreement and you know you have ‘em. Please keep sharing.
Thanks so much for this excellent article Nathen - really insightful, honest and helpful. I'm an author and get very, very nervous about talks. But this is so useful. I think I'll rethink my 'costume'.....hoodies and jeans for me all the way now!! :)
This made me smile as I remember one of your earlier talks! Despite the nerves you always give an excellent talk with great perspective and I come away inspired wanting to know so much more. Taking books for signing is a great way to end an event with a little personal chat too.
I have coached people on public speaking and my main point was always “ Do not speak too fast”. Nerves make a person tend to gabble and if you give the most incisive and important speech of the decade it will be useless if people cannot follow what you say. The second point is make sure that you can be heard, make sure that the mike is in the right position for you and that you are comfortably placed whether seated or standing. Thirdly, if you can possibly manage it, do not read the whole of your talk. By all means read notes or quotes from others but reading a speech actually leads to less enthusiasm amongst your listeners. I hope this advice is of some use to readers who may, at sometime, be called upon to address audiences.
An excellent article Nathen 👏 Have been to several of your talks over the years it's been great to see how much more confident and relaxed you are now.
Nathen, so much of what you say here resonates with me, especially "Heroes become colleagues, colleagues become friends." I remember seeing my name on the front of a literary journal and realizing, I know all the other names on this publication! I couldn't believe I had "made it" when my heroes started inviting ME to contribute. Real scholas and artists are generous and love inviting more enthusiasts to the table.
Thank you what great advice and so relatable. I'm talking next month to a small group within my U3a so I'll take on board your hints.
What are you speaking about?
Hi I'm doing a necessarily short (1 hour max) talk and slide show on my favourite local person, Katherine Swynford.
Yes, one hour should be top end max. 45 mins is the perfect. Hard to fit everything in so just make sure you get across the point you want. Which is that she was awesome!
Thanks for tips. I've found a connection to the
U3a GROUP'S location via her DNA. It's quite exciting I think so I'm finishing with that.
Great advice Nathen and good on you for working your way through the terrors of public speaking.
It’s probably one of the things that scares people the most but you have shown the way!
Thank you Nathen for sharing this with us. This peek inside your process and vulnerability is possibly my favorite post of yours. After 40+ years of speaking in front of others I still can sweat and my hands will tremble but once into the flow, I know I will be fine. Sometimes you just need to see one person’s head nod and in agreement and you know you have ‘em. Please keep sharing.
What great advice from a wonderful public speaker Nathen! And judging from this article, I think you are an amazing teacher too. Thank you 😊
Thanks so much for this excellent article Nathen - really insightful, honest and helpful. I'm an author and get very, very nervous about talks. But this is so useful. I think I'll rethink my 'costume'.....hoodies and jeans for me all the way now!! :)
This made me smile as I remember one of your earlier talks! Despite the nerves you always give an excellent talk with great perspective and I come away inspired wanting to know so much more. Taking books for signing is a great way to end an event with a little personal chat too.
I have coached people on public speaking and my main point was always “ Do not speak too fast”. Nerves make a person tend to gabble and if you give the most incisive and important speech of the decade it will be useless if people cannot follow what you say. The second point is make sure that you can be heard, make sure that the mike is in the right position for you and that you are comfortably placed whether seated or standing. Thirdly, if you can possibly manage it, do not read the whole of your talk. By all means read notes or quotes from others but reading a speech actually leads to less enthusiasm amongst your listeners. I hope this advice is of some use to readers who may, at sometime, be called upon to address audiences.
Great advice Nathen!
An excellent article Nathen 👏 Have been to several of your talks over the years it's been great to see how much more confident and relaxed you are now.