Because You’re Not Selling Toasters

Because You’re Not Selling Toasters

Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by in Grazing in the Grassroots, Oink, Moo, Woof

Not to sound like a snob, but I can’t tell you how many times I have attended a workshop or seminar about animal rights, and left wondering if the presenter ever took one public speaking class in his or her life. Sure, the info they were relaying was educational and interesting. But if they had just said “um” a few (hundred) less times, or made eye contact with the audience once or twice, or slooooowed down, their presentation could have gone from mediocre to outstanding.

That’s where Toastmasters comes in. Toastmasters is a non-profit dedicated to helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. There are meetings all around the globe. Once you find one near you, you attend that meeting, and practice your skills in front of a group of supportive people. You evaluate each other, using their Competent Communication manual, a “series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking. Participants learn skills related to use of humor, gestures, eye contact, speech organization and overall delivery.”

A couple tips:

1. Not every meeting will be right for you. I know people who have tried to find a Toastmasters meeting, were turned off by one particular group, and never went back. Just like Alcoholics Anonymous or Weight Watchers, you might need to shop around before you find a group where you can benefit. And, chances are, you can benefit.

2. Even if you don’t think you need Toastmasters (or another public speaking course), videotape your next public speaking event. Will it be painful? Absolutely. Will it cause you to get rid of those ums, stop looking at the floor, and no longer play with your hair (that last one was mine)? Absolutely.

If public speaking is part of your activism, then you owe it to the animals to be nothing short of amazing at it.

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7 Responses to “Because You’re Not Selling Toasters”

  1. Kezia

    20. Apr, 2010

    Are you reading my mind? GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

    This doesn’t apply only to presenting in front of an audience – but when speaking to media or even omni friends too.

  2. Heather

    20. Apr, 2010

    Thank you for posting this. I have looked at the toastmasters that is close to my work, and have been playing with the idea of going to check it out.

    This post kind of kicked me in the butt to go. Thanks!

  3. Lawrence Carter-Long

    20. Apr, 2010

    Sing it sister! xo

  4. Joyce

    21. Apr, 2010

    Another good reason to go to Toastmasters is you can do AR speeches to the group- another opportunity to educate!

  5. Glenn

    07. May, 2010

    Frankly, I would rather listen to a number of “ums” than be treated to a slick rendition by some over-polished phony.

    One of the serious dangers of all this practice and public speaking competence is that the message gets lost in the focus on verbal legerdemain and “holding the attention of the audience.” Authenticity and being “amazing” at public speaking are two phenomena rarely present at the same time.

  6. Jasmin Singer

    Jasmin

    07. May, 2010

    thanks for sharing your thoughts, glenn! personally i don’t think there’s any need to compromise content while improving presentation but if that happened that would be unfortunate. and i’ve seen tons of speakers who are great at both messaging and presentation. i’ve also seen tons of speakers who are such poor presenters that the messaging gets lost when people zone out.

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  1. Because You're Not Selling Toasters | Our Hen House | Best Toasters - 21. Apr, 2010

    [...] 4 Responses to “Because You’re Not Selling Toasters”. Kezia. 20. Apr, 2010. Are you reading my mind? GET OUT OF MY HEAD. This doesn’t apply only to presenting in front of an audience – but when speaking to media or even omni friends too … View full post on toasters – Google Blog Search [...]

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