Women learn to speak from imitating other women in nearly every culture in the world. Thus, certain lacks and gaps in speech communication haunt women from one generation to the next. Additionally, studies show that male students are often somewhat favored over female students at every academic level in schools. Men often have more experiences speaking before groups. They learn methods of communicating by imitating other men from childhood onward. This often makes males better at skills such as negotiating, the job interview, public speaking, leading meetings, introducing speakers, moderating panels, and more.
Our new audiobook, WomanSpeak, provides information on how women can fill lacks and gaps in communication skills. For instance, let's discuss introducing a speaker, a common task most adults encounter at some time or other in life. First, ask the speaker for information about him- or herself ahead of the speaking date. Study the material and write a short introductory speech using this material. People seldom care about where a person went to school or the names of the employers for whom they have worked, facts, figures, etc. People want interesting information, something different, even shocking or controversial in nature will perk up your introduction. Give data on the speaker's interests, personal life, goals, causes. This has human interest. Finally, say a few words about the speaker's topic. Don't give too much away. Don't ever say, "and that's why Dr. Fontaine believes we should support NATO . . ." let Dr. Fontaine deliver his own 'punch line.'
Concisely provide listeners with the good Dr.'s awards but if there are many of them, don't drone on for too long.
Rule of Thumb: If a speaker plans to deliver a 20 minute speech, an intro of 3- 5 minutes is long enough.If a speaker's plans are for a one-hour speech, an intro should be longer, perhaps 6-8 minutes (if enough interesting material is provided). If you are introducing a speaker who will conduct a half-day or full-day workshop, introduce him or her at the start of the day. Follow-up with remarks prior to lunch break. Speak again half-way through the afternoon and again before the event ends. You can 'tie events' together with a thread by re-appearing throughout the event. You may also want to invite the audience to ask questions or to provide comments.
Hope this helps! WomanSpeak contains over two and one-half hours of information on a wide variety of topics. This is just one small section of the audiobook. More later . . .
Visit Ms. Zoller's website at www.zwlpub.com
She is a college educator who formed an audio book publishing company, ZWL Publ. Inc. in 1994. She is also a Simon and Schuster author. With eleven titles in the self-help field, she is a corporate trainer and speaker nationwide. She is a former American Business Woman's "Woman of the Year" and in May 1999 attended the Women's Trade Summit in Toronto as one of 150 American women chosen. Contact her via her website or at zwlpub@aol.com. She has an extension learning program to improve speech. She also teaches privately in the North Texas area and accepts invitations to teach worldwide. Ask and she'll be there!!
Phone number: 214-638-TALK (8255)