Monday, July 17, 2017
My Mentor and My Musical Props & Flags
Flag of Scotland
My first mentor was Indra who taught me to use props.
My first speech described how I was an author. He asked, "Have you any props, books?" I had several books but the most relevant to an audience of speakers was my book on Wedding Speeches and Toasts.
I mentioned living in the USA. He asked me, "Do you have a flag?
Or hat or piece of clothing?" I had a cowgirl hat.
Then I went on to take about Singapore. He asked, "Do you have any prop, flag, map, clothing, or hat?" I had a Chinese Coolie hat.
I am obsessive about props. They have proved valuable when performing on You tube and doing stand up comedy and humorous speeches. I have dozens of hats, musical instruments such as miniature pianos which play Happy Birthday To You.
I ought to bring one to a meeting every time somebody has a birthday. Statistics say that with 31 members and a meeting every month or fortnight, we must have a birthday nearly every meeting.
Being a mentor or mentee can start or cement a friendship and status. My mentee Warren Sheng used to mention at meetings how I had helped him with his speeches. I still frequently mention my first mentor Indra.
Angela Lansbury, Advanced Communicator Gold, Competent Leader. Secretary of HOD, mentor co-ordinator at Harrovians. Member of Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters in Singapore.
Labels: author, books, entree, Happy Birthday, meant, miniature piano, musical instruments, props, Singapore, statistics, Toast, USA, wedding speeches
Saturday, April 11, 2015
The Ten Sins of A Speaker
1 Arrive early and busy yourself with your props, ignoring and rejecting your host and the first people to arrive.
2 Arrive late, looking flustered. Get even more flustered when other latecomers arrive. Instead greet them warmly - your audience is growing.
3 Keep apologising. Apologies are depressing. As Disraeli said, Never explain; never apologise.
4 Glower because of the small numbers, and postpone or cancel on the grounds that it is not worthwhile to speak to those who want to hear you. More important that you should not 'waste your time', never mind that they have wasted their time trying to fix a date or cancelling other engagements and plans to see the speaker.
5 Promoting a book but not having it to sell. Relying on the publisher to send the book to the venue. Always have one book that people can look at, even if it's a proof copy, and two copies to sell.(If you have one copy, if somebody buys it a second person is peeved.
6 Using jargon nobody understands.
7 Failing to take into account the needs for a break for toilet and food.
8 Forgetting to thank the organiser.
9 Forgetting to say how much you have enjoyed your welcoming audience, the venue, the weather, all the good things which will make them happy about their day and happy to share your happiness.
10 Not thinking of taking the opportunity to say how much you enjoyed talking to them and how you would be willing to come back again, sooner or later.
13 Not giving your name, address and contact details. If they are on every handout, you can get your message out. Forgetting to have a business card marked with the name, your real name, other than the pen name, in which you want any cheque sent.
2 Arrive late, looking flustered. Get even more flustered when other latecomers arrive. Instead greet them warmly - your audience is growing.
3 Keep apologising. Apologies are depressing. As Disraeli said, Never explain; never apologise.
4 Glower because of the small numbers, and postpone or cancel on the grounds that it is not worthwhile to speak to those who want to hear you. More important that you should not 'waste your time', never mind that they have wasted their time trying to fix a date or cancelling other engagements and plans to see the speaker.
5 Promoting a book but not having it to sell. Relying on the publisher to send the book to the venue. Always have one book that people can look at, even if it's a proof copy, and two copies to sell.(If you have one copy, if somebody buys it a second person is peeved.
6 Using jargon nobody understands.
7 Failing to take into account the needs for a break for toilet and food.
8 Forgetting to thank the organiser.
9 Forgetting to say how much you have enjoyed your welcoming audience, the venue, the weather, all the good things which will make them happy about their day and happy to share your happiness.
10 Not thinking of taking the opportunity to say how much you enjoyed talking to them and how you would be willing to come back again, sooner or later.
13 Not giving your name, address and contact details. If they are on every handout, you can get your message out. Forgetting to have a business card marked with the name, your real name, other than the pen name, in which you want any cheque sent.
Labels: books, cancel, details, early, food, jargon, late, postpone, thanks, toilets
