Today, for the 2017 Toastmasters Speech Contest, I’m doing something I’ve never done before… Normally, I break down ONLY the winning speech—you know, the one given by the speaker that gets the lucrative title, World Champion of Public Speaking.That’s obviously not a terrible idea, but there’s an unfortunate axiom for all things competitive, and that is…history only remembers the victor. Today I’m … Read More
Tactical Analysis of a Public Speaking Champion: Dananjaya Hettiarachchi
UPDATED Speech Breakdown for the 2014 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi.This is an incredible speech with a lot of interesting data. Each breakdown brings with it a new technique or perspective that differs from the rest, and that’s what makes them so fascinating and not to mention useful in becoming a better speaker or speech writer.There is … Read More
Tactical Analysis of a Public Speaking Champion: Jim Key
New Speech Breakdown for the 2003 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Jim Key!Jim Key’s gave an exciting speech with a lot of interesting data. Each breakdown I do brings with it a new technique or perspective that differs from the rest, and that’s what makes them so useful if your goal is to become a better speaker or speech … Read More
Toastmasters Championship Speech Breakdown: Lance Miller
New Speech Breakdown for the 2005 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Lance Miller!This was an exciting speech with a lot of interesting data. It is NOT like most of the winning speeches from the past few years–extremely unique. Full speech transcriptSpeech statistics (Word count, time of speech, title)LPM (Laughs Per Minute)Use of “You” focused words versus “I/Me” focused wordsFoundational Phrase … Read More
Speech Titles Matter! (3 Reasons Why!)
When I entered the Toastmasters International Speech Contest back in early 2015, I ran into a bit of a problem with my speech title.Here’s why:The title, Louder Isn’t Always Better, which isn’t terrible, didn’t do much for my speech besides exist.With the division contest just 2 days away, I practiced my speech at another Toastmasters club in hopes of some … Read More
3 Steps To Overcome Self-Conscious Thoughts About Your Voice
How Your Voice Contributes To Your NervousnessWho are you? Your gesturing, your style of speaking, your voice (trying to sound like Darth Vader even though you sound like Pee Wee Herman?), the content you choose to speak about (do you give a crap about your topic?), and lastly, the words you use (do you intentionally use jargon instead of simpler words that mean … Read More
The Truth About Filler Words [Ah’s and Um’s]
Ah. Umm. Uhh. And-so-uh-umm-hmm-urrr. Filler words. Evil filler words. Last week at a Toastmasters meeting we had a discussion about filler words and their role in public speaking, or more precisely, whether they should have a role or not. In Toastmasters, there is something called an “Ah Counter.” Can you guess what they do? I don’t want to insult your … Read More
Find An Audience Who Gives A $h!#
“You can’t please everybody.” Have you heard that before? I have. It’s accurate. There are many different tastes, preferences, perspectives, values, morals, standards, etc. Here’s why this is important. When you decide to put yourself “out there,” you open yourself up to criticism and people’s opinions—and they have every right to offer them. Usually opinions and harsh criticism can hurt … Read More
Power Words Will Flat Out Make You More Interesting When You Speak
Just like some acid trips are better than others, there are words that are better than other words, too. Therefore, word choice is a hell of a drug. I wrote a chapter about the importance of using the right words in my book The Perfectionist’s Guide To Public Speaking, and in this post I’m going to build on it. We’re going to … Read More
The Ultimate Reason Why You Should Overcome Your Fear Of Public Speaking
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my mission on this planet (and this site!). How do you explain to someone a feeling or a frame of mind that they’ve never experienced? How can you articulate the real power behind something life-changing?For starters, here it is in words: To help others overcome the fear of public speaking so they can … Read More
