Reading bedtime stories to children can make you a better speaker.

Do you read your kids bedtime stories? 

I'm 11 years older than my youngest sister, so I've been reading bedtime stories all my life.  I read her The Lorax so often I can still recite it by memory many years later (which comes in handy with my niece and nephews, especially on car journeys).

Great speech making and presentations are always about telling a story and connecting with an audience. The more you practice story-telling the better. 

Reading aloud Kids' books is not only fun, it also helps you develop a sense of rhythm, practice different characterisations, and get comfortable hearing the sound of your own voice. It's a safe space to be silly and try new things because, let's face it, kids aren't exactly a demanding audience.  

The feedback they most often give is "Again!!!" 

Young children are happy to hear a story over and over (and over) again, which gives you the chance to practice. 

So if you want to be better at presentations, try reading a few bedtime stories to kids.  It's fun, it's good for family bonding, and it's great practice for speaking.

Speaking tips from Santa

It's Christmas time, so, in a light-hearted vein, here are some lessons we can learn about speaking, especially professional speaking, from all those hard-working Santas out there:

1. If in doubt adopt a friendly smile and jovial demeanour.
2. Santas always start by asking children what they want for Christmas. You too can ask questions of your audience - and then you can tailor your response to them. Knowing what your audience wants and expects can help you deliver.
3. Sometimes your audience are not the people paying for the "gifts" you bring. You sometimes need to serve both the recipient of the "gift" and the person paying for it. Be alert for cues! Don't over-promise what you can't deliver or there will be tears before bed-time.
4. It pays to look the part. People may doubt you are "The Real Santa" but careful attention to costume will help. If you are speaking and want to look credible, thinking about what you wear is a good idea. Dress to fit expectations, and make sure your clothing is functional (if you use a lapel microphone, have somewhere to carry it and somewhere to pin it)
5. When things go wrong - your beard falls off, or you fall over, see Tip number 1. If you look comfortable your audience will be comfortable too.
6. Often a percentage of your audience won't want to be there. Adults in audiences usually don't burst into tears (except on the inside). But, sometimes their heart isn't in it and they will want to be somewhere else. Often this is not your fault - it's because their blood sugar is low, or they need an after-lunch nap. Accept it as a natural part of your speaking life and see point number 1.
7. Sometimes you may need to be "bigger" when playing the speaking/Santa role than you are in real life. Santas use padding, and use bigger gestures and use their biggest voice to say "Ho Ho Ho". You don't need padding, but you can use bigger gestures, and your most resonant chest voice.
8. Saying "Ho Ho Ho!" in a resonant Santa voice is a good speaking warm-up.
9. As is reciting the "Night before Christmas". Try the following articulation exercise: "Now Dasher ,Now Dancer, Now Prancer and Vixen, Come Comet, Come Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen" Now try it after having a cookie and a bottle of beer...
10. For Santa, like speakers, it is best to save the bottle of beer until after the presents have been delivered!
    

Happy Christmas! Tips for Speakers will return in the New Year!