Anytime is Speech-Time

Welcome to Speech-Time exclusive. Building public speaking skills is more than a one-time thing, and that's why we're writing this e-zine! Every other week, we'll give you the opportunity to take your public speaking to the next level.

---

If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward."

If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting Speech-Time.com.

---

This week, we'll be talking about...

Public Speaking Social Skills

1. News: A personal message, management changes, your contributions, buying speeches.

2. "Quotes To Speak By"

3. Building Social Skills for Public Speaking



News

A Personal Message

First off, a personal item you should be aware of. For the next while, instead of writing about public speaking, I'll be doing it in some form or another almost full-time. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons.

Why does that matter?

Well, young men in the church often serve two year proselyting missions. You might have seen the Mormon missionaries - they go around in pairs, usually in black suits, white dress shirts, and black name tags. For the next two years, I'll be doing the same thing. Full time teaching and speaking. (If you'd like to find out more about the Mormon church, visit www.mormon.org.

I hope to return with more valuable skill and experiences that I can share with you.

In the meantime...

There's some management changes.

I'll be turning over management of the website to Diane Bean, a lady who you can rely on to carry on providing great public speaking tips and tutorials. I've heard Diane speak to business groups and church congregations, and she has judged speech competitions on the national level. She'll be contributing her skills by writing this e-zine and managing submissions.

Your contributions.

Finally, because it is still a fairly new feature, I'd like to remind you that you can contribute content to the site in a number of ways and on a variety of topics. If you have something to share about public speaking, share it!

Professional Speeches You Can Buy

While Speech-Time.com is all about writing speeches, we know that sometimes everyone gets short on time - at least, I do! So I just reviewed a couple of websites where you can buy professionally-written speeches for those times when you just can't get your ready. Check them out at What to Do When You Need A Speech FAST.



2. "Quotes To Speak By"

This week's quote comes from Michel de Montaigne, a French essayist.

"Our speech has its weaknesses and its defects, like all the rest. Most of the occasions for the troubles of the world are grammatical."

So fix your grammar ;-).



3. Building Social Skills for Public Speaking

What is public speaking but private speaking writ large? To be a better speaker, get better with people. Here are some exercises I've found useful to develop public speaking social skills.

• Make eye contact. The next time you're talking with someone, look them right in the eye. What are their eyes say? What are your eyes saying? If this makes you uncomfortable, start out just making eye contact with the people you pass walking by. Try to not be the first to look away.
• Ask questions. Good speeches talk to people and address their concerns and needs. Ask people questions, then really listen. Try to let them talk more than you. When the conversation wanes, get them talking again with another question.
• Tell stories. Next time you're with a group, tell a couple of stories. Note which ones get the best reaction. Work them into your next speech.

All of these exercises will prepare you better for giving your big speeches. Public speaking is just private speaking writ large.

Happy speaking!

P.S. Public speaking is my profession, enabled by Speech-Time.com. To find out how you can do the same and make your passion your profession, visit my About Us web page. or check out SiteSell.com