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Oct 29

How to Start a Speech When Speaking in China

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

Hey Todayers,

In 17 days I am giving 15 speeches here in China! We are already off to a great start at our first stop in Beijing!

Speaker Leader Champion will be released in China in May 2015 and McGraw-Hill put on an event while we were there to about 200+ students at the University of Foreign Languages! It was awesome to see so many young people interested in public speaking!

I wanted to make it a point to start every speech with a couple sentences of Chinese. It has been a combination of a lot of practice, asking several friends to listen to my pronunciation (which apparently sounds like I am from Japan) and me being scared I am saying a completely different word because of their focus on tones.

Here is one of the venues from yesterday. We also spoke at Motorola for HR managers and during the D85 Toastmasters event! Thank you to D85 and D89 for bringing us out here and for McGraw-Hill in China for coordinating this event!

If you want to know how to start a speech when speaking in China, I would highly recommend you learn some Chinese.

This catches the audience’s attention, shows that you care and lets them know you are interested in being there! It worked for me during all three of my speeches yesterday. Here is what you can say:

1) Hi Everyone!
2) How are you doing today?
3) My name is (BLANK)
4) I am happy to be with you!
5) This is my first time speaking in China!
6) I have already enjoyed great food!
7) I am having a great time here!

8) I don’t speak Chinese (So I will speak in English now)
END: Thank you everyone!

We are off to the Great Wall today! I will post an “adventures of public speaking” video this Friday and I look forward to sharing more with you soon! Enjoy the rest of your week and as always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

p.s. We can not access Facebook, Twitter or Instagram in China so we will not be able to share this on our social media accounts or communicate via social media.

Oct 10

Love0

Avoid these 3 things when speaking on stage!

By Ryan Avery Communication, Motivation 4 Comments

Here are three things you need to take into consideration the next time you speak on stage:

Avoid stepping backwards when trying to make a point: Think of the stage being divided into two parts. Draw a line in the middle of the stage parallel to the front row; call it the front and the back. Every time you step toward the back it indicates three things to the audience; A negative view point, moving them into the past, or indicating you are uncomfortable. If someone tries to kiss you–and you’re not interested–what is your natural reaction? You move backwards. It’s the same when you speak. If you move backwards while trying to make a positive point, your body and its actions do not align with your words. Step forward to make a powerful point and to show the audience you are not nervous.

Avoid being too energetic at the start of your speech: I often see this when speakers try to get their audience pumped at the beginning of a meeting. Some of their listeners are just not into it. They lose them for the entire presentation or speech. I have three levels of energy when I am on stage: Low, medium and high. I start with medium energy to “test the waters” and see which way I want to take the audience. Beginning with too high or too low an energy level risks your audience tuning out your entire presentation. Start out with medium energy.

Avoid making assumptions about the audience: Please don’t say things like “I know what you are thinking” or “I bet you like/don’t like XYZ.” Unless you are 100% sure of what your audience does or doesn’t like, don’t say it! Never make assumptions about your audience. No matter how good you are, you do not know what everyone is thinking! Instead, say things like “What I was thinking after this was” or “I know not everyone might like XYZ.”

Avoid these common mistakes aspiring speakers make the next time you get in front of a group of people! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Jul 07

Love0

9 Quotes You Should Pay Attention To

By Ryan Avery Communication 6 Comments

From hologram musicians to $35,000 live auction paddle raises, to meeting some of my speaking heroes, to learning about speaking bureaus, to content so good it makes your head swell and to friendships started that will last a lifetime, the 2014 NSA Convention was an event everyone should have attended (speakers and non-speakers a like).

As we move forward in growing the brand of NSA to now be referred to as Platform, I wanted to share with you quotes that if you read and implement will change your life and those you serve. They are taken from speakers I met this weekend who impacted my life. Please read these, digest these and revisit these as they are not meant to inspire you for brief moments but to light a fire in you that will help take your skills to the next level.

9 quotes you should pay attention to…

Are you trying to be perfect?
“The greatest damage to excellence is the pursuit of perfection.” – Alan Weiss (click to tweet)

Feel like you are not motivated to accomplish more?
“Always be happy, never be satisfied.” – Jim Jacobus (click to tweet)

Are you taking enough risks today?
“It pays to be risky.” – Eric Whal (click to tweet)

Are you being good, great or working to become the best?
“Everyone should ask themselves everyday… “What am I doing today, to make my craft better?” – Eric Chester (click to tweet)

What are you doing to build a loyal following?
“Give away everything you know, one bite at a time.” – Jay Baer (click to tweet)

Are you being a thought leader or someone who just passes though life?
“Create goals that don’t exist.” – Mike Rayburn (click to tweet)

What does it mean to really listen?
“When you rearrange the word LISTEN you end up with SILENT. Are you really listening?” – Freddie Ravel (click to tweet)

How are you interacting with your fans on a regular bases?
“Content is king but engagement is queen and she rules the house.” – Mari Smith (click to tweet)

What are you doing everyday to get used to change?
“If you don’t like change, you won’t like being irrelevant even more.” – Adam Witty (click to tweet)

Take one of the quotes today, write it down and put it next to your computer. You are capable of so much and sometimes all you need is a quick reminder!

Take time to consider being part of Platform (formally known as National Speakers Association) and learn how to grow your business, expand your network and provide value to those you serve in today’s changing world. As always…

Dream BIG,

Ryan

Question: Which one is your favorite and why? If you liked one of the quotes, please share this article with your friends by pressing one of the social media buttons below and let’s help them get inspired!