world champion of public speaking »

Aug 15

The 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking is…

By Ryan Avery Motivation No Comments

We have a new 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking for Toastmasters International!

They just crowned the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking in Las Vegas and wow…what a contest!

Every year thousands of people across the globe watch live to see who will be crowned the World Champion of Public Speaking.

With a speech titled, the Power of Words, Mohammed Abdullah Qahtani, took the stage and came out victorious!

More than 30,000+ people from 135 countries competed this year for the 2015 World Championship of Public Speaking and now Toastmasters has a new reigning Champion.

Congratulations Mohammed Abdullah Qahtani!

From all of your Toastmaster peers and friends, we wish you the best of luck on your new journey as the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking.

Represent us well, help grow our organization and keep using your voice to make a difference! As always…

Dream BIG,

Ryan

Let the world know about the new 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking! Spread the news by clicking on a social button below!

Jan 30

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My 4 Favorite Speeches of 2014

By Ryan Avery Communication, Motivation No Comments

I watch TED talks every week. Sometimes, I lose track of time as I watch speech after speech soaking up knowledge and critiquing a speaker’s style.

In 2014 I heard four different speakers who each moved me in different ways. Here are my four favorite speeches in 2014 and why:

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi: The 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking rocked the stage in Kuala Lumpur at the Toastmasters International Convention. He had the world captivated with his message and is doing a great job representing the organization!

Edward Snowden: What I loved about this speech is how we can utilize technology to get our voice heard. We no longer need to be on stage to share a message. This speech is inspiring, futuristic, and insightful. You can see the government’s response to Snowden’s speech here. In my opinion, whether you agree with Snowden or not, he did a much better job presenting. You can tell why how you present makes just as much of a difference as what you present.

Simon Sinek: I may or may not have a man crush on Simon Sinek. He is genuine, full of knowledge and uses his voice to create better leaders. His books are fantastic and his speaking style and ability is of the quality of Ziglar and Robbins. His speech inspires me to be a better leader and motivates me to “up my game” as a speaker!

I realize there are no women on this list and I am going to do a much better job this year keeping my eyes open for amazing females who rock the world with their voice!

What were some of your favorite speeches of 2014? If you know of someone who moved you last year, please share in the comments below! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Jan 23

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The 5 Best Books for Speakers

By Ryan Avery Communication, Motivation 6 Comments

Here are the best books for speakers. These five books have changed my personal and professional life in some way or another when it comes to being a better speaker:

Million Dollar Consulting. This book is hands-down the best business book I have read on public speaking and consulting. If you read only one book on the business side of speaking and consulting, let it be this one! It is life changing!

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln. This was the book I read which helped me win the world championship of public speaking in 2012. I still utilize the tools in this book. Anyone serious about speaking on stage needs to pick up a copy!

Speaker Leader Champion. Yes, I wrote this book with Jeremey Donovan, but more importantly–what this book allowed me to do was dive deeper into public speaking and the art and science behind motivating people on stage. I learned more from writing this book than I have from any other thing I have done as a speaker. It is for those looking to excel in the workplace through the power of public speaking. I recommend for anyone wanting to teach a subject to write a book about it, first. It forces you to focus, research, and find stories that can help your target audience.

Stop Talking, Start Communicating. I was handed a copy of this book by my publisher. It changed the way I communicate on a day-to-day basis. Those who are searching for ways to improve the way they communicate on and off stage need to pick up a copy of Geoffrey’s book!

Confessions of a Public Speaker. This book gives great insight into why people are afraid of public speaking, what it is really like being a professional speaker, and why everyone is not fit for it in the first place! It’s a great read filled with tips, stories, and strategies for those of us who call ourselves speakers.

Read and implement the strategies found in one of these five books this year and watch your personal and professional life strengthen immediately! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Question: What other books do you recommend? Leave your answers in the comments below!

Dec 15

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4 Things You Should Know About Your Followers

By Ryan Avery Leadership No Comments

One reason I like to blog, speak, and train is because it builds a community around those who have big dreams and want to accomplish them! I like pulling people together to make things happen and to build a team for those who want to work hard toward accomplishing their goals. My community is made of what we call “Todayers!”

Todayer: One who takes advantage of today, plans for tomorrow, and works towards accomplishing a big dream!

In order for you to build a community and understand your followers, there are four things you should know about them at all times:

1) How do they like to digest and view your content? I am a speaker, not a writer. Even so, half of my audience enjoys reading blog posts instead of watching videos. I do record videos, but I also take time to write it out to give people what they want. Just because you like to deliver your information in one format does not mean that is how your audience likes to digest it!

2) What is cohesively holding your community of followers together? What is the one thing that all followers have in common? For Todayers, we all go after BIG dreams. We like to accomplish things and then move on to the next. We like to help others accomplish their dreams, and we like to have fun doing it. Our common thread is accomplishing BIG dreams! What holds your community together?

3) What problems do they face on a regular basis? Todayers can face procrastination, lack of motivation, lack of clarity in goal setting or purpose; my goal is to provide secrets, strategies and insights to keep them motivated to pursue their dreams and to be honest and open about going after mine.

4) What motivates them to share your content and stick around? Do you need giveaways, webinars, and/or consistent content posted weekly? Ask them what motivates them to stick around. I am still working on this as more than 40% of my monthly visitors are new, and out of those almost 30% leave each month. I have to do a better job of finding out what keeps them coming back to me (if you are a regular reader, I would love your insight in the comments below).

Know your followers and give them what they want because most often they are giving you what you want; a voice and opportunity to help change the world! When you are ready to become a Todayer, and join 200+ others, sign up to get articles like this one by filling out your email in the right-hand corner of this page.

We have some fun things coming up in 2015 for all Todayers and we hope you will join us. We are excited to learn about what you want to accomplish! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Dec 10

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The 12 Photo Challenge on 12/12

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

Where has 2014 gone? I still can remember partying like it was 1999 as we shot off fire-works on the street in my hometown neighborhood in Houston, TX and thinking how crazy the world would be in ten years! Well, it is 15 years later and here we are!

So what better way to remember this year than taking a night and looking at all of your photos from 2014. All of them!

But here is the challenge! Go through all your photos and remember all your ups and downs, twists and turns, and lessons you learned along the way. Choose twelve photos that stand out for you the most–twelve photos that depict your year!

Pick these twelve photos and share them with us on Facebook on 12/12. Include the following information when you share your blog article or photo album:

NAME: 12 photos for 12/12
(Example: Ryan Avery: 12 photos for 12/12)

Here is text for the album or blog description:
Several of us are getting together to go through all of our photos this year and selecting twelve photos that highlight the best, worst, happiest, saddest, coolest, adventurous, or most terrifying moments of our year!

Here is the hashtag for the album and photos:
When sharing your photos or article on social media use: #12x12x12 so we can all follow each other and see what others post. Tell us about your year’s greatest lessons, stories, insights, sorrows, and triumphs! Let’s see how we can portray our year using twelve photos from the past twelve months!

I am looking forward to seeing your albums and seeing what photos you pick for 2014! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Dec 08

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3 Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone Today

By Ryan Avery Family & Personal Life No Comments

Whether introverted or extraverted, we can all expand our comfort zone. Here are three ways to expand your comfort zone starting today:

1) Walk into a store and try something on you can’t afford. I did this last week with a Dolce and Gabbana jacket. Wow! It made me feel uncomfortable. The jacket was priced more than my first car! You could tell that all the store clerks knew I was not going to buy it. Go into any Gucci, Tiffany’s, even a Lamborghini dealership and try it out! It will boost your confidence all while expanding your comfort zone.

2) Talk to someone to whom you would never usually speak. Perhaps a homeless person on the street, or someone who has a different sexual orientation, skin color, gender, or race than you! We will all benefit the more all of us get along and become comfortable with each other.

3) Say yes to something that you’ve never tried. Go skydiving or bungee jumping. Go to a new restaurant. Order a different drink at an unfamiliar bar! Say Yes, and see what adventures await you!

Expand your comfort zone because the more comfortable you are the more confident you will feel. I challenge you to try one of these things today and see how big your comfort zone becomes. I bet it will expand by at least 20 feet! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Dec 03

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2014 Holiday Special for Toastmasters

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

Happy Holidays to my Toastmasters family! What a year this has been and I am so excited to be starting my fourth year as a Toastmaster in 2015!

Highlights of my 2014 Toastmasters Year

Earned my first DTM
Toastmaster of the Year for District 7
Gave speeches in 12 Districts including the US, Canada and China!
Completed the 2013-2014 North America Tour
Attended the International Convention in Kuala Lumpur
Helped Start Competitive Speakers Clubs Around The World
Co-authored the #1 Best-Selling book on Amazon, Speaker Leader Champion, that shows you the power of Toastmasters and what it can do for our careers

Because you have supported me so much this year, I wanted to put together a special promotion for my Toastmaster family! This discount is for Toastmasters and $5 of each sale will go to support the MFA Grant; where Chelsea and I pay the first year of membership dues to those who are 18-25 and cannot afford joining.

Your Toastmaster Holiday Special Package is Perfect For:

Toastmaster Clubs
Club Members
Aspiring Speakers
Family and Friends
And of course yourself!

I hope you take advantage of this offer as it will help us support more young people to be able to join Toastmaster clubs around the world! In addition, the package will show you how to be a better speaker and leader and show you how you can use your voice to make a difference in 2015!

I hope you have an amazing Holiday Season! Let’s keep making things happen for Toastmasters and our fellow members around the world. Let’s keep growing as speakers, leaders and champions and let’s always remember to…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

P.S. I only have a limited amount of these so first come first serve.
GET ALL THREE PRODUCTS: ONLY $49.00 + FREE SHIPPING (US ONLY)
OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 5^th
(or while supplies last).

– Or –

Signed Book: $29.00 each
Two-CD Set: $29.00 each
Push Past it DVD: $29.00 each

What do you get in this package?

BOOK: Signed copy of Speaker Leader Champion: Succeed at Work Through The Power of Public Speaking

After reading this book filled with 90+ speaking strategies, you will understand how to:

1) Gain the speaking edge and how to develop/deliver engaging stories
2) Use humor, body language and stories like a champ
3) Manage fear and anxiety while speaking

* PLUS: You get the transcripts from 12 World Championships speeches and inside tips from 12 World Champions on how to be an influential speaker!
______________________________________________________

CD SET: The Averys’ Strategies: 30+ secrets, insights and tips for winning the World Championship of Public Speaking

In this two-hour, two-cd set, you will uncover:

1) Key components in delivering a World Championship Speech!
2) How to keep your audience engaged with your every word!
3) How to deal with nerves and feel confident on stage!
4) What it takes to practice like a champion vs. how most people practice!
______________________________________________________

DVD: Push Past It: The evolution of a competitive speech

In this one-hour DVD, you will learn what it means to:

1) Have your wife as your coach and get your loved ones on board with your big dreams!
2) What it’s like to have another World Champion as your mentor and what they can teach you!
3) What goes into making a six minute winning speech!
4) Why you (yes, you) should compete in the International contest!

______________________________________________________

GET ALL THREE PRODUCTS: ONLY $49.00 + FREE SHIPPING (US ONLY)
OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 5^th

(or while supplies last).

– Or –

Signed Book: $29.00 each
Two-CD Set: $29.00 each
Push Past it DVD: $29.00 each

Dec 01

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9 Reasons Why You Haven’t Accomplished That Goal of Yours

By Ryan Avery Motivation One Comment

So you have this goal! Well, kind of. You have this idea that you have for a goal or something that sounds really cool, but you haven’t accomplished it yet nor have you even told anyone about it because you are afraid that if you do, it might come true or you will fail along the way!

Look, no one benefits from us being average. So, step it up! It is time for you to go after that BIG dream or lofty goal of yours. Wouldn’t you rather fight for something you love doing than die doing something you hate?

We need you to accomplish your goals. We’ll all benefit. It is selfish of you not to go for it because the world is better when your story, your message, your ideas, products or services are shared!

So, if you are making excuses about why you can’t accomplish your goals I am here to tell you that there are nine reasons why you really haven’t accomplished them:

1) You don’t even know what you want. Your goal needs to be SMART. Make it very clear that you know exactly what you want. It is easier to get to a destination if you know where you are going rather than hoping you stumble across it along the way!

2) You haven’t written it down. If you are afraid to write it down, how are you going to get your body to do it? And you can’t just write it down; you need to post it up where you read it everyday!

3) You haven’t told people. Let people help you get to where you want to go. No successful person has ever accomplished anything of value without the help from others. People love to help other people. It is in our nature. They just need to be asked and informed about what it is you want to accomplish.

4) You have not committed to making your goal a priority. Goals have to be a daily priority. You have to stop saying things like “tomorrow” or “when I get this, I will then do XYZ.” Make it a priority!

5) You are afraid of failing. Failure sucks. It really does. It is embarrassing, it is hard, it makes me want to pull my hair out at times. But anytime I fail (which seems to be more often than I would like these days) I remind myself that I am creating a better story. The more failures you have, the better story you have. People love stories, so fail and fail often!

6) You are afraid of succeeding. I am not going to lie. This has been one of the things that has stopped me from accomplishing my dreams more than anything. I like my life and my lifestyle. To pursue your dream means changing your lifestyle. It can be scary. But, we can’t let who we are meant to be hold us back. We should focus on what value we can bring and how many others we can lift up along the way!

7) You think you don’t have the right resources. This is BS! Sorry, but if you are reading this right now that means you have access to the internet and that is the greatest resource of all time. You have the right resources; you just might not know how to use them correctly to get what you want!

8) You don’t know anyone else doing what you want to do. It isn’t easy being a trailblazer, to venture down a path that has never been walked upon. It isn’t easy creating something when you don’t know if it will work or if people will accept it. However, it is worth it because all the things we have were once created by someone like you starting down a new trail!

9) You haven’t started. My favorite quote from Jim Rohn is “You do not have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great!” Too many people procrastinate. They don’t get anything done because they are afraid to get started. Start already. You are not supposed to know how to do it, you are supposed to know what you want to do. Learn along the way!

Go and accomplish those goals of yours! The world needs you to! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Nov 28

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If you want to be the best…

By Ryan Avery World Records No Comments

This article will be short and sweet! If you want to be the best, then all you need to know is this: the only competition is you! You can’t be the best by comparing or holding yourself to other people’s standards. If you want to be the best you need to do your best!

What are you doing today that will make you the best at what you do and remind yourself you have the potential to be number one in your desired category? Stop competing against others and start competing against yourself! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Nov 26

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3 Ways to Make a Thanksgiving Toast People Will Remember

By Ryan Avery Motivation One Comment

It’s time for the holidays and being a true Toastmaster I had to give you three ways to make a Thanksgiving toast people will remember! If you want to make an impression on those you are spending time with this holiday season try one of these three ideas:

1) Share a time your family (or those you are eating with) helped you this year: Most likely people around you have helped you accomplish something in your life this year! Let them know how much you appreciate them and what you learned along the way as they supported you! Relive an up or down moment but make sure to end with a positive story or inspirational thought that will leave everyone happy and thankful that you are in their life!

2) Put a note under everyone’s chair: Before everyone comes over, you can write a letter of thanks to each person who is coming over for dinner. Tape it under their chair if they have assigned seats or pass them out at dinner, but ask them to read it when they get home! Make a short toast to give thanks and remind them why they mean so much to you.

3) Initiate A “One Word” Toast: Start by sharing the power of one word and let everyone go around the room to say in one word what are they thankful for (some people will say things like family, health, love, house, kids or friends). Take photos throughout the night and remember their one word. The next morning in a subject line write their one word and then attach the photos with a message that says, “Me, too!”

Happy Thanksgiving Todayers! I am so thankful I have you in my life. You give me an outlet to share my voice, you have helped me learn so much along the way, and have truly made me into the speaker I am today! I would not be here without all of you, and I am so lucky to be able to do what I do! If I can remind you to do one thing today and forever it would always be…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

* Like these posts? Subscribe in the top right-hand corner of this page to receive articles every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Come on… it will be awesome!

Nov 17

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Chelsea’s China Quotes

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

To keep the “quote” tradition alive I wanted to show you that Chelsea is the same in China as she is the United States! Here are 10 quotes from Chelsea during our trip across the Pacific!

“I got you a cookie… but then I ate it!”
* In relation to her walking 25 feet to get me a cookie but it looking “too good” on the long walk back to our table that she had to eat it!

“Here help me hide these!”
* In relation to her grabbing seven cookies at another event and asking me to put some in my bag so people didn’t notice how many she took!

(I think Chelsea may or may not have a cookie problem).

“You need to do something with your hair and face!”
* In relation to me about to go on stage to speak in front of 500 people

“You are a cow! Fine, I will try it!”
* Me putting butter on my 3rd croissant I ate for breakfast

“No! I watch too many crime shows and I would know how to cover it up!”
* In relation to me saying, “That would be so sad if you accidentally killed me!”

“So… I got fries!”
* In relation to me asking what she got for breakfast

“Ok, I will stay awake for your presentation. I just got my second wind!”
* In relation to her being tired! Just curious… was there ever an option that she could sleep in the front row while I was speaking?

“Ahh, that kid kind of makes me want to have a kid…nope! Nope… never mind!”
* In relation to seeing this adorable little kid walk by us and as Chelsea said that, the boy sneezed on her

“They should test movies on me!”
* In relation to her watching a commercial and it making her cry

“I felt like I was just in a cologne ad!”
* In relation to being crammed in a tiny elevator with 10 Italian guys and a man’s hairy chest pressed up against Chelsea’s face while she stood in the middle

Remember to start your own quote book with your family, friends and loved ones. You can use those quotes in your speeches later and they make for good memories when you go back and read through them! Enjoy the start to your week and as always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan