Communication

Before reading the newsletter, I encourage you to view the following videos. The first one is an interview with Caroline Kennedy. The following two links are similar in content, but the second one has a slight twist. You only need to listen to the first 30 seconds of each to get the point:

(This edition of the newsletter is also available as a podcast.)

If you had been in my shoes, you would have been as frustrated as I was. Imagine that your barbecue burner is no longer working correctly. When you turn it on, only half of the grill becomes hot. The rest is as cold as a dark February night. What would you do? Right! But let's say you couldn't afford to go to the restaurant every day to have someone cook your meals for you, what then?

When you speak to people, do you inadvertently put ideas in their heads that are the complete opposite of what you want them to think?

In previous newsletters you saw that in order to get your point across more effectively, you need to use stories or examples. But what constitutes a good story or example?

Often, when you need to make a speech, it is to ask something of your audience. Sometimes you want to ask for their time, sometimes their money, sometimes you want information.

In today's newsletter, I will teach you one of the most important aspects of public speaking.

In today's newsletter, you will learn one of the most important aspects of public speaking.

Which of the preceding statements do you find most appealing? Why?

Take a moment to think about it before reading on.

At a recent dinner with friends the conversation turned to TV ads. Every time they mentioned an ad, they would talk about the funny elements and laugh about them. My wife and I are not big TV watchers; we felt out of sync.

This week I went to many parties where I had the opportunity to make some observations about humour. Although these observations occurred during a party, they can also be applied to your next speech.

Humour is something that is difficult to succeed at every time. However, if you apply the following tips, you have a better chance of making people laugh.