Becoming British was somthing I did as soon as they allowed me to do so. I had indefinite leave to remain stamped in my passport, but for me, that was like being a houseguest. I wanted to be part of the family. It was ridiculously easy. All I had to do was live in the UK the required length of time, get 2 people to sign for me, pay the amount they asked, fill out the paperwork and poof! About a month later I got a certificate of British citizenship. No fuss, no ceremony, just here you go. It used to be so easy. Too easy in fact, although I've never regretted doing it.
When I used to do Stand Up (not so much now- it's a young person's game!) I would always pretend I was in the pub or at a party telling a story to a group of close friends, which in a way I was. Another tip someone gave to me was imagine all the audience are in the buff....I've never tried this to be honest......although maybe only the once!
So many awesome tips, thank you. I always thought doing the ‘I’m nervous ‘ at the beginning was a way to get the audience to warm to you but I see that now it isn’t the way to go. 😊
This is the best advice on public speaking I’ve ever read! I’ve never before thought to consider how you want your audience to feel and what you want them to get out of it - such a great tip
I love this! I had a very clever ex - went to Oxford, don’t you know 😉 - who was to give a speech on the topic of an Irish sport. He wrote an excellent speech but it was excellent when read, as per a newspaper piece or an essay. It was a disaster when he delivered it in front of a crowd immediately after the previous speaker (a professor) who had been funny and down to earth. It bombed. He sounded clunky and high-handed and didn’t connect with the audience at all. I died of embarrassment for him as he ploughed on, obviously reading (rather than having learned by heart) his over-intellectual take, and knowing himself as he read that he was failing dismally to connect with the audience. Another observation: on the rare occasions I go to Mass these days I’m always irritated by the readers of the readings and prayers of the faithful. They inevitably mumble, read too fast and never look up at the congregation. If you’re going to speak or read in public, make an effort to at least slow down, speak clearly and acknowledge your audience!
Love this Jo, great advise. Being dyslexic let me talk any day. Now writing is a different challenge.
Play to your strengths and dare to try, is my advise which is everything you just said. Thank you XX
This is good.
Becoming British was somthing I did as soon as they allowed me to do so. I had indefinite leave to remain stamped in my passport, but for me, that was like being a houseguest. I wanted to be part of the family. It was ridiculously easy. All I had to do was live in the UK the required length of time, get 2 people to sign for me, pay the amount they asked, fill out the paperwork and poof! About a month later I got a certificate of British citizenship. No fuss, no ceremony, just here you go. It used to be so easy. Too easy in fact, although I've never regretted doing it.
Some great tips Jo.
When I used to do Stand Up (not so much now- it's a young person's game!) I would always pretend I was in the pub or at a party telling a story to a group of close friends, which in a way I was. Another tip someone gave to me was imagine all the audience are in the buff....I've never tried this to be honest......although maybe only the once!
Useful article. Thanks!
So many awesome tips, thank you. I always thought doing the ‘I’m nervous ‘ at the beginning was a way to get the audience to warm to you but I see that now it isn’t the way to go. 😊
Love this. Thanks so much for sharing
This is the best advice on public speaking I’ve ever read! I’ve never before thought to consider how you want your audience to feel and what you want them to get out of it - such a great tip
I love this! I had a very clever ex - went to Oxford, don’t you know 😉 - who was to give a speech on the topic of an Irish sport. He wrote an excellent speech but it was excellent when read, as per a newspaper piece or an essay. It was a disaster when he delivered it in front of a crowd immediately after the previous speaker (a professor) who had been funny and down to earth. It bombed. He sounded clunky and high-handed and didn’t connect with the audience at all. I died of embarrassment for him as he ploughed on, obviously reading (rather than having learned by heart) his over-intellectual take, and knowing himself as he read that he was failing dismally to connect with the audience. Another observation: on the rare occasions I go to Mass these days I’m always irritated by the readers of the readings and prayers of the faithful. They inevitably mumble, read too fast and never look up at the congregation. If you’re going to speak or read in public, make an effort to at least slow down, speak clearly and acknowledge your audience!
Love this! I second the recommendation for Viv Groskop’s How To Own The Room - it’s fab on audio too