Monday, January 20, 2014

Shaking Behind the Microphone #Giveaway

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I used to be so shy. When I was younger I wouldn't even order my own food at a restaurant. Now I stand in front of 30, 40+ college students three times a week, 2 hours each time, and lecture. Somehow I managed to get over the shyness.

I still get shy during certain situations. When I lecture to an audience that's older than me I get nervous. Such as making a speech at graduation time, a day where parents come to see the college (I'm supposed to be social), and at a time when I spoke to a room full of high school art teachers.

Daddy can't speak in crowds. He literally freezes up. I can. For some odd reason I like speaking to a full house, than a half of one. I find that there's more interaction if there's more people in the room.

I got Shaking Behind the Microphone Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking By: Jill Ammon Vanderwood to review, and giveaway.

I read it to relay information over to Daddy, share tips with my students, and seek out tips for myself.


About the Book:

The book has different segments from a variety of people. They talk about their fears in regards to public speaking, and ways to overcome them.

Some Tips from the Book:
  • Go to Toastmasters. My boss has talked about me going there. They focus on public speaking.
  • Keep hydrated, and eat normal hours. This couldn't be more true. I drink so much when I lecture. It helps to not have a dry mouth.  When I had to fast, I could barely function. You don't want to faint when you are lecturing.
  • Be yourself. When I first started teaching I was trying to act strict. I wanted to come off as a hard instructor, that expects a lot. That isn't me. Now I can joke around, and guess what? My students still work hard. They know what I want because I show them examples.
  • Practice to yourself. I don't always have time before every lecture to practice. In the beginning I had to go over things a lot! Now that I've been doing this teaching gig for 10 years, I can skip the lectures I know.
  • The more you do it, the better it gets. It's true!
  • Know the material. Most things I do know. There are times I cover things I don't. I have to research and practice those things more.
  • Get comfortable with the room you will be speaking in. Don't let the equipment in the room get in the way with your presentation. I see this happening a lot with freelance instructors. They don't know how to plug their computers into the monitor, and sound is foreign to them.
  • Ask if there are questions in the end. This opens the room up for further dialog.
  • Write down basics if needed on note cards. There is no need to write a book when presenting. Just the basics to keep things going.
  • Don't rely on the PowerPoint, or Keynote to present. This is the one I need to work on! Teaching in an art college, things can get pretty visual sometimes. I have to show students what I'm talking about to relay what I expect out of their work. I'm doing better about not looking at the screen when I talk.
About the Author: 

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is an author and speaker from Utah. She has written award winning nonfiction books, What's It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live and Drugs Make You Un-Smarter, co-authored with her teenage granddaughter. 

Jill takes on environmental and literacy causes, and she is an active fundraiser. Her husband is a professional Santa Claus, she is Mrs. Claus. 

Who Want to Win This Book?  

It's a really good read! Open to the US. A $12.99 value. On sale for $10.99.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

13 comments:

Theresa Mahoney said...

I seriously hate public speaking. I always get so tongue tied!

Elsie said...

This book sounds very interesting to me, and so worthwhile at any age!
I hope it comes my way, I would love to read it.

Elsie said...

This book sounds very interesting to me, and so worthwhile at any age!
I hope it comes my way, I would love to read it.

Elsie said...

From the author's page, I read that she and her husband are Mrs. Claus and Santa, how fun!

kmcgrew213 said...

i can't tell you how much i need this book.

i have struggled with public speaking and lack of self-confidence my entire life. i am a 5th year senior in college and this hurdle still exists for me. i try to push myself to challenge myself in terms of public speaking and knowing what to say, but to no avail. my biggest fear is that i will forget what to say, or that my face is red and sweating (which happens almost every time). there really isn't a big fear, its mostly i tell myself whats the worst that can happen? i stumble on my words a little bit? i get nervous? but its just this irrational thing that i cannot overcome. i believe it has something to do with always being ridiculed and talked down to by my mother growing up. also, the fact that i was ignored by my family and siblings for most of my life can also play a huge part in this (i'm starting to bear resemblance to Matilda [from the movie Matilda]; although not so drastic it is how i felt growing up much of the time.)

parents and relatives alike do not understand the pain and lifelong trauma their words and actions can play on a young child. i know i am not the only one but it is just a matter of believing in yourself and having the courage to overcome it, which i need!

kmcgrew213 said...

i learned that the author takes on environmental fundraising which is very similar to what i would like to do when i'm a little older. thanks!

Anonymous said...

I learned that the fear of public speaking (glossophobia) is more prevalent than I can imagine, affecting 75% of individuals. I get nervous usually, but I didn't know so many people felt the same way as I do.
-Jason Thompson

Anonymous said...

What scares me about speaking is the potential to be boring, to drone on and on, and to say something stupid.

-Jason Thompson

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway!!!

Unknown said...

I learned that the more you do public speaking the better you will become at it. I just need to start doing it more.

Unknown said...

I learned that the more you do public speaking the better you will become at it. I just need to start doing it more.

Unknown said...

I get scared at public speaking because i'm afraid of what the other people think of me.

Tandi Cortez-Rios said...

I learned that she along with her husband visit with hundreds of children during the Christmas season, playing professional Claus'. That's great!

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

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