Presentation Pointers - June 2009

June was nonstop: birthdays, graduations, Father's Days, PresentationCampLA and one last trip up north this past weekend to see my niece star in her dance recital. I'm looking forward to some down time in July. Or at least catching up on my sleep. 

PresentationCampLA was a blast! If you weren't able to make it, fear not: we will definitely be hosting more of these events. For my take on the "unconference," read my blog post here.

Summer around here is not what you would expect if you're not from Southern California. Santa Barbara and other coastal cities experience what's called, "June Gloom." Most mornings are overcast and the sun doesn't come out until the afternoon. For me, this is perfect. I can focus on work and working out in the morning, and by the time I'm ready to go out and do errands, the weather has cleared up! I'm also enjoying the nectarines, apricots and cherries I wait for all year long. Mmm, summer!

That's me. What's new with you?

News

~ Interview in Pomona College Magazine

I'm honored to have been interviewed for my alma mater's spring 2009 issue for a column called "Expert Advice!" Check out the interview and my brief public speaking tips.

And if you went to Pomona College, say hey!

~ Santa Barbara News-Press interview now posted on my website

As I mentioned last month, the News-Press ran an article titled "Everyday Tweeple," about Santa Barbara Twitter users. I'm one of the featured users, sharing my tips and how I use Twitter for business and pleasure. The article is now up on my website, if you'd like to read it!

~ Reminder: Speak Schmeak is now available for the Kindle

If you have a Kindle and you like to read blogs, you can now subscribe to your favorite blogs on the Kindle through Amazon.com. Subscribe to Speak Schmeak here!

~ Reminder: A few CDs left at special sale price

I'm having a 33%-off sale on my "7-Week Shortcut to Public Speaking Confidence" CDs. The packaging is bare bones, and I now have a better system for labeling and packaging, so I'd like to clear these out to make room for the new, more professional-looking batch.

There are 19 CDs left at 33% off the regular price. When they're gone, they're gone. They have the same content as the downloadable e-course; you'll just get it by snail mail instead of e-mail!

If you've been looking for a public speaking self-study course, now is the time to snatch up this great deal!

More info and purchase here.

Blog 

In the Speak Schmeak blog this month, I complained about dictionary definitions as filler, suggested making a commitment, revealed Charlton Heston's shy side, encouraged playing big, discouraged being a greedy speaker, reviewed two graduations, pointed out that we're all selling something, and more!

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Connect

~ Network

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My only request is that, if you want to connect, you let me know who you are! Tell me you're a newsletter subscriber or blog reader, so I know why I know you.

~ Chat

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Feature Article ~ Use Metaphor to Engage and Entertain

Hubby and I are big Tour de France fans, having been known in the past to get out of bed in time for a 5:30 a.m. stage start. In honor of the 2009 Tour de France, starting July 4, here's a blog post I wrote two years ago about the use of metaphor in Phil Liggett's and Paul Sherwen's always entertaining cycling commentary. 

More on Metaphor - Le Tour (from July 23, 2007) 

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen have been cycling commentators for a combined total of about 50 years, and they've honed their skills to such a degree of sharpness that they can keep up their smooth patter no matter what is happening in the race (yesterday a man came into view of the camera running alongside the riders in nothing but a g-string; Phil quipped, "Pretty fit athlete there," and kept going with the commentary.) 

Phil and Paul use metaphor as a way to dramatize the event and bring it to life for those of us who don't get to experience the race in person. When a viewer is watching three to five hours of cycling a day for three weeks, some of the stages can be uneventful. This is where the commentators' talents are most handy, engaging the audience, keeping them focused and keeping the viewers entertained with stories about the riders, explanations of cycling strategy and historical facts about the race. 

Where Phil is more subtle with his commentary, Paul is dramatic. As riders start to fall behind, Paul says, "The elastic is starting to stretch." Sometimes it even "snaps." As a rider picks up the pace going up a mountain, he says, "He's putting the hammer down." He talks about riders being "possessed," "going through purgatory" and "dragging their bodies up the summit." Yesterday, someone was even "in death throes." I can always count on Paul to throw in some great hyperbole. Even though I've heard many of his sayings over and over, I always find his commentary informative and entertaining. 

Phil uses British expressions like, "That rider's in a spot of bother," poetic phrases like "dancing on the pedals," and understated humor like the comment above about the nearly nude man. Phil takes pity on riders, calling whoever is "falling off the back," "Poor old (insert name here)." One of my favorites: "turning a pedal in anger." 

Here are Paul's written daily reports, and here are Phil's. In their writing, you can almost "hear" each man's voice, distinctive and full of imagery. 

Metaphor, examples, analogies, stories: All are methods to color your words with imagery to help the audience see what they can only imagine. How can you use metaphor more actively with your audiences?

If you're new to the Tour, here's an article with some interesting Tour history, cycling terms and trivia. Here's a more complete glossary of cycling terms. 

And if you happen to be a fan, you might enjoy this Phil and Paul bingo game to play during the race; each square contains one of their well-known sayings.

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